I'm wondering what the thoughtful arguments are against stem cell research. I have been watching and reading up on it and am having a hard time understanding why people oppose it. It "seems" that once you shoot down most of the arguments, people fall on the one of using tax dollars for research, they oppose the use of tax dollars being used for the research. But our government funds research of all kinds that is beneficial to us all, so this seems like a hollow argument that is being used just to keep from admitting you might be on the wrong side of the issue??
This is a link to the full interview with Michael J. Fox by Katie Couric.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml
2006-10-27 13:35:32 · 12 answers · asked by Lisa M 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Being a Conservative Republican i am in favor of any research that will help the American people. I have no problem with the Federal Govt. funding research on Stem Cells. I have seen so much waste of tax payer money for research that is ridiculous and has no benefit for society that it would be good to maybe someday accomplish something that would eliminate Parkinson and Alzheimer's.
2006-10-27 13:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by daydoom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no truly thoughtful arguments against stem cell research.
Stem cells are zygotes which live in petri dishes in laboratories. There are so called adult stem cells, taken from adult people, and there are embryonic stem cells, taken from surplus artificially inseminated eggs in fertility clinics and such ... test tube babies if you will ...
Religious people worry about cloning humans and killing embryonic babies ... just like they oppose abortions.
The irony on this issue, is that if stem cell research doesnt happen with those living cells in petri dishes, then they are often simply discarded, thrown away, thereby ending their 'lives'. None of these is capable of becoming a human being on its own. They are just cells in a lab. They are unique because of their self replicating ability ... kinda like a star fish ....
Scientists who are studying these cells theorize many things ; there are a myriad of medical discoveries which could result from studying and working with these cells. Indeed there are already some therapies for some diseases today which utilize adult stem cells ... like bone marrow donors ... stem cells from the core of healthy bones are crucial to heal people who are anemic.
It is very complicated science. I have found that those who oppose this research have never really studied the issue, or read much about it. The majority of those who oppose it speak from an ideological belief, lacking true understanding of the issue.
Rush Limbaugh chastizing Michael J Fox is sad. Limbaugh is a horrible man, a political puppett, who spews spin, fear, hate and misinformation.
By analogy, look back in history to the first 'doctors' who studied human anatomy through autopsies. Religious fanatics in those eras labelled these scientists heretic, in league with the devil, and often arrested them, tortured them, imprisonned them, or murdered them in the name of God. Things havent changed much from the middle ages.
2006-10-27 13:52:02 · answer #2 · answered by cosmowinterbottom 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the government didn't take 20% of our hard earned money through the scam known as the "income tax", people who are interested in funding research, could actually afford private donations.
2006-10-27 13:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's being misrepresented. Many people are against embryonic stem cell research - something which has reportedly shown little or no progress. There are also loopholes in the law proposed in Missouri which would make it legal for women to donate (or sell) their eggs, which would then be fertilized (making them embryos) and for cloning. In the meantime, umbilical cord stem cell research is showing the most promise and doesn't involve embryos at all. It makes more sense to proceed in that direction.
2006-10-27 13:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Boof 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Repuglicans oppose any kind of progress, that is why they are repugicans, I wonder if these neo-cons today would have been around when Jonas Salk found a way to prevent polio if they would have denied him research money. My guess is that we would have had a lot more cases of polio if it wasn't for the funding of the federal government. They really should be ashamed but many of them will remain with blinders on, and will only look at what is good for them and not what is good for humanity, they will not change until something tragic happens to them.
2006-10-27 13:43:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
our government supports some artists and art work that I don't believe is beneficial to anyone-but my tax dollars pay for it
This is a debate of science versus religion.
is it possible that stem cell research can help millions of people- yes
is it more or less evil to destroy the embryos or keep them in storage indefinitely?
is it more or less evil to keep these embryos in storage indefinitely or use them to help millions?
2006-10-27 13:53:36 · answer #6 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I THINK IF GEORGE W BUSH OR ANY OF HIS FAMILY INCLUDING DADDIE AND NEAL HAD PARKINSON OR WERE DIABETIC YOU WOULD SEE STEM CELL RESEARCH AND IN A HUIRRY.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE IF THEY DO RESEARCH ON THE EMBROS OR FLUSH THEM DOWN THE TOILET? EITHER WAY THEY ARE KILLED SO WHATS THE POINT IN SAYING YOU ARE DESTROYING A LIFE IF YOU DO RESEARCH ON A EMBRO? ITS GOING TO BE JUST AS DESTROYED IF YOU FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET AND BESIDES IF YOU DO MEDICAL RESEARCHYOU MAY END UP SAVING LIVES. HOW MANY ARE YOU GOING TO SAVE BY FLUSHING EMBROS DOWN THE TOILET??
2006-10-27 13:47:20 · answer #7 · answered by roy40372 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) It was an overly emotional appeal for pity.
2) We are already paying for most of the world's medical research. He should go home to Canada & give that speach.
2006-10-27 14:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People don't want tax dollars to be used for things they are morally against
2006-10-27 13:39:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Again another misinformed liberal.
Republicans support stem cell research. Just not FEDERALLY FUNDED embyronic stem cell research.
http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm
2006-10-27 13:37:49 · answer #10 · answered by John 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