President Bush today at the White House with children born as a result of an embryo-adoption program."'This bill would support the taking of innocent human life,' Mr. Bush said at the White House, surrounded by scores of children born as a result of an embryo-adoption program and their parents.' Each of these human embryos is a unique human life with inherent dignity and matchless value,' Mr. Bush said. Looking at the children around him, he said to loud applause, 'These boys and girls are not spare parts.'"
The study of stem cells began in the 1960s after research by Canadian scientists Ernest McCullochand James Till (Wikipedia).
This issue shows a great divide in our nation, which almost mirrors the political divide between Republicans and Democrats, split right down the middle. Many of our newest residents, Hispanics, being largely Catholic, agree with the president.
I want to be respectful to both sides.
Religious fundamentalists believe, simply, that using human embryos for research is wrong. At the very least it’s tampering with the stuff of God. I grew up Catholic and certainly understand the prohibition against the taking of life. I also get the idea of the slippery slope, where granting stem cell research now might eventually lead to cloning human beings for spare parts and such. None of us wants this.
“Medical researchers believe stem cell research has the potential to change the face of human disease by being used to repair specific tissues or to grow organs. Yet there is general agreement that, ‘significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research.’” (Wikipedia)
Nancy Reagan and Michael J. Fox are in favor of stem cell research, as was the late Dana Reeve. Ms. Reagan, of course, thinks it could lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s. Mr. Fox is interested in alleviating Parkinson’s disease. Ms. Reeve wanted to help spinal-chord injury patients walk again.
I’ve considered both sides carefully. I respect where each is coming from. My decision is, I am firmly pro stem cell research, for two major reasons:
First, if you are concerned with life, think how many lives will be saved from this research.
Second, I can’t believe that God is only concerned with life itself. I believe He must care also about the quality of life.
This Post's Technorati Tags: editorial, opinion, stem cell research, conservative, liberal, Catholic, Nancy Reagan, Michael J. Fox, Dana Reeve, George W. Bush
5 comments:
Please take a look at my blog "On The Right" at
http://rendevouswithdestiny.blogspot.com/
I just added a link to your site. Keep up the good work!
Steve, thank you so much. I'll link to you too.
Rock
Steve, just saw your site. Wow! Great minds think alike.
Rock
A new type of stem cell extraction, using a single cell out of the early eight-cell stage, will not result in the destruction of the developing child. Since these cells are taken anyway in "choosing" which embryos to emplant after in vitro fertilization, this is a good development. However, in this method, more embryos die after one is chosen. However, this is definitely a better choice than using fetal cells from abortions or cloning.
Personally, I believe in vitro fertilization is an unneccary science. Parents who cannot concieve have the option of adoption of those rescued from abortion through the level-headed decisions of birth parents. Ronald Reagan's FIRST wife approved of THAT method -- see http://reagan.com/index.php
[I've read Michael Reagan's "Twice Adopted" I recommend it.]
If however, it continues to be used and the cell removal testing contiues to be used to no detriment to the embryo, then this can at least give us a new source of stem cells that don't result in destruction. Meanwhile, results using cord blood and bone marrow cells are promising.
A new type of stem cell extraction, using a single cell out of the early eight-cell stage, will not result in the destruction of the developing child. Since these cells are taken anyway in "choosing" which embryos to emplant after in vitro fertilization, this is a good development. However, in this method, more embryos die after one is chosen. However, this is definitely a better choice than using fetal cells from abortions or cloning.
Henry, I just have to respect you for your opinions. I like you and respect you personally, by your spirit as comes through in your site and posts, so I have to be humble and just allow you to make your comments without any smartass reply by me.
I see things slightly different than you, but I know you are a true man of God, and I am always listening for God trying to talk to me--so I just will listen to your views, and take them into account.
God bless you.
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