As the nation’s cultural, political, and religious guidelines are constantly changing, it is necessary to examine the ethical issue of handling fetal tissue research. Although the perspectives of some people in the nation state that handling fetal tissue is ethically and morally wrong, standing back and doing nothing to contribute lifesaving discoveries like polio, rubella, and chickenpox, can be even more harmful to humanity. In addition, scientific research on fetal tissue does not promote abortion, but instead is an effort to find something good out of the inevitable. It is important to consider the many factors that surround this issue of stem cell research, such as the abortion of god-given life, the choices of the people, the political agenda of pro-life activists, and what really is saving life.

The issues at stake when discussing about fetal tissue research include many factors, including ethics and what is really saving life: anti-abortion or science research? Perspective 3 states that fetal tissue research violates human ethics because it messes up with god-given life. In contrast to this statement, however, scientific research from fetal tissue is used to contribute lifesaving discoveries, namely polio, rubella, and chickenpox. In other words, fetal tissue research helps save these god-given lives more than it messes it up. In addition, fetal tissue research helps scientists and doctors understand the fetal anatomy in case situations arise in which they must perform surgical procedures for other fetuses. Fetal tissue research can be considered pro-life because it can save the lives of many more people, including other fetuses. Being offered aborted fetus tissue and not performing research on it to discover new things is a bigger violation of human ethics because it prevents doctors and scientists from saving the greater majority of people who are sick and disabled.

Pro-life activists also assert that the contribution of scientific research should not outshine rights of fetus to sustain life. Research of fetal tissue does not compete with the life of a fetus, but is only an option for those who choose to abort their fetus. The choice that people are given to abort their fetus or keep their fetus is important in those pro-life activists or scientific communities cannot meddle with their decision to abort their fetus; the decision is solely up to the mother and father of the fetus. Therefore, scientific research does not outshine the rights of a fetus to sustain life the way pro-life activists claim. Pro-life activism does not make a strong case with scientific research, but is more politically driven, so pro-life activists must not interfere with the scientific research of stem cells. Furthermore, research shows that women who allow fetal tissue research on their aborted fetus do not abort for the research, but contribute their fetus to the research because they wanted to help society after they aborted their fetus. Organ donation is an analogy for this situation: No one wishes for death and tragedy, but if they happen, doctors and family will look into organ donation to help save other lives. It is making the best decision they could with the inevitable. Therefore, scientific research does not outshine the rights of fetus to sustain life, but is an effort to put already aborted fetuses into the best use by contributing them to society for research and development.

Handling fetal tissue research still remains a difficult task for most of society. With pro-life activists looking to increase their politics of abortion and pro life propaganda, fetal tissue research faces many challenges despite its goal to contribute lifesaving discoveries. In the end, the legality of the fetal tissue research should remind pro-life activists and individuals concerned with the controversy that fetal tissue will continue to be researched by doctors and scientists, in hopes to create better life-giving chances to the rest of society.

<Juliette MIn, Cypress High School 11th Grade>