What would be the best compromise between the Chruch, Government, and Science on the subject on stem cell research and it's applications?
2006-10-31 18:47:32 · 7 answers · asked by bboyballer112 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Great question, and there might be several good answers.
There is a lot of great research going on right now using the stem cells of adults. No one is opposed to this. Most of the best results right now are coming from this research.
Most research being done on fetuses have not been very productive. However, it is my understanding (and I could be wrong) that most of the fetal stem cells they are receiving are from abortions. If that is the case, the results are not surprising. They want to work with living stem cells, taken from a live fetus. The way they want to do this is by fertilizing human eggs in a petri dish. I don't believe they have been allowed to do this.
The argument from the Christians is that you are creating a new life in this case just to discard it. There has been one scientist who has tried to circumvent this argument by manipulating some genes in the egg before fertilization. When this is done, the zygote can never develop into a human, but will just become a lump of cells. While this might alleviate the fears for many Christians, for many others it will not. It is also feared that this might have a negative effect on the experiments.
I believe the best approach is to further educate Christians. Not just on the research, but also on what the Bible has to say. Nowhere does the Bible say that life begins at conception. There are some passages that certainly indicate that life begins in the womb, and at a time very close to conception. There is a verse, however, that states that life is in the blood. A zygote can only be frozen for purposes of IVF for the first 2 weeks, after that it will die in the petri dish, and if you remove it from the mother and freeze it, it will also die. Why? Well, the placenta forms on the 14th day (I might be a day off, it's been a while), providing the embryo with blood. I believe this is when life begins, and I believe any Christian would have a very difficult time disputing this. I believe if we teach the church both the science and the scripture of when life begins, the church will accept it, and will embrace any procedure that might bring about cures for so many diseases.
2006-11-01 00:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by Serving Jesus 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how you look at it, there's really only two factors: The church and science. The government sides with one or the other (currently, its the church).
The most obvious compromise would be to use adult (somatic) stem cells (such as those found in bone marrow and blood that produce new cells of those types). The problem is that the word "Stem Cell" has such a negative connotation to those of religious persuasion that its difficult to show a stem cell naysayer that stem cells can be had without the cost of an embryo.
The best possible scenario for science and the furthering of medicine in general is fetuses that would be aborted by a woman's choice would instead be used for stem cell research. However, given the current government's siding with the church, its may soon be near impossible to get an abortion anymore let alone donate one's embryo to stem cell research.
2006-11-01 03:01:16 · answer #2 · answered by Takfam 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read information that they can get stem cells without using a "discarded" embryo. I'm not sure if it's in the experimental stage right now but I know they are working on it. I received this information from a book I read on Christopher Reeves. That to me, would be the only way to deal with this problem having to do with discarded life.
2006-11-01 02:55:01 · answer #3 · answered by Nancy D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The stem cells in question are routinely treated as medical waste,have been for years, and if the NeoCon's have their way will continue to be.
This .........material can save millions of lives and cure all known disease. It is routinely disposed of in a way that does not support the dignity or sanctity of human life. The NeoCons seem O.K. with this........but using this discarded humanity to promote the well being of all humanity is somehow sacred..........Sorry folks, but I don't get it.
I have a son who is 35 who has lived with a life threatening disease since he was 14. This research could give him the normal life he had then. From material which is routinely...............discarded.
When someone is an organ donor we honor and respect them........do the math. Medical waste???? Possible Cures?????
Stop isolating US Scientists, stop restricting them, they aint trying to clone anything. They are trying to cure Parkinsons, Diabetes, Cancer, Heart Disease etc.
They only want access to discarded medical waste.
2006-11-01 03:52:44 · answer #4 · answered by Norton N 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dont know it seems like they could use the afterbirth and get stem cells from that. No one would object because the baby doesnt need it anymore. But maybe im wrong and it doesnt have stem cells.
2006-11-01 11:55:36 · answer #5 · answered by Amberlyn4 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do the research and screw the church. If those bastards dont want the cure then they shouldnt use it but why do they wish to kill the rest of us. They are murderers Simple.
2006-11-01 04:57:05 · answer #6 · answered by paulc_09 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well if your an organ donator and you die what's the problem
2006-11-01 03:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