Overturning the restrictions on stem cell funding needs to be a priority NOW!
By: tokatakiya
Published On: 8/25/2006 12:53:20 PM
Yesterday saw the advent of a new era in embryonic stem (ES) cell research. Researchers at a private company in Boston have found a way to generate ES cell lines by removing a single cell from a two-day old embryo. Removing this cell does not reduce the viability of the embryo.
Incredible. Amazing. Ethical crises averted. Last one out, turn out the lights+óGé¼-ª
+óGé¼-ª(sigh) if only.
The President still opposes this line of research. People say he has a tin ear but this is maddening. Why is he still opposing it?...
Read the rest: http://tokatakiya.bl...
Comments
At the risk of being attacked... (va.walter - 8/25/2006 2:02:35 PM)
There are no restrictions of stem cell research.
Of course there are. (Lowell - 8/25/2006 2:17:46 PM)
Federal funding is critical for scientific resarch like this, and there are HUGE restrictions on stem cell research that receives federal funding.
Come on now Lowell. (va.walter - 8/25/2006 2:24:28 PM)
As you and I both know, there is HUGE difference between restrictions on funding and restrictions on research. There are actual restrictions on certain human cloning research for example. There are no such restrictions on any form of stem cell research. This isn't about where you stand on the issue, it's about intellectual and rhetorical honesty when discussing the issue. I know the other side plays dirty but I like to take the high road. It is a compelling enough argument to say there's no justification for restrictions on funding without making the incorrect assertion that there are restrictions on the research.
To say restrictions on funding are restrictions on the research is to assume that it is the government's job to fund all legal research. I simply cannot accept that assumption.
We fundamentally disagree on this one. (Lowell - 8/25/2006 5:39:17 PM)
My sister has Juvenile Diabetes, and I want her cured. I think her life's a LOT more valuable than some days-old blastocyst that's going to be thrown out anyway (see
here for what happens to unused embryos). Federal funding for this research is crucial, and President Bush is going against the strong wishes of the vast majority of Americans on this one. Why?!?
Not to be overly optimistic (tokatakiya - 8/25/2006 6:03:15 PM)
but diabetes should be one of the "easier" (and first) disorders to be treated with ES cells. Unlike many other diseases that have the potential of being cued with ES cells, the idea is that "all" you need to do is grow isogenic insulin producing cells and transplant them into the patient.
Obviously, it is more complicated than that but, as disease research goes, this is pretty straight forward.
If I read the heading wrong.. (va.walter - 8/25/2006 2:33:13 PM)
and it originally said "stem cell funding," then I apologize. I could have sworn it said "stem cell research." I suppose I could have read it right and it was edited. Either way, I now agree with the title.
I did not change the title. (tokatakiya - 8/25/2006 5:25:25 PM)
I am well aware of the restrictions. You probably should have read the ENTIRE post instead of quickly scanning the headline.
It freaks me out (tokatakiya - 8/27/2006 1:57:50 AM)
that they are handling the biohazardous waste without gloves! What the hell?