Those equating the current debate with abortion are ignorant and mis-informed. The bill Bush is set to veto simply would allow federal money to be used in research that would be conducted on 5 or 6 day old fetuses from fertility clinics that would normally be destroyed. These are called "blastocysts" and consist of 100-150 cells that have been frozen for possible implantation via invitro-fertilization. Once the donor has a child, these blastocysts (usually 10-20 of them) are usually destroyed. Over 20,000 of them are destroyed every year.
The other bill that passed today makes the majority of opposition to HR810 a moot point. It makes it illegal to "fetus farm" or induce pregnancy specifically to abort it for research.
Bush will still veto HR810, ignoring the will of 70%+ of the American people he serves.
What I don't understand is, if these "fetuses" are going to be destroyed anyway, why not use them to possibly save people?
A few people have mentioned the "federal funding" part of the bill: Most of the major research hospitals in this country (Dana Farber, Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, The Mayo Clinic, etc) recieve federal research money already. They are, therefore, prohibited from doing research on any stem cell lines except the few contaminated ones that are available today. This bill will not cost you much, if any, more than you are paying today, but may save your life 20 years down the road.
For a good, basic overview of what stem cell research is, check my link:
2006-07-18 16:48:07
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answer #1
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answered by john_stolworthy 6
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Stem cell research is a relatively new technology that uses human embryo cells to treat disease. The embryo cells are called "stem cells" because they can be stimulated to develop into any type of body cell or system. Human embryo cells are especially valuable because they can be used to treat and possibly cure many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimers.
Stem cells have been identified in placental tissue, blood, and fat but these sources are limited in their efficacy. Embryonic stem cells have much more potential and are harvested when the embryos are no more than a few days old. The process destroys the embryos.
check this site for more info
2006-07-18 16:21:50
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answer #2
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answered by maryj 2
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Embryonic stem cells are obtained from a group of 100-150 cells around 4-5 days after a sperm fertilizes an egg in a laboratory petri dish. This is done in infertility clinics to help infertile couples. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman's body. After fertility treatments, the couples can choose to donate these excess embryonic cells to research or throw them away. So, instead of just throwing these left over cells away, scientists hope to put these cells to use and research cures to save others.
This bill would provide federal funding for the use of these infertility treatment embryos. Scientists do not use aborted fetuses.
2006-07-18 20:54:21
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answer #3
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answered by paul 3
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Its federal funding for stem cell research beyond those he already approved.
No it wouldn't be embryos that would have gone full term. In many/most cases it is embryos that are frozen at fertility labs. In many cases those are discarded when the potential mother either gets pregnant or can't. So in reality these would be thrown away anyway--
The key thing here is FEDERAL FUNDING to do it. I'm all for the research, but I'm not so crazy about funding it with my tax dollars.
2006-07-18 16:36:20
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answer #4
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answered by dapixelator 6
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When people have artificial fertilization, meaning they fertilize eggs in a petri dish with sperm, there are dozens, sometimes hundreds of embryos left over. The fertility clinics destroy these extra embryos.
The legislation would allow very strictly for people who authorize the destruction of those embryos to have the option to donate it to federally funded research. It is very strictly limited to what has been slated for destruction in fertility clinics.
What Bush is doing is making certain that those embryos are destroyed.
2006-07-19 15:52:16
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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It's pretty Technical so I suggest you do your own research on the topic.........
I would point out though,That those people who seem to think its the same as Abortion are pretty Ignorant........
The Fact is,The embryo is one that has not developed a central nervous system..........Meaning it hasn't had time to form into what any normal person would consider a human life........
It's a shame people can't get past Religion...........
If they could we might be able to cure a lot of Disease's we currently have to worry about.......
2006-07-18 16:37:21
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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It's basically genetically engineering body parts (like a liver) compatible with someone who needs a transplant. It'll drastically shrink the organ donor wait list and save tons of lives. I don't know why he's vetoing it since he can have so much more soldiers to make him and Cheney richer by sending them off to needless deaths in Iraq. But then again, Bush is an idiot.
2006-07-18 16:21:12
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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abortion for profit, through research with your tax dollars
2006-07-18 16:24:09
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answer #8
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answered by Ibredd 7
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http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2006-25,GWYA:en&q=stem+cell+research
2006-07-18 16:20:56
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answer #9
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answered by Lizziedoddle B 2
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