George Bush has produced a policy on embryonic stem cell research that is both morally and scientivically sound. Last thursday night, the U.S. Prez said that federal government funding will not be provided to stem cell research projects that rely on the destruction of human embryos, but money will be available to help scientists use existing stem cell lines to find treatments for conditions such as lupus, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and leukemia.
Partisans on both sides of the debate were dissapointed. Some abortion opponents were outraged that Mr.Bush permitted funding for any research in the area. Even some prominent anti-abortion organizations such as Focus on the family, gave at least a qualified endorsement to the prez's decision(go figure). Opponents have criticized Bush for letting political considerations guide his policy. While it is true that the Prez's research standard almost exactly bisects the issue, taking a position between the those who would fund all embryonic stem cell research and thosae who would fund none, there is merit in such a middle course. Mr.Bush's stance ensures that, looking forward, the goverment will not encourage the sacrafce of human embryos in order to save the lives of those already born. Yet, recognizing that embryos already destroyed cannot be brough back, the Prez would still permit the government to support scientists who are seeking to determine whether stem cell therapies will live up to their theoretical potential.
The policy strikes a balance, in other words, between the value of human life and the desire of people living with cripiling disorders to seek relief.
If the stem cell research were closer to producing medical treatments, or if it had been established that non-embryonic stem cells could never matchthe potential of embryonic ones, Mr. Bush's plan would appear too timid. But in my honest humble opinion, I thin stem cell research " IS PROBABLY MANY YEARS FROM ANY POSSIBLE APPLICATION TO TREATMENT." For the time being,the number of stem cell lines in existence is probably suffficient to carry the research load. In the future, scientists may discover that more stem cell lines ar needed or that none are needed because other stem cell sources will provide them with an equivilant or superior stem cell source. In that case, teh federal government's policy will require updating.
Stem cell research offers promise because stem cells can develop into virtually any type of cell in the human body, and thus they may lead to therapies that permit scientists to produce tissue or whole organs that can be used to replace diseased body parts. It's potential to revolutionize medicine is, on paper at least, enourmous. Mr.Bush seems to have found a way to explore that potential without devaluing human life.
Any comments or opinions would be appreciated on this topic.
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ROLL THE DICE
Partisans on both sides of the debate were dissapointed. Some abortion opponents were outraged that Mr.Bush permitted funding for any research in the area. Even some prominent anti-abortion organizations such as Focus on the family, gave at least a qualified endorsement to the prez's decision(go figure). Opponents have criticized Bush for letting political considerations guide his policy. While it is true that the Prez's research standard almost exactly bisects the issue, taking a position between the those who would fund all embryonic stem cell research and thosae who would fund none, there is merit in such a middle course. Mr.Bush's stance ensures that, looking forward, the goverment will not encourage the sacrafce of human embryos in order to save the lives of those already born. Yet, recognizing that embryos already destroyed cannot be brough back, the Prez would still permit the government to support scientists who are seeking to determine whether stem cell therapies will live up to their theoretical potential.
The policy strikes a balance, in other words, between the value of human life and the desire of people living with cripiling disorders to seek relief.
If the stem cell research were closer to producing medical treatments, or if it had been established that non-embryonic stem cells could never matchthe potential of embryonic ones, Mr. Bush's plan would appear too timid. But in my honest humble opinion, I thin stem cell research " IS PROBABLY MANY YEARS FROM ANY POSSIBLE APPLICATION TO TREATMENT." For the time being,the number of stem cell lines in existence is probably suffficient to carry the research load. In the future, scientists may discover that more stem cell lines ar needed or that none are needed because other stem cell sources will provide them with an equivilant or superior stem cell source. In that case, teh federal government's policy will require updating.
Stem cell research offers promise because stem cells can develop into virtually any type of cell in the human body, and thus they may lead to therapies that permit scientists to produce tissue or whole organs that can be used to replace diseased body parts. It's potential to revolutionize medicine is, on paper at least, enourmous. Mr.Bush seems to have found a way to explore that potential without devaluing human life.
Any comments or opinions would be appreciated on this topic.
------------------
ROLL THE DICE
