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Father Joseph L. Ziliak, Courier & Press article, Saturday, Aug.
28, 2004
What we know as simple understandings of life may have vast and widespread
implications. For example, what a person believes about the beginnings
of human life has a major impact on medical research and practice.
Stem cell research carried out quietly in laboratories meets the air
of publicity when funding is sought from Federal Government grants.
Some 70 illnesses are currently being treated using stem cells. The
names of the illnesses range from leukemia to lymphoma and many others
are mentioned as potential targets for treatment.
Damage from heart attacks and strokes, various types of cancer, anemia,
Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries are some of the illnesses
and ill effects of illness that are treated with adult stem cells.
It has also been reported that stem cells are used to grow new corneas
to restore sight to blind patients.
What marvels have already been wrought in the world of bio-medicine!
What is still to come?
Banks of stem cells have been instituted with Federal and private
funding to provide for potential future needs of individuals. That
is probably a point of discussion in itself, namely, do we really
want to live forever?
Actually, no one opposes stem cell research when it uses adult stem
cells. Adult stem cells can come from a late fetus onward. They come
from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or even fat.
The point where people differ is when embryonic stem cells are harvested.
These are available only upon the death of the embryo. For those who
see life beginning when a female egg is fertilized, the destruction
of the fetus is a killing of a human being. After all, if the fetus
is nurtured properly, it will be born into the world.
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are very young, and less likely
to be rejected by a patient's body. In addition, they have less risk
of carrying infections than those from older stem cells.
Using stem cells from umbilical cord blood taps into a huge potential
supply. The cords are usually simply disposed of rather than used
for potentially wonderful purposes. This potential is much like many
instances where by-products have become income producing goods.
It is rather ironic that the death of President Ronald Reagan brought
this issue to the public again. It was alleged that embryonic stem
cells could have spared him from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.
We don't know that for sure. We do know that President Reagan said
that if anyone is unsure of when life begins, "he should give
life the benefit of the doubt." He also stated, "tiny human
life has a God-given right to be protected by the law."
Some of these issues will continue to drive wedges between citizens.
We simply have not agreed upon the beginning of life. But for those
who see life from the time of conception, resolutions to problematic
situations will not be difficult. Our moral beliefs play an upfront
and major role in issues that may seem only political issues to others.
Father Joseph L. Ziliak is pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic
Parish in Newburgh.
