by: John (Brady) Bryan
A huge step in stem cell research was made Wednesday as the federal government has approved the first human embryonic stem cells for scientific research. Previous policy enacted in 2001 during the Bush administration banned the use of all federal tax dollars in supporting research of any cells obtained from human embryos. Now the National Institute of Heath has cleared 13 specific lines of cells that previously would have been off limits to federally funded researchers. The embryonic stem cell lines will still need to be created with private monies but the information generated will be accessible to all researchers. Many members of the scientific community believe that answers regarding the nature as well as possible cures for a myriad of diseases lie in the information held within these cells and rejoice in the removal of the ban of their use as a huge step forward in medical research. Many supporters of this new policy are disappointed however that it did not go deeper and allow federally funded scientists to create embryos to be researched or to clone embryos. Regardless scientists and health professionals across the country rejoice and see this as a victory over the hurdles that blocked access to the multi-billion dollar budget that supports scientific researchers. However not everyone is happy about the new policy, many critics believe that it is ethically wrong for taxpayers to be forced to support research that depends on the abortion of a human embryo. Critics also claim that this policy supports and encourages the destruction of human embryos. I do understand the argument made against this new policy, but personally believe that it is unethical to refuse to conduct such promising research when human embryos are destroyed everyday regardless. What do you think about using government funding to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120201955_pf.html
23 comments:
I think it is great the United States is finally embracing science. Maybe now we can cure some diseases.
If I die, my organs will be donated to whoever needs them so that someone else may have a better life. I feel as though this falls into the same category--why waste a life by literally throwing it away?
Honestly, this is a step in the right direction. I think that many people oppose abortion because it encourage reckless sex, involves inhumane measures of execution, and devalues human life. But in the case of stem cell research, would people really forgo values because they have science as a back-up? Plus, an embryo could be more valuable than the human it would become. Cells from a single baby may give life to untold numbers of others. If we are willing to send our soldiers to die in countries that hate them, why is it so wrong to use clusters of cells to make life better for everyone?
I agree this is a step in the right direction and it is good that the U.S. is taking the action to do this.
While I support stem cell research, I am glad that scientists are not allowed to create embryos to use for research. Creating life just to destroy it seems terribly wasteful.
I agree with Corey. We would be wasting the fetus anyways. Its good for scientists to be finally using this for research and development. Hopefully we can find some interesting stuff.
I like the point brought up by Lukas. As aweful as abortion is, we still allow it in this country for a wide array of reasons I personally embrace. Though the practice is unpleasant why waste potentially positive side effects?
I think the concept of using a fetus already destined for destruction is a logical untilization of a most precious rescource, however my argument is a bit off topic, and is with the usage of feti (fetuses?) that are acquired via non-determinant means. Yes there are several reasons a mother would not want to carry a child, but most of them are selfish and unnessessary.
Immenent death of the mother is the only one i can consider. Yes rape is terrible, but the resultant child does not deserve the death peanalty for a crime it didnt commit.
Adoption is almost always an awnser, and a life is not a trival thing for science to play with, when it could have gone on to live a happy, healthy life, with a happy adoptive mother.
Lastly, and i know most cynically, i feel there are too many people in the world as it is, and every species is ment to have predators, and to eventually die. Why should we be able to best both these challenges? (No i do not god-complex myself out of the equation. If i am to die of an incurable disease, well, thats called bad luck.) Is my life worth more than than that of the fetus who could have lived? (exclusion of feti that could not have lived naturally.)
Research should be confined to them.
The government should have reversed this many years ago. I recently read a study in which umbilical cords, which are thrown away as soon as they are removed upon birth, provide many components that are needed to conduct embryonic research. I am confused as to why the government banned research using discarded umbilical cords. However, since technology and science have evolved drastically in the past 10 years, I think that this reversal ruling comes at the perfect time.
