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We have grown the entire brain from the get-go,”
Judge Rules Frozen Embryos Are People
the Supreme Court in the case of Gonzales v. Carhart ruled that Congress may ban certain late-term abortion techniques, “both previability and postviability”
“Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”
“We have grown the entire brain from the get-go,”
This quote is from an article in The Guardian titled First almost fully-formed human brain grown in lab, researchers claim (sorry, the article is no longer available).
You may have noticed the difference between the quote and the title of the article. The house is already divided – and we haven’t even gotten past a single article yet.
Here’s a larger excerpt to give some context –
The brain, which is about the size of a pencil eraser, is engineered from adult human skin cells and is the most complete human brain model yet developed, claimed Rene Anand of Ohio State University, Columbus, who presented the work today at the Military Health System Research Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Previous attempts at growing whole brains have at best achieved mini-organs that resemble those of nine-week-old foetuses, although these “cerebral organoids” were not complete and only contained certain aspects of the brain. “We have grown the entire brain from the get-go,” said Anand.
Anand and his colleagues claim to have reproduced 99% of the brain’s diverse cell types and genes. They say their brain also contains a spinal cord, signalling circuitry and even a retina.
Ninety-nine percent. That’s a lot. Certainly more than nearly all abortions – and probably more than any legal abortion, as determined by the US courts.
But look what comes next –
The ethical concerns were non-existent, said Anand. “We don’t have any sensory stimuli entering the brain. This brain is not thinking in any way.”
No sensory stimuli entering the brain.
They say their brain also contains a spinal cord, signalling circuitry and even a retina.
Huh? Is that another house divided? Or do they have a retina that doesn’t work?
Where’s the line between having a retina and yet not having any sensory stimulus?
And how do they know this brain isn’t thinking?
It sounds sick – until reading further –
According to Anand, it takes about 12 weeks to create a brain that resembles the maturity of a five-week-old foetus. To go further would require a network of blood vessels that the team cannot yet produce. “We’d need an artificial heart to help the brain grow further in development,” said Anand.
So there’s no blood vessels. Which means no oxygen going to the brain. Which means no functioning brain. Which means not at 99%. Which means
We have grown the entire brain from the get-go
isn’t even true at all.
But keep going –
Several researchers contacted by the Guardian said it was hard to judge the quality of the work without access to more data, which Anand is keeping under wraps due to a pending patent on the technique. Many were uncomfortable that the team had released information to the press without the science having gone through peer review.
So maybe now we’ve gotten to the core of this particular quote –
which Anand is keeping under wraps due to a pending patent on the technique
It’s about the money.
One could look at this quote from the Bible –
Ecc 10:19 A feast is made for laughter,
and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything.
This makes money sound good – it’s the answer for everything.
The problem is – this quote is from Ecclesiastes – written by Qoheleth (The Teacher) – King Solomon – the wisest man ever.
Qoheleth earlier also wrote –
Ecc 5:13 I’ve seen something very evil on earth.
It’s when wealth is stored up
and then brings harm to its owner.
Ecc 5:14 It’s also when wealth is lost
because of an unwise business deal.
Then there won’t be anything left
for the owner’s son.
Ecc 5:15 A man is born naked.
He comes into the world with nothing.
And he goes out of it with nothing.
He doesn’t get anything from his work
that he can take with him.
Ecc 5:16 Here’s something else that is very evil.
A man is born, and a man dies.
And what does he get for his work?
Nothing. It’s like working for the wind.
When reading this book – it’s important to recognize the context. See this from “All the Books of The Bible” –
It is important to keep the author’s perspective in mind in understanding the message of this book, for the author does not always agree with what the preacher says. To put it another way, the author often records the words of the preacher and then adds his own qualification to them. The preacher’s words are presented as conclusions drawn from the point of view of human wisdom, but they are not the last word. The final word is always God’s perspective.
Given that, we realize that the real message here is more in line with what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy –
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
It’s not money in and of itself that’s evil – it’s the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
I would submit that it’s the love of money that’s at the heart of what’s happening here.
The house is falling.
Judge Rules Frozen Embryos Are People
This one comes from Family Lawyer Magazine. It talks about what happens to embryos when the couple gets divorced – even if there was a prenuptial agreement that already specified exactly that. The article says right up front –
The variety of legal issues arising with cryopreserved embryos in divorce cases is broad and each has its own factual and procedural complications.
