Embryo Adoption Revisited

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2001 Congressional Hearings on Stem Cell Research

Hearings on Stem Cell Research

[Ed. Note: Two years ago, when I first wrote about embryo adoption, it was a relatively unpublicized practice. Today, as stem cell research has moved into the international spotlight, the related issue of embryo adoption, with its own controversies, is being discussed by government leaders.]

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD
JULY 18, 2001 SENATE HEARING ON STEM CELL RESEARCH

by William L. Pierce, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute for Public Policy ¹
© 2001, All Rights Reserved
Reprinted by express permission Because of more than 30 years' experience in the child welfare field, twenty of which were as President of the National Council For Adoption, perhaps some comments on the current controversy over federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and the recommendation that "embryo adoption" be widely utilized will be helpful.

The debate over stem cell research is raging and one of the reasons is that in the pluralistic society of the United States there are profound theological and religious differences on issues directly related to the debate.

The most important difference of opinion, that surprises many, is between those who are identified as "prolife" - such as Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). The difference of opinion does not surprise people like Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Government Reform. Rep. Waxman made the point clearly at a hearing July 17 on stem cell research before his Committee's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, Chaired by Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN).

Rep. Waxman said: "In closing, I want to acknowledge that some people do differ in this area. Some people believe that a fertilized egg (whether it is inside a womb or inside a test tube) is the same as a human being. They also oppose IVF [in vitro fertilization] as it is generally practiced, as well as some or all methods of family planning. I do not question their sincerity. But I sincerely do not agree."

Neither does Sen. Hatch, who said in his testimony July 17 that "…I believe that human life begins in the womb, not a petri dish or refrigerator." Sen. Hatch's views reflect the beliefs of his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons. Sen. Hatch's Church does not "strongly discourage" IVF as, for instance, it does so-called "surrogate motherhood." Mormons leave the matter of IVF to the judgment of the husband and wife. Because Mormons do strongly discourage surrogate motherhood, it was no surprise when Sen. Hatch's statement mentioned that "…the embryo adoption issue could raise a whole host of new legal issues. There are also religious issues - for example, there are people, some in my own faith, who seriously question the notion of surrogate motherhood."

¹ This statement does not necessarily reflect the views of Discovery Institute. For more information, contact Discovery Institute's Washington, D.C., Office at 202-299-0055 or the author at pgidc@AOL.com.