Although I think is a good idea it is a really tricky issue. Is it ethical for people who don't believe in stem cell research to pay for it in their taxes? I think that privately funded parties should fund this one.
andrew sieving
All I can say is FINALLY!!! Stem cell research has already shown us a lot of evidence that stem cells can do amazing things, it is about time that we embrace their power. People need to get over the idea that stem cell research is "playing the role of G*d" and instead realize that it is no different than what doctors do everyday, make sick people better. Stem cell research holds possible cures for cancer as well as many other diseases so it is about time we embrace it and potentially save millions of lifes.
I do understand both sides of this argument. People who think it is unethical to use these embryos for science research have a goop point, but when abortions are going to happen whether or not this specific bill is in place, why not use them to cure different diseases. I am in support of this bill because in the case of some couple's reckless sex, we can still possibly make some scientific breakthroughs.
I agree with the author of the post. Not exploring this promising avenue of medical research is a gross oversite of responsibility. This should have been taken care of years ago. If it had we wouldn't have wasted all this time battling over the rights to do research, we would have hopefully been getting stuff done! As to the argument that it is wrong to use tax payers dollars for the support of stem cells and killing fetuses, that's just ridiculous. Do the research, it's biology 101. Fetuses aren't people until well into the second trimester, genetically and morally speaking. This example that the opponents give is no different than asking pacifist tax payers to pay their taxes even though they abhor the war in iraq. And if you want to respond by saying that the difference between the two is religion, that's still not valid, because to some people pacifism is a religion, just like worshiping god.
I would agree, this is an area of study just as worthy as any other. To deny funding to this field seems rediculous! Sure it steps on contiversial grounds but it seems like to many things could be learned dim the research.
I find it acceptable and encouraging that the Unites States has allowed this type of research to be federally funded. Research performed on a few created embryos brings the promise of survival to a multitude of individuals suffering from conditions that are yet unexplored or curable. Even if the creation of these embryos is privately endorsed, federal support for their research is a promising step for the future.
I feel that this is a significant step in science, and one that will show groundbreaking progress in the years to come. This is a type of medicine that shows huge potential and has the ability to change peoples lives for the better. Truly happy for this decision.
I think that this new research will be very beneficial to everyone. Many people don't know that you can obtain stem cells from the umbilical cord. Also, what is the point of throwing anything away that could possibly save lives, regardless of the ethics behind it. It is not ethical to kill someone, but when you are protecting yourself and other people, it makes sense.
The religiously fueled policy that has existed in this country for years needs to stop. Why create more lives when we can better the lives of those who are already alive and suffering in this country.
I know a lot of Republicans who have personally told me that they have no problems with this type of research, and actually support it. It seems like most moderates, no matter which side of the aisle do. It is just so interesting to see how such a small number of people from the extreme right have been able to keep this research illegal for so long.
I think this is absolutely great. I could understand the argument against it if people actually aborted fetuses in order to study stem cells but that's not what happens. There have also been advances in medicine where stem cells can be "created" without the use of fetuses.
I hope that these stem cells are used for the purpose of creating cures to various diseases and doing research on them. I really hope that we don't get out of control and start just using these stem cells like play items "just to see what we can do."
ROBERT SEADER
I am against human stem cell research, or specifically, the use of human embryos to conduct such research. As a Christian I consider the taking of a human life for mere research and discovery as a gross moral violation. I think that the argument that "they are aborted everyday" is ridiculous. That's like saying, hey, dogs get hit by cars every day, so lets use them to test out the safety of new car bumpers! They are going to die every day by getting hit by cars anyway. FYI Nazi Germany felt it in the best interest of science to kill and dismantle human beings for research... I don't think research justifies doing anything. As I feel that this is a morally reprobate practice, I do not want my tax money supporting such activities. Since our nation was founded on Christian principles, there are many that hold this belief...
Embryonic stem cell research is important fund because it is one of the best methods for scientific research. Stem cell research is also safe and will benefit the American public.
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