Oklahoma Physician Tackles Issue

In embryonic stem-cell research, the embryo is sacrificed in order to obtain the stem cells that can be used to produce other types of tissues, said Oklahoma City  physician Dr. Richard Boothe. An outspoken critic of embryonic stem-cell research, Dr. Boothe speaks regularly to groups interested in this subject. He is a strong advocate of adult stem cell research.

“Besides this ethical dilemma, there are two inherent problems with embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem-cells are more unstable and harder to control than adult stem-cells. It’s like trying to train a six-week-old puppy as opposed to a mature, two-year-old dog,” Boothe said.

“It makes no sense to me to have the moral dilemma of embryonic stem-cell research. To date both types of stem cells can develop all 210 types of cells in the human body. To me, adult stem-cell research is better because no embryo is sacrificed, the tissue developed is stable, and if the tissue is made from the patient’s own adult stem cells, there is no danger of rejection,” Boothe said.

“Embryonic stem-cell research has the potential to do something very good or very bad for the pro choice movement. If they can redeem embryonic stem-cell research and have everyone look at it as this wonderful stuff benefiting mankind because we are willing to sacrifice one human being for another, this argument would legitimize abortion,” Boothe said.

He blamed the media for not better educating the public about this issue.

 “They don’t want you to know that adult stem cells not only can do the same things as embryonic stem cells, they can do it better, and life is not sacrificed to bring about a good result. Ethically and philosophically we are on a battlefield.

“The press likes to tag a politician like George Bush who promotes adult stem-cell research as anti-intellectual and anti-scientific. Actually, Bush’s argument for adult stem-cell research is every bit as logical as theirs, and he takes it to its logical conclusion and promotes science that does not have to come in conflict with a moral dilemma,” Dr. Boothe said.

Read what else  Dr. Richard Boothe has to say on Pro-Life issues in his speech
PRO-LIFE APOLOGETICS 101.