Hard Choices

I've found it interesting this week as I've followed the controversy over Michael J. Fox's political ad in support of embryonic stem cell research. If you haven't heard, in the ad the ravages of Parkinson's Disease are quite evident as Mr. Fox's body spasms and twitches. My heart really does go out to him. I know his life has been made much more difficult because of that disease. I'm all for the public being made more aware of exactly how diseases truly affect the body. I am of the opinion that for too long our society has looked the other way when it comes to the true nature of physical and mental challenges. It's as if some people think that if they don't look the beast in the eye, it will simply vanish.

So on one hand I say hooray to Mr. Fox for showing us what Parkinson's looks like. On the other hand, I must say I disagree with embryonic stem cell research. Here's why: because an embryo is a human life. Life begins at conception. It is not right for an innocent, unborn human life to end in order to save another life. The embryo has no choice in whether it wants to sacrifice its life for another's. So it is wrong to end its life.

I have thought long and hard about embryonic stem cell research because it has the potential to directly impact Evan's life and perhaps mine or someone else I love. But mostly because of what could be for Evan. There has been talk and a bit of research into the possibility that such a therapy that could "turn off" the effects of the extra chromosome that people who have Down's carry. So I face the question that many people have asked me over the last 18 years:if I could choose for Evan not to have Down's would I? Well, if God wants to miraculously heal him, absolutely! If there is a way to help Evan that does not involve compromising or ending another human life, born or unborn, I'm all for that. But I will not, ever, sacrifice an unborn human life in order to make my son's life "better" or "easier". Don't get me wrong, I am all for research that doesn't involve human embryos and pray that God will grant the scientists wisdom in finding cures for as many diseases as possible!

Parents of special needs kids face hard choices all the time. How much physical or speech therapy do we pursue and for how long? How hard do we push our kids to learn to read, to do math, to learn to be self-sufficient? What is the distinction between what we want for their lives and what they want for their own lives and whose decisions win in that battle? And one of my most awful questions as of late, if my child gets leukemia how much torture do I put him through to save his life, considering that he may not understand why all those painful things are being done to him?

The bottom line is this: God gives each of us life and we must live it in a way that both honors Him and helps all those around us. He tells us that no greater love does a person have than to lay down their own life for another. To me that also means that we must be willing to sacrifice the quality of our life to protect someone else if need be. Looking at life from an eternal viewpoint, to suffer for 50 years on this earth but to be able to stand before the Creator of All and know that I did not take another life in order to heal my own physical problems would make it worth the pain. If we have an assurance of eternal life, this "present suffering" as the Apostle Paul called it, will be worth it because we will live for eternity in the presence of God free from all pain and sorrow. To paraphrase a line from the movie "Gladiator" the choices we make today will echo through all eternity. May they be choices of mercy.

Comments

[Julana]

Lori,
I have had mixed feelings about that discussion, too. These are issues we have to face, given the journey we are on.

[Molly]

I agree Lori. The part that upsets me is that they ignore the fact that cures are possible without killing a single embryo. (cord blood cells, adult stem cells, etc) I'm all for science, but that particular end does not justify the means.

I think that is part of why some are so frantic to find cures -- their hope is in this life alone. We know the ONE who is the cure for that. Let your light shine.

[Rosemarybogdan]

Great post. You are a woman of integrity. My mother had advanced Alzheimer's Disease for over ten years and I know with certainty that she never, ever would have wanted to be cured at the expense of someone else's life. Human life, all human life, is sacred. Those who don't understand this cannot make reasonable choices in this area.

[The Radical Write]

I loved your thoughts about stem cell research and Parkinsons. My brother in law has had Parkinsons since he was in his late 40's. I wouldn't consider stem cell research a plausible option anymore than carving the heart out of one man to put in the chest of another who needed a trans-plant. Who are we to decide who will be the sacrificial lambs? Fine if someone offers their own organs but don't volunteer mine. I notice most people choose to live their lives first and relinquish organs after death...go figure