Stem cell research?

Question

Why is it that when the argument of stem cell, genetic sequence, and genetic markering comes up our representatives pander to the less informed with an argument that they could be the victims of "genetic discrimination"? We live in a world where the strong rule and the fittest survive, why would we think that we can turn our backs on a technology that will be explored anyway? Maybe its just me but it sounds like those representatives want to put the people in a position where thier discrimination is a definite. Any thoughts.

Answer 1

I am a cancer survivor and do not think Stem Cell research should be done.

It is not a matter of technology or being less informed, to me its about trying to play God and what is right.

I always hear "If they had stem cell research they could have done something about your cancer" Well my morals are not for sale and I accept that there are just things in nature that happen.

Answer 2

Actually they are pandering to a minority of radical religious zealots who make loud noises and get on the news with warnings of gloom and doom and killing of little tiny microscopic 'babies'. All for the purpose of getting re-elected. They could not care less about the medical breakthroughs possible from such research. I do wonder though, if they have the courage of their stated convictions and would be willing to save all those 'unborn babies' by having the embryos that they are so worried about, implanted in their wives or daughters or themselves (for the females reps) so that those blastocysts wont be discarded in the trash (as is happening now).
It is all about the vote and living the good life as a US congress person.

Answer 3

Yes I agree. Why is it they don't want us to do something with the embryos that will just be destroyed anyway? I mean if they are going to be tossed at least give them a chance to make a difference in the world. What if this is the answer to cancer, aids, or any other life threatening (or non)? I mean waste not want not...well we are doing a lot of wasting. Embryos are harvested for people every day who either get more than they need harvested or choose not to use them. Why not put them to good use instead of wasting a life for nothing? They want to haul religion into it just like with gay rights. What about separation of church and state I mean they take "One nation under God" out of our pledge but when it is convenient for them they throw in the religion card! The things this country's leaders do sometimes just makes no sense to me at all!

Answer 4

well for a lay men like me and you it is so easy to criticize our government and leader saying what is said below and above
taking into consideration the holistic picture of this research you also have to take the risk factor into consideration their is no dought that eventually we will embark into the journey of genetic engineering in full speed but if you do not have all the rules and regulation and law enforcement placed properly you reach to a situation where you are forced to revert and make drastic changes.take the example India today in India million of fetuses are destroyed because they are girl not boys where this is taking India to. say in 20 years time you will have imbalance of men and women in very serious way despite of government ban all this practices go very unnoticed as you require very small instrument like wise if here a free hand is given to stem cell research it will lead to fantasy in no time then people like you will post question why should we play with nature. my dear stem cell research is not banned in USA it,s only funding witch is regulated.

Answer 5

They do it because it becomes a religious argument, and the "moral majority" will go and vote elsewhere if they vote for it. They are being "wishy-washy" to keep votes and make sure that it doesn't become a "hot button" topic in the elections.

It's sad, because the research could bring around some cures for some very serious diseases that people are dying from. But what the hell. It doesn't affect them, does it??

Answer 6

These decisions are being made by politicians following their own religious bigotry.

Stem cells will eventually assisting in total control over cancer and many other diseases and causes of death and suffering.

Politicians when seeking to ban stem cell research claim to be pro life. Pro whose life? Certainly not the millions who suffer and die each year when they could be saved by this!

Answer 7

Embryonic stem cell research is a joke. you run into rejection problems just like any other form of transplant. there are myriad Adult stem-cell therapies that have been succesfully used to treat diseases with no fear of rejection of the new tissues because they come from the recipient.

here is an example:
My aunt has/had bone cancer she received a bone marrow transplant, from herself. the doctors harvested her stem cells and then injected them into her marrow cavities. they gave her a 30% chance of surviving the procedure. compare that to the 10% chance of surviving a traditional (from someone else) bone marrow transplant that she was given. any therapy based on embryonic stem cells will run into rejection problems while adult stemcells have no rejection problems.

Answer 8

Embryonic stem cell research is un-needed and unethical. There are plenty of stem cells in the imbilical cord that is discarded after birth, and also adult stem cells can be harvested. It is morally wrong.

Answer 9

If our politicians had something to gain, you bet there would be stem cell research.