Torch, Fall/Winter 2009

Fall–Winter 2009 | TORCH 27 Unfortunately, although our immune systems are constantly on the watch for invaders, they often fail to detect cancer. Why? Because cancer cells are a part of you — your own cells that have betrayed their normal function and become parasitic. They sap the resources of the organs, crowd out normal cells, and cause dysfunction, pain, and even death, if nothing stops their progress. But in many cases, your immune system will mount little to no response against these renegades because their protein tags still mark them as “self.” The immune system simply wasn’t designed to fight against itself. These corrupted cells are, for the most part, outside its surveillance. The Promise of Redemption So we have corrupted, traitorous cells and a lack of immune response to the threat. Is there any hope here? The Genesis account does not simply describe Creation and the Fall. It also foretells redemption. As Paul told the church at Rome, creation groans as it waits for redemption. Certainly we feel the groaning as we deal with cancer, and we wait for death, the last enemy, to finally be defeated. Yet we do not simply wring our hands and wait. As we exercise biblical stewardship over creation, we learn more about the workings of normal cells and the chaos wrought by mutations. We are able to design more effective treatments that eradicate cancer with fewer side effects. We devise improved tests for early detection, making a better prognosis possible. We correlate disease with lifestyle choices and encourage people to exercise wise stewardship of their bodies. In the not-too-distant future, we may even be able to design custom therapies based on the genetics of the individual tumor. Cancer will likely be with us as long as the fallen creation endures. But don’t be discouraged! Our wise Creator has promised never to leave or forsake us. And in the new heaven and earth that the apostle Peter exhorts us to look forward to, cancer — like all of the corruption resulting from the Fall — will no longer have the power to harm or frighten us. T Dr. Heather Kuruvilla earned her bachelor’s degree from Houghton College in 1992 and her Ph.D. from The State University of New York at Buffalo in 1997. She has taught at Cedarville University since 1997, currently serving as professor of biology. PHOTOMERGE: KOROVLJEVIC DJORDJE + DELIORMANLI / ISTOCKPHOTO In recent days, the term “universal health care” has incited both fear and relief, conviction and confusion. Consequently, we’ve been forced to think broadly about how health care intersects government, economics, sociology, and more. Join us in the next issue of TORCH (spring–summer) as we tackle key concerns related to health care. As always, we’ll examine multiple perspectives, present accurate and timely information, and look to God’s Word as our source of truth and compass for living. NEXT ISSUE