The controversy over stem cells has aroused impassioned arguments on both sides. Those who oppose using stem cells harvested from embryos believe that it is morally and ethically wrong to destroy an embryo for the sake of science. The embryo is alive, same as any person, and it is wrong to kill it.

My ethical argument is; if one believes that it is wrong to kill an embryo for stem cell research, then is it also wrong to reap the benefits of such research? For example, suppose there was a major breakthrough in Parkinson’s disease, derived from the use of embryonic stem cells. If you are passionately opposed to the use of embryonic stem cells, and believed it was wrong to destroy the embryo for this purpose, would you refuse the new and advanced treatment? Or would you continue to suffer with a debilitating disease and hope for a more ethical cure to come along?

There is no right or wrong answer on this, but it is something to consider. There are many scenarios like this one. Some people take their beliefs only so far, others are willing to die for them.