Since some readers may be unfamiliar with embryonic stem cell research, let us begin with a brief summary of human development before answering your good question. The moment of conception is when a man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg in her Fallopian tube. At the moment of conception, the fertilized egg is 100% human because it has all 46 human chromosomes and a fully functioning, unique genetic code. The size of the baby and location (inside or outside the mother’s body) do not impact the fact that the baby is fully human. Scientists call the fertilized egg a zygote for the first 3-6 days and the cells divide repeatedly during that time. When the zygote travels down the Fallopian tube and enters the mother’s uterus, the cells continue to divide, becoming a hollow ball of cells that scientists call a blastocyst. The blastocyst implants in the wall of the mother’s uterus approximately six days after fertilization. The baby is called a blastocyst until the second week after fertilization. FROM THE SIXTH WEEK TO THE EIGHTH WEEK, SCIENTISTS CALL THE BABY AN EMBRYO. At the end of the eighth week until birth, scientists call the baby a fetus.

Embryonic stem cell research occurs when scientists kill human embryos in order to harvest stem cells from the embryos. The purpose of the research is to try to learn how to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and vision problems. However, the end (helping to treat diseases) does not justify the means (murder). God plainly commands in Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” The reason that destroying embryos is murder is because LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. God says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (NASB). God did not consecrate a dead person! Jeremiah was very much ALIVE inside his mother’s womb.

We also read in Psalm 139:13-16, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them” (NASB). These verses clearly describe God’s personal involvement in skillfully forming A LIVING PERSON inside a mother’s womb.

In addition to embryonic stem cell research being wrong, it is unnecessary. Adult stem cells can be harvested from living bone marrow, blood, brain tissue, skin, the placenta, umbilical cord blood, and body fat without killing a human being. Research on adult stem cells has been occurring for decades and has been helpful in developing treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, leukemia, and heart disease.

This is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. The Lord Jesus said to unbelieving scribes and Pharisees in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Please do not be deceived by prestigious scientists and politicians in this world who advocate for embryonic stem cell research. Satan is using those people to spread lies and murder unborn babies. What those scientists and politicians need is to be saved through the power of the gospel. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” If you have not yet done so, agree with God that you are a sinner and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today!  (DJ)  (591.3)