Dr. James Dobson made some comments last week about stem cell research that have stirred up certain segments of the population. I have not seen any coverage by the major media organizations—just local papers (Colorado), Jewish organizations, and some media watchdog websites. You can read or listen to his comments here. A common theme running through the reactions is that Dr. Dobson called stem cell researchers Nazis or that stem cell research is equivalent to Nazi human experiments. I do not see this in his comments.

The main quote of interest is as follows:
“In World War II, the Nazis experimented on human beings in horrible ways in the concentration camps, and I imagine, if you wanted to take the time to read about it, there would have been some discoveries there that benefited mankind. You know, if you take a utilitarian approach, that if something results in good, then it is good. But that's obviously not true.”

I understand Dr. Dobson to be saying that the ends do not justify the means*. The Nazi experiments are an obvious example of that. Any possible gain in medical knowledge is not worth the forced suffering that the subjects had to experience. That being said, I believe he made two significant mistakes (if he is interested in discussion or debate on this issue).

1. Referring to anything dealing with the Nazis is a mistake in a discussion because it is emotionally charged. Outrage is the normal response and that is not really conducive to reasoned dialogue.
2. Dobson is confusing two different issues: the ethics of harvesting stem cells in particular ways and the ethics of stem cell research itself. Most people have no moral difficulties with transplanting organs of people who have suddenly died. Killing people to harvest their organs is a completely different issue.

Who is Dr. Dobson? Dobson is a Christian psychologist who recently has become active in commenting on social and political issues that could be called “value issues” such as gay marriage, abortion and confirmation of conservative judges.

*Note: Dobson later said that he called stem cell research Nazi-esque. I am only claiming that he did not imply that in his comments referred to above.