It goes on to say –
Embryos, as that term has been used in the divorce decisions, refers to the early stage product of in vitro fertilization. Some courts have called them “pre-embryos” to reflect their lack of development. However, they have all the genetic components, which can evolve into a human fetus when transferred to a female womb.
So this is a step beyond the one above in the “brain” (and I use that term very loosely) above.
Here is part of the issue –
There is general recognition in the reported decisions that embryos fall into an “interim category” between personhood and property that “entitles them to special respect because of their potential for human life.” See Davis v. Davis, 842 S.W.2d 588 at 597 (Tenn. 1992). The Massachusetts court agreed embryos are not just a species of property to be divided between the divorcing spouses; see A.Z. v. B.Z., 725 N.E.2d 1051, 1059 (Mass. 2000).
If this is the point of view – then this embryo is somewhere between a piece of property and a “real” human. And at some point – this “thing” can become human. If that’s what you want to believe – I guess that’s up to you. But let me ask you this – what’s the difference between this same thing happening in a woman rather than in a test tube? There’s still the male sperm – the female egg – and when the sperm impregnates the egg, we have an embryo – in the woman. Is that embryo a “thing” that’s somewhere between a piece of property and a “real” human? And exactly when does that “thing” become a “real” human?
Think I’m off base with those questions? Let’s read on in the article –
Generally, embryos are not subject to property division as a species of property in the context of divorce, although a few courts have ruled that the contractual right to dispose of cryopreserved embryos produced during the marriage is a form of personal property which can be subjected to disposition as property in a divorce. See Marriage of Dahl, 194 P.3d 834 (Ore. App. 2008) (under Oregon law a contractual right to possess or dispose of embryos constitutes person property subject to division as per the contract in a divorce case). See also, Reber v. Reiss 38 FLR 1279 (2012) (embryos treated as personal property, although apparently not argued).
The abortion cases make clear that United States constitutional law does not consider an embryo a legal person. See Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) (finding that a fetus does not constitute a “person” for purposes of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment). But see a report by Sherry Colb on CNN.com, Judge Rules Frozen Embryos Are People, (reporting that a fertility clinic which allegedly discarded nine of the plaintiff’s embryos could be sued for wrongful death based on the proposition that an embryo is a human being). While the weight of overwhelming legal opinion seems to be that an embryo cannot be considered a legal person, to treat an embryo as merely a kind of property would belittle its potential to develop into human life.
Maybe you think this is a trivial question? Read on –
Although there may be as many as a million or more cryopreserved embryos in the United States, and many married couples who created them in order to deal with fertility problems get divorced, many states have not yet evolved criteria to resolve disputes over the disposition of the embryos when these couples do divorce. It may be years before any general consensus evolves on such criteria, if ever. Counsel confronted with such disputes will want to research the judicial reasoning in those courts which have considered the issue and develop arguments which accord with their client’s position.
Again – there’s a lot of money here. There’s the question of possible child support. And inheritance. And lot’s of time and money spent in the court systems. Oh – and let’s not forget the attorneys.
This house isn’t falling – it was never even built. While some will dispute this, I’d say that even if one considers it built, it certainly wasn’t on a good foundation.
In Luke, we see where Jesus said –
Lk 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Is your position on this issue built on a solid foundation?
Or is it falling apart from the very beginning?
Congress may ban certain late-term abortion techniques, “both previability and postviability”
In order to make this hopefully somewhat neutral, this one comes from a Wikipedia article on Late termination of pregnancy.
This one is the logical next step in the progression we have going here. From lab work – to frozen embryos – to abortion. Note – I’m skipping the “non late term” abortion issue, since I’ve already written about that. If you want to read about it – just search this site for “abortion”.
Along that line, the Wikipedia article also says this –
Late termination of pregnancy (TOP) or late-term abortions are abortions which are performed during a later stage of pregnancy. Late-term abortions are more controversial than abortion in general because the fetus is more developed and sometimes viable.
…
The point at which an abortion becomes late-term is often related to the “viability” (ability to survive outside the uterus) of the fetus. Sometimes late-term abortions are referred to as post-viability abortions. However, viability varies greatly among pregnancies. Nearly all pregnancies are viable after the 27th week, and no pregnancies are viable before the 21st week. Everything in between is a “grey area”.
