Facts about stem cell research and the midterm election?

Question

who will be directly impacted by the results of this miterm election?

Answer 1

1) EVERY advance gained from stem cell research has come through adult stem cells

2) ZERO advances have come through embryonic.

3) When ZERO advances come along, private funding for research dries up. Who wants to throw money at a losing proposition?

4) Stem cell research is not illegal.

5) The push for stem cell research is a veiled move to push for public funding for FAILED avenues of research.

"To date there is no evidence that cells generated from embryonic stem cells can be safely transplanted back into adult animals to restore the function of damaged or diseased adult tissues. The level of scientific rigor that is normally applied (indeed, legally required) in the development of potential medical treatments would have to be entirely ignored for experiments with human embryos to proceed. As our largely disappointing experience with gene therapy should remind us, many highly vaunted scientific techniques frequently fail to yield the promised results. Arbitrarily waiving the requirement for scientific evidence out of a naive faith in "promise" is neither good science nor a good use of public funds."

Answer 2

Stem Cell research
+ leading to medical advances that have positive outcomes for ill people

- some people have strong religious objections to use of stem cells

midterm elections - an opportunity for people to register their views on this issue. Of course this is only valid if it is the most important decider in selecting representative ie if 10% really want it and 20% really don't but 70% vote on other lines then the outcome of legislative votes could go either way depending on the views of those representative who were not picked by the electorate on this issue. Representative democracy is an imperfect tool though preferable to many other forms of government

Answer 3

1. The eggs we are referring to are fertalized eggs that will be destroyed when they are no longer needed. Thousands of eggs are harvested but 100's of thousands, maybe millions, are destroyed in fertility clinics. Only about 4 fertalized eggs can be inserted in the womb during invitro fertilization, but hundreds are made. These are the eggs that are routinely destroyed, that could be saving lives.

Republicans block funding for embryonic cell research for whatever reason. When you consider how valuable this research would be for persons who suffer from diseases such as Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Cancer, just to name a few. Research would also help persons who are crippled or suffer spinal disorders. Republicans sponsor, grudgingly, adult stem cell research. They call it promising. It's not. Not for the types of diseases we need cures for. That needs embryonic stem cells, not adult stem cells.Since we cannot get legislation past the Republicans, many states are taking up the cause at the state level. We desperately need it, to save lives. It will take years of research to accomplish great results. Maybe you remember Nancy Reagon begging the Executive Branch to reconsider after expresident Ronald Reagon died from Alzheimers?

The true facts are (in my opinion), 1) These embryonic stem cells hold the key to cures--they will be destroyed daily when they are not used. 2) Republicans like big business. The Food & Drug Adm (yes, one of the biggest, money stealing conglomerates in our Govt) likes disease. It caters Pharmaceutical Company's (big business). Remember, there is no money in the cure, only the disease. If we had a cure for every disease we could find, one of the biggest rip-offs in American history (FDA) would not be needed. Know this, the American people are paying up to 3 x's what other countries are paying for the exact same meds (from the same companies). This news came out just last week. Think it's a coincidence that the President banned Canadian companies from selling pharmaceuticals to US citizens? He has now appealed the ban (but only for 3 month). I suspect they are looking for other "good excuses" to continue the ban. Hope I "enlightened" you some. All true if you watch CNN. Honest.

Answer 4

Adult stem cell research has worked. Embryonic stem cell research has been unsuccessful. All the hoopla about allowing more embryonic stem cell research must have an underloying motive. It would make sense to pursue the successful research.