Last week, a researcher announced a new, supposedly ethical way to get embryonic stem cells. He is arguing that the new method would not involve killing an embryo, as the standard method does. Since the killing of the embryo is the main concern people have with embryonic stem cells, he is hoping the federal government will approve this method for federal funding. Should we go along with this? Is this the break we have been waiting for? The answer in brief is no.
   The new method (tentatively I will call 'early embryonic cell extraction') is morally wrong. First and foremost, it does involve both the creation and termination of a child. Second, it uses parts of living babies for experimentation and treatment. Third, it involves using in vitro fertilization. Fourth, it involves using a pre-implantational genetic test. For these reasons, early embryonic cell extraction is wrong and should be opposed, especially when it involves our tax money.
   Early embryonic cell extraction both creates and terminates a child. The standard process for extracting embryonic stem cells is clearly murder, since the embryo is completely destroyed after around 8 days of life. The new process occurs at around 2 days of life, when the embryo is 8 cells large. The process takes away one of those cells, and leaves the main embryo (with 7 cells) to be implanted and continue in life. The main embryo is still fully alive, and around 2,000 children have been born in the United States after this process was done to them (because of the pre-implantational genetic test which will be explained below.) The other cell would then be allowed to life and grow until it reaches a suitable size to "harvest" for stem cells. I argue that if the cell was allowed to grow and then implanted into a mother, it would grow into a child as all embryos does. When the cell is separated, the scientist is creating an identical twin. When the cell, which is now an embryo itself, is destroyed, the identical twin is then killed. The process is very similar to the way identical twins are made in the womb. It obviously would be wrong to kill an identical twin and use that twin's body parts. It is no different if that twin is created by a scientist. Therefore, early embryonic cell extraction is murder.
   Early embryonic cell extraction uses the body parts of human babies for experimentation and treatment. The question is: is there anything wrong with using human babies in this way? That is a good question that is rather difficult to answer. We as a society have generally decided on several principles: 1) Do not kill so that you can use the body. 2) Have the wellbeing of the person in mind. 3) Obtain the consent of the individual. The new method violates all three principles. The new twin is killed. The twin's wellbeing is destroyed in the process. The twin cannot consent. By these principles, early embryonic cell extraction is inhumane.
   Early embryonic cell extraction uses in vitro fertilization. This method typically involves the creation of many embryos (children) that are destroyed or frozen until destroyed. This is a horrifying thing. Though it is not required, most in vitro fertilizations work this way. Even without this aspect, the method dehumanizes the natural, God-designed method of creating children. This is especially apparent for the technicians who "make babies" every day. The in vitro fertilization method is morally wrong.
   Early embryonic cell extraction involves using a pre-implantational genetic test to determine if the child is fit to live. The method was created to discover which embryo out of the bunch created is genetically better and should be implanted. This is especially important to people with a history of genetic diseases. Contrary to this, all children deserve to live, and we are not to be the ones determining who is worthy of living. A person with Down Syndrome is completely human, and should not be prevented from living. The pre-implantational genetic test is also morally wrong.
   These four reasons clearly show that early embryonic cell extraction is morally wrong. The method includes a eugenical genetic fitness test and in vitro fertilization. It violates standard principles of humane research. Most importantly, it involves the creation and murder of a human child. For these reasons, early embryonic cell extraction is wrong and should not be supported by us.