2007年VOA标准英语-Embryonic Research Poses Dilemma for Religious

For a second time in a year, President Bush has vetoed a bill that would have sanctioned federally funded stem cell research using human embryos³.  His stance reflects conservatives' view that destroying life to create life is immoral⁴. But VOA's Ted Landphair reports that when the longing⁵ for a healthy baby hits home, views can change.

Jeff and Le Jeanna Raymond with baby Pender

Throughout ten years of marriage, the Raymonds had hoped and prayed for children.  But there was a problem.  Le Jeanna was a carrier of a genetic⁶ disorder⁷ called ‘Fragile X Syndrome⁸.’ "There are four members of my family who are mentally retarded⁹ and physically¹⁰ limited because of this condition," she explained.

The couple did not want to bring a disabled child into the world. 

But then Le Jeanna heard about research at the Shady Grove¹¹ Fertility Center in Maryland. There, in a procedure called P-G-D, or Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis¹², a woman's eggs are extracted and fertilized¹³ with her husband's sperm¹⁴. Those resulting embryos with defective¹⁵ genes¹⁶ are discarded.  A healthy embryo² is implanted in the mother's womb, and pregnancy¹⁷ begins.

Pender

Jeff Raymond says the decision to proceed with the controversial procedure gave him no moral qualms¹⁸ whatever. "For us, we feel like God was in the midst of the decision-making process. Anything in the world can be used for good or for evil.  And technology is the same as anything else."

Le Jeanna adds, "We felt there was a difference between designing a baby with blue eyes and brown hair, or to be tall, or intelligent, was different than to be testing whether a baby was healthy or not."

William Kearns

The entire experience cost the Raymonds’ close to $36,000.

Payments were made in installments²¹ says Le Jeanna. "We looked at it like a car payment.  You would buy a car that costs that much.  Why not invest in a possibility of a child?"

The Raymonds say their church was so supportive of their decision that when the embryo was successfully implanted, a congregant sent a note around that read: "We're pregnant!"