One of my modules for uni is bioethics. It's really interesting, but at the same time so challenging, not only because I hope to work in a medical setting one day, where issues surrounding how we treat life and patient's values will be a constant presence and something I will have to repeatedly think about and have an answer to, but also because, as a Christian, I do not necessarily agree with the reasonings that the world uses to come to some kind of moral standard. This may seem harsh, but I am constantly reminded of the way the world thinks. Even most Christians accept what scientists do and say. Science is so embedded in our culture that we never think to question it.
I hope that the way I question science will never be held against me as a way of accusing my faith - certainly, my faith has a lot to do with the way I think, but even in scientific standards, there is a lot wrong with the way we conduct research. For example, scientists are constantly publishing journal articles that provide us with a little bit more information about this world. But hardly any scientist will have the time or money to recreate an experiment in the way it is portrayed in one article, and so results can be faked. If you think that scientists are professionals who would never dream of doing such a thing, think again - it has been done, even recently ( http://classic.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55075/ ). But despite these incidents, science also has a lot to offer to the world, and I do not think that it has to oppose Christianity.
One particular area that I do think needs to be approached with caution, however, is that of reproductive science. This is such a tricky area to have an opinion in, because there are so many factors that play a role here, the main concern being that we are playing with life. Since IVF treatment has proven to be a great success amongst couples who want children of their own but have some kind of problem preventing them from conceiving naturally, this area has progressed rapidly, and continues to be of great interest for scientist of all areas. This is because there is great potential in learning more about diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for people by doing research on embryos that are a by-product of IVF treatment. Many people may not be aware that a number of embryos are created during IVF. These are then frozen, and if they show no cause for concern after screening for genetic disorders, are placed in the mother's uterus. The embryo will not always implant, however, which means that the pregnancy is not established, resulting in miscarriage. Then, the next frozen embryo in line will be used, and so on. If a pregnancy is established and succesfull, then the frozen embryos are either discarded or used for research.
Research opportunities involve trying to create stem cells using these embryos. Stem cells are undifferentiated cell types that can become any kind of cell - meaning, they have a specific function within the body. If these undifferentiated cells can become anything, then it may be possible for scientists to grow spicific cells from these which could then be used to replace damaged cells in people who suffer from various different diseases. For more information on stem cells, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/stem_cell/.
The problem with this though, is that science is still in its early stages of being able to cultivate unlimited numbers of stem cells of any type that will help fight certain diseases. Embryonic stem cells (cells that are found in the embryo before there is a distinction between placenta and embryo proper) have proven to be the most revealing in this, as they are more susceptible to becoming any cell type, depending on the environment, whereas adult stem cells (found within the body) are already genetically disposed to differntiating into a certain cell type. Thus, research on unused embryos from IVF treatment seems the best way forward. Indeed, it even appears exciting when we think of the possibilities. But, it is here where I find myself wondering whether, as a Christian, but also as a human, this is ethically correct. Most scientists will argue that most ebryos do not implant anyway - even amongst fertile women, 70% of zygotes do not implant, and therefore do not end up in pregnancy. Does this mean that we should not waste this precious life then, and use it for something beneficial? This is such a difficult question, because it gives rise to other questions that are equally as hard to answer. For example, did God allow this kind of research to be an option because there is potential in this kind of research to do good? When does the soul enter the body - i.e. are we doing research on life that already carries such value as we would attribute to children and adults on this planet? What are the other possibilities for stem cell research? For example, why is it harder/ why shouldn't we be doing research on adult stem cells?
These are all difficult questions and seem to show that there is a never ending cycle of debates and discussions within this field of science. It's a shame that most scientists work without considering God and His will, but then, most religions are not opposed to embryonic research. For me, it's easier to stay away from these kinds of questions, and I hope to never even enter reproductive science. But this is an area that is so intracetly linked with life itself, that I don't think it is avoidable, especially not in medical settings.
Knowing this, and also that one day I am likely to be working with patients and doctors and other medical professions has made me more aware that I need to have an opinion on these questions, even if it is that God is greater and He has all the answers, unlike me. Nevertheless, this awareness calls for prayer and a consciousness of the world's advances in sciences each day.