Embryos, Euphemisms and Eliminations

In recent days horrifying facts have emerged respecting the creation - and elimination - of 'embryos' in our country.

An article in the Belfast Newsletter reported that,  

"More than 4,000 human embryos have been destroyed in Northern Ireland since 2006.  The number of embryos being destroyed has massively increased from just 1 in 2006 to more than 1,200 last year."

Every Christian should be dismayed at these statistics – and their concern will not be dissipated by the 'pseudo-scientific speak' that has been quickly wrapped around this horrific reality.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ni-destroys-4-000-human-embryos-1-3762407

• Of chief concern is the destruction of human life.

The term "embryo" de-personalises the real issue.  A human embryo is nothing less than a living human being at the earliest stage of its development.

Psalm 139:16 reveals that David existed in the eyes of God while he was in the womb and at that stage when, in today's jargon, he would be classified as "an embryo":

"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

The destruction of this embryo would have involved the murder of David! 

It is chilling to think that medical services within our country are saving life with one hand - and slaughtering it with the other. 

• Of great concern is the fact that IVF treatment is being offered on the NHS to same-sex couples.

Most valid is that objection that disapproves of public funds being used to provide this service to same-sex couples,

"who, by the very nature of their lifestyle choice, have determined they are not interested in natural procreation.  Yet, the public are expected to pay for expensive IVF treatment to facilitate reproduction for same-sex couples."

Dr Lindsay Wilson produced a booklet that was published by our 'Government and Morals Committee' in 2006.  Having outlined the procedure involved in IVF treatment, Dr Wilson makes the following observations: 

"We accept that life begins at conception; therefore in the case of IVF life begins outside the body.  There are several issues in the IVF treatment procedure that present us with grave difficulties.

Discarded embryos.  

Once an embryo exists it has the full status of any other person.  To discard it, is to kill it, and this is unacceptable.

Fetal reduction.  

This is another name for the heinous practice of abortion.  God’s Law demands that we do all in our power to preserve life.

Freezing embryos.  

Life has begun at conception; those embryos are alive, though frozen at present.  What, if on the first treatment the woman finds she is expecting triplets and doesn’t want any more children?  What happens to her frozen embryos?  What happens to the frozen embryos if she dies?  There are many thousands of frozen embryos in the United States of America, where no one wants them.  Some Christian couples have offered to adopt an embryo, and have it implanted.  While these people may be commended, legal difficulties could be formidable.  However the practice of producing embryos to freeze them in the first place is where the problem lies."

Our appeal to those in positions of influence within our country is to take a principled stand against this slaughter; to –

"Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction" (Proverbs 31:8).