Statement by the Rev. William G. Sinkford,
President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
(Boston,
MA - November 14, 2001)
Rapid advances in science are presenting us with complicated ethical
and religious questions. Over the past several months, our community
and our country have heard a good deal about stem cell technology. Many
people have contacted my office asking for comments and for guidance.
Unitarian Universalism's first principle
affirms the inherent worth and dignity of each person. Our religious
community has long acknowledged the right of women to make their own
reproductive choices. And our faith tradition also tells us that scientific
inquiry is an active avowal of our social responsibility.
Therefore, I am not willing to frame the debate over research using
human stem cells as a conflict between a woman's right to choose and
science, nor as a dispute between religious dogma and medical progress.
Instead, I have looked more deeply into this controversy, to try to
discern how Unitarian Universalists might best understand it. Here is
what I have found.
The science of human stem cell manipulation stands at the earliest
stages of what may prove to be a long journey of discovery. Human beings
originate from stem cells, and we produce stem cells in many places
in our bodies during our entire lives. Because stem cells give rise
to other kinds of cells, they hold out the hope of creating cures for
a number of terrible human afflictions. For this reason, as a compassionate
faith, we should welcome the development of this infant science.
Some types of stem cells are found in human embryos. Because embryonic
stem cell science requires the destruction of early-stage, microscopic
human embryos, those who consider embryos to be persons have objected
to this aspect of stem cell research. Because I do not consider human
embryos to be people, and because Unitarian Universalists insist that
reproduction is a personal and private matter, I believe that there
should be no ban on embryonic stem cell research.
However, I also think that as people of faith, we need to accompany
the development of this new science with careful and continual scrutiny,
offering our Unitarian Universalist principles and tradition as tools
for the emerging ethical exchange. Because of our principles, I would
contend that no human embryos should be created specifically for stem
cell experimentation, thus turning human life and human reproduction
into a commodity -- surely a clear affront to our first principle affirming
the inherent dignity of human beings.
On August 9, President Bush announced support for federal funding for
stem cell research under limited conditions. I am happy with the President's
support of stem cell research, and I am glad to see the formation of
a prestigious panel to inquire further into ethical considerations of
this work. Yet I regret that the President has limited his support to
the use of so-called stem cell 'lines' that might confine this entire
field of scientific research to tools that are locked up by commercial
interests. While all discoverers should enjoy our Constitution's protection
of inventor's rights, the common biological heritage of humankind should
never become privatized, earmarked for the benefit of the few to the
detriment of us all.
Our Unitarian Universalist tradition places high value on democratic
process. Accordingly, I eagerly await the consideration of these and
related concerns by our General Assembly. During the time that is necessary
for the denominational discernment process to proceed, I pray that stem
cell research will develop carefully, in the light of informed ethical
and religious contributions, so that it can eventually alleviate the
suffering of many in our world.
For further information, please contact John
Hurley, Director of Information, at 617-948-6131.
