Daniel Herbster reporting
In the stem cell debate, you will often here proponents of unethical embryonic stem cell research say that we have hundreds of thousands of “leftover embryos” from IVF clinics and that the “only” thing to be done with them is to kill them for use in research. Besides the fact that the numbers of available embryos is greatly exaggerated (when you consider that most parents of frozen embryos want to keep them), the fact that human embryos can be and have been adopted by couples unable to have children on their own shows that death in the lab is not the only option for IVF embryos.
One organization seeking to publicize this exciting adoption option is Nightlight Christian Adoptions. I recently came across their website (http://www.embryoadoption.org/) and I am happy to share with you my interview with Ron Stoddart, the Executive Director of NCA.
Note: The above photo is President Bush, soon after vetoing an unethical embryonic stem cell research funding bill, holding a child who was adopted as an embryo.
DH: Ron, why should we care about what happens to “leftover” IVF embryos?
RS: It is a scientific fact that life begins at conception. The argument is over when life is deserving of protection. There are certainly those who would rather argue that embryos are not life – or are not persons – rather than admit that they just don’t want to afford them the same protection as life that is further developed. They have a fear that if we accord too much respect to embryos then it will be an opening to have Roe v. Wade overturned. I believe that all human life is sacred and deserving of protection. The fact that the embryos have been frozen does not change their nature and they deserve a chance at continued life.
DH: About how many unused embryos are there in this country, and how many of those are even available for research purposes?
RS: The best estimates are that there are about 500,000 embryos currently frozen in fertility clinics around the United States. The decision about the fate of the embryos rests with the family who created them (except in Louisiana where they are protected from destruction). Different surveys have attempted to estimate how many families would donate their embryos for research, so the estimate varies from 15,000 embryos and up. The reality is that the vast majority of families with stored embryos do not know what to do and are struggling with their decision. We are trying to encourage them to have the embryos implanted, if not in the family who created them then in an adoptive family.
DH: Should we respect the rights of human embryos the same way we do for adult human beings? What is the state of the law regarding the treatment of embryos?
RS: A person’s a person regardless how small. There is a lot of wisdom in these words from the WHO. My answer to the question is “yes.” The state of the law, except for Louisiana, is that embryos are treated with slightly more respect than property. Most of the conflicts have arisen when a couple is divorcing. In those cases, the courts have consistently sided with the spouse who wants to destroy the embryos rather then allowing the other spouse to implant them or donating them to another couple. Not much respect there.
DH: What is the mission of Nightlight Christian Adoptions? How long have you been in operation, and how did it get started?
RS: Our mission is to share God’s love by:
- Helping children, both domestic and international, to find loving families.
- Assisting birthparents and genetic parents in making a wise and loving plan for their child’s future.
- Preparing families to be committed and effective parents to adoptive children.
- Recognizing and advocating the personhood of pre-born children.
We are committed to carrying out our mission in a way that will bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our agency was started in 1959 as Evangelical Welfare Agency. Its name was later changed to Christian Adoption & Family Services and then, in 2000, to Nightlight Christian Adoptions. The agency was started by a group of believers who wanted to provide adoption services to the Christian community.
DH: Why did Nightlight start its Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign? How hard is it to get your message out when the mainstream media seems to be trying to keep people confused about embryos and stem cell research?
RS: Nightlight applied for a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign. We have been promoting embryo adoption through the government grants since 2002. We have seen many other organizations become involved in embryo donation and adoption since we started and hope that more will embrace this concept in the future. In a way, the controversy over embryonic stem cell research has helped us get the message out. The media is always more interested in controversy than in positive stories. Our goal is to make sure the truth is told and that God touches the hearts of families with the fate of embryos in their hands.
DH: How can our readers support what you do? How can they spread the word about embryo adoption?
RS: Certainly the most important step is to tell others about embryo adoption – I’m sure we all know people who have struggled with infertility or are considering adoption. We have created a series of short videos which are found on http://www.embryoadoption.org/ under Video Encouragement. They should watch these short (2 minutes long) and send the link to their friends to watch them as well. It is important that people understand that by protecting embryos we are also protecting all life. As Jesus said, as much as you have done it for the “least of these”….
DH: Where could couples, either looking to adopt an embryo or looking to put up their embryo for adoption, find more information?
RS: They can go the http://www.embryoadoption.org/ web site to learn about the process and organizations offering embryo adoption services. They can learn more about our Snowflakes embryo adoption program at http://www.nightlight.org/ or by calling our office and asking for an information package to be sent.
DH: What are some of the testimonials you’ve heard from parents who have adopted embryos?
RS: Every family and embryo has its own unique story. I love hearing from families who say that they had given up on the idea of ever being pregnant and now there is the opportunity for them to both adopt and be pregnant. Families also report how bonded they feel to their embryos, even before they are implanted.
DH: How does what you do relate to the issues of stem cell research and human cloning?
RS: We are in favor of stem cell research that does not harm embryos – such as research using adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells. Any research that destroys human life is wrong.
I am opposed to any form of human cloning. Some scientists will say that “therapeutic” cloning is good but they oppose “reproductive” cloning. The same process is used for creating cloned embryos, regardless of how they intend to use them. So just calling it therapeutic cloning does not mean that a human life was not created and then destroyed.
DH: Ron, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Keep up the great work.
Note: The views of any interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of AdvanceUSA.