WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that all human life is sacred (Genesis 1:26-27); and
WHEREAS, Humans have a sacred trust to care for the most vulnerable among us (Matthew 25:31-46); and
WHEREAS, Current trends in stem cell research promise great benefit to some and threaten great peril to others; and
WHEREAS, Stem cell research using non-embryonic stem cells offers tremendous hope for millions of people and has already produced many successful results in humans, such as relieving the symptoms of juvenile diabetes, reversing Parkinson’s disease symptoms, regenerating heart tissue, and restoring feeling and mobility to people with spinal cord injuries; and
WHEREAS, Embryonic stem cell research currently requires the destruction of human embryos; and
WHEREAS, Embryo-destructive research has not produced any positive results or cures; and
WHEREAS, Even if it does, it is never morally acceptable to prey on some humans to benefit others; and
WHEREAS, We do not believe that the issue of world competition in embryo-destructive research justifies our nation’s entry into this barbaric activity; and
WHEREAS, The United States House of Representatives has voted to provide federal funding for human-destructive research on embryos being stored at fertility clinics; and
WHEREAS, The United States Senate is preparing to vote on this issue; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 21-22, 2005, wholeheartedly support efforts to find cures and therapies for human maladies that respect the sanctity of all human life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we strongly support stem cell research that does not require the destruction of human embryos or put them at risk in obtaining human stem cells; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we deplore embryo-destructive research, since it kills human beings in their earliest stages of development; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our deep disappointment in those members of the United States House of Representatives who voted in favor of embryo-destructive research for their abject failure to protect the lives of these innocent human beings; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend those members of the United States House of Representatives who voted against embryo-destructive research for their courageous stand on behalf of these voiceless human beings; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the United States Senate to reject any legislation that calls for embryo-destructive research, regardless of the origin of the embryos, beyond the cell lines which are currently approved for federally funded research; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the president for his commitment to veto any bills that call for federal funding of embryo-destructive research beyond the cell lines he has already approved; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists to consider ways they can become involved in life-affirming activities, including adopting embryos being stored at fertility clinics.