wfn.org | LCMS President Comments on Bush Stem Cell Decision

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

LCMSNews -- No. 62
August 13, 2001

(Following is a response to President George W. Bush's stem-cell-research
speech by the Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president-elect of the 2.6
million-member Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.)

ST. LOUIS, August 10,2001 -- The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod applauds
President Bush's wise, prayerful decision not to allow federal funding to be
used for embryonic stem-cell research that destroys living human embryos.

Our church adheres to the fundamental truth that life begins at conception,
and so we are heartened by the President's continuing commitment to the
sanctity of human life -- to keeping these living, defenseless embryos off
limits to researchers.

As for the President's decision to allow federal funding for research on
existing stem-cell lines, again, we appreciate his prayerful, deliberative
approach in reaching a very difficult, even agonizing, decision.  Stem-cell
line technology, so new and fast developing, is outpacing the ability of
even our best theological and ethical minds to give it serious, reflective
discussion and come to consensus.

All who respect the sanctity of human life must be concerned about the
destruction of the embryos from whom these existing stem-cell lines have
been drawn.  The question then becomes, is it morally permissible, without
compromising our Christian principles regarding the value of human life from
the moment of conception, to use these lines in the hope of curing disease?
Or does our mere involvement with them, even after the fact of the
destruction of the embryos, still make us a party to that destruction?
These are issues our own church body must seriously ponder.

In the meantime, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod commends President
Bush's decision to set up a presidential commission of theologians,
ethicists and scientists to oversee stem-cell research.  By his action, the
President is showing that he will continue to grapple with this issue,
monitoring and staying abreast of all developments.  We commend him for his
forthright affirmation that "human life is a sacred gift of our Creator."

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