If you haven’t read Michael Kinsley’s recent op-ed in the Washington Post, “False Dilemma on Stem Cells,” you need to.  In it, he points to exactly the kind of inconsistencies in the logic of organizations that oppose sexual and reproductive rights that Rewire often tries to highlight. 

We have talked about the thinking among these groups that seek to prohibit abortion at the same time as they seek to prohibit contraception – the most effective, proven way of preventing unwanted pregnancies (and thereby, abortions) among sexually active individuals.  In other words, they say they want to stop abortions, but they’re not willing to support the easiest way to prevent them. 

Michael Kinsley’s column points out how they’re up to the same business elsewhere, in this case, with stem cell research.  These same groups are opposed to embryonic stem cell research for the same reason that they oppose contraception: they believe human life begins at the moment when a sperm fertilizes an egg.  But what about their stances on fertility clinics and in vitro fertilization?  They are either silent, or Kinsley points out that in some cases, fertility clinics are even applauded.  But he also points out that fertility clinics operate by routinely fertilizing far more eggs than they need, and then destroying the extras as medical waste.  If the logic of opposition groups was consistent, they would be up in arms over fertility clinics killing huge numbers of embryos. 

Of course, it’s not consistent (unless the goal of their logic is simply to create as many babies as possible, regardless of any other considerations).  If they wanted to save the lives of embryos, they would equally oppose fertility clinics and stem cell research.  If they were willing to make an honest analysis of the situation and wanted to continue supporting fertility clinics, then they would be lobbying hard in support of stem cell research.  At least those embryos could be used for medical research to benefit others.  Just like if they wanted to stop abortions, they would support contraception and effective comprehensive sex education. 

But in the middle of a “culture war,” who needs consistency?  It’s pick and choose – whichever positions will offer the best return from the base.  So they reject the destruction of embryos for medical research but support it for fertility therapy, and they want abortions illegal but refuse to help prevent them.  Now all that’s left is for you to figure out the end goal.