There’s lot’s of detail in there that I leave for you to check out if you’d like. However – here’s the final thing under the category of “methods” –
There are at least three medical procedures associated with late-term abortions:
Dilation and evacuation (D&E)
Early labour induction
Intact dilation and extraction (IDX or D&X), sometimes referred to as “partial-birth abortion”
Abortions done for fetal abnormality are usually performed with induction of labor or with IDX; elective late-term abortions are usually performed with D&E.[citation needed] In the USA, fetal demise is usually induced by ultrasound-guided intracardiac injection of hypertonic saline, digoxin, or some other heart-stopping agent before the beginning of any late-term abortion procedure. The possibility of unsuccessful termination—resulting in birth of a live infant—is a malpractice concern.
So they talk about only the malpractice concern related to an abortion between the 21st and 27th weeks of pregnancy. It’s “nice” – and certainly “convenient” to be able to label these 7 weeks as the only questionable ones. But notice – it’s only related to malpractice. It’s not related to conscience. It’s not about what “right” or “wrong”. If you’re a Christian – it’s not about what God says. So much for “nice” and “convenient”.
And then consider those seven weeks along with the previous articles we looked at.
If it seemed “convenient” to narrow this one issue down to seven weeks – what happened to the issue of going all the way back to fertilization of an egg?
The process is still the same. An egg is fertilized with a sperm. Ultimately – there is always the possibility of a “real” human being the end result of this fertilization. And let’s be real – the goal of the people in the first example is to “grow” a “human” in the lab, with neither an egg or sperm.
So how is it that the definitions of when it’s OK to “terminate” this “potential human” can be so different?
Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
Think about that one. How does your view of “real” humans line up with that statement from God?
“Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”
Here’s a couple things to think about –
Mt 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Jesus was talking to Peter here. But His words are for us as well.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
What good is it if we claim to be Christians – or maybe even really are – but we go along with, or even give active support to, terminating “potential” “real” “humans” because it’s convenient. Maybe not even convenient for us – but we think we’re doing something on behalf of someone else.
he will reward each person according to what he has done
Remember – it’s not what we do that determines whether or not we are save. No – that comes only from acceptance of God’s gift of salvation – through Jesus.
However – rewards in Heaven / treasures in Heaven – they come from what we have done. Are you OK with being saved, but forfeiting any rewards or treasures because you ignore what God says – and decide that terminating “potential” “real” “humans” is OK?
Mk 4:1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”
Mk 4:9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mk 4:10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’’”
Mk 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”
As Christians – we should know God’s word. We should not just “believe in it” – but “believe it” – and even further, we should live it.
Whether or not we do that, depends very much on things like the parable above. Some might say that this means it’s all about things beyond our control.
Like how is a seed that falls on rock supposed to grow? If that’s where we land – we’re doomed, by no fault of our own.
Ever seen plants growing from the side of a rocky mountain or hill? Ever drive along a highway that was carved out of a rock formation – and seen the plants growing on it? Or coming up in the middle of the street? Or your driveway? No – it’s not impossible. It happens.
And what about growing up in the thorns? How many of us can really say that we live a thorn free life? And yet some of us make it and still find Jesus.
The thing is – it’s not about us.
It’s about Him.
As the rich ruler found out –
Mt 19:16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
Mt 19:17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
Mt 19:18 “Which ones?” the man inquired.
Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
Mt 19:20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Mt 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mt 19:22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mt 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mt 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Mt 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Conclusion
Believe it or not – I’m not going to tell you what to decide.
God doesn’t force us to follow Him. He wants us to do just that – follow HIm. But He won’t force us.
In that line – neither will I. I’ve included points from the various articles. I’ve included points from the Bible.
But the ultimate decision is yours.
Hopefully it’s between you and God.
And I really mean the part about including God. Because if you don’t, the decision will be between you and Satan.
And then you’re in the rocks – or really thick thorns – and in a world of hurt.
And the best you can possibly hope for is something like what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians. It’s very appropriate. It talks about foundation. It talks about building on that foundation. It talks about what we did in life being tested by fire.
1Co 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
How about you?
Are you building on the right foundation?
Will what you’re building on that foundation stand up to fire?
Are you happy with your answers to those questions?