Why do some people oppose stem cell research?

Question

Stem cell research appears to offer a great potential to develop new cures and relieve suffering.

I would have thought that this ought to be welcomed by everyone. Why are some people more concerned about the "rights" of a few cells rather than real life human suffering. This does'nt seem very moral.

Answer 1

Facts are hard to understand, especially with new sciences. A lot of misinformation spread by under-educated or uneducated people has been implanted into the brains of people who trust only the uneducated, because they say that scientists are "evil".

During my brief stint in New York, I was actually swung on debating this topic. The person in question thought that the only way you could get stem cells was from the brain stem of an aborted fetus. I couldn't make that up if I tried.

Answer 2

I do not oppose stem cell research but I can accept the Presidents view of it.

Pro Lifers believe that using the stem cells of aborted fetuses would create more abortions or it would be benefiting from murder, in the same way using donated organs from executed prisoners could create an ethical problem. I am pro choice but I understand their point of view.

I think the pro stem cell crowd has been oversold on stem cell research. They act as if it the second coming of Christ. I think that is an example of diseases being politicized for somebody's partisan games. Stem Cell research is NOT a panacea, it will not cure everything. If it was a panacea then capitalism would take over, if it was going to cure everything, then what pharmaceutical company would not be interested in it?

That being said I still do support stem cell research. I think the Presidents solution is very wise. Since there is a group that opposes it on credible grounds and a group that wants it; then they can only use the cells that are already in use; if they are spending federal money.

The Bush plan DOES NOT PROHIBIT ANY STEM CELL RESEARCH! It only stops federal money for new lines.

It is not simple.

Answer 3

People are against the stem cell research that destroys the forming fetus, (which many consider a life), however, no one that I know of is opposed to the research that gathers stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta.

Answer 4

I am an atheist and I oppose the destruction of foetii for stem cell research because the scientific and ethical calculus of human potential all point to conception as being the start of human potential.

I do not oppose stem cell research from reverted cells from adults, however. I would not oppose stem cell research from amniotic fluid collected cells, or from the placenta or from cord-blood. These things would not terminate a human potential.

But I do not and cannot support the termination of a fetus for the sake of harvesting its cells.

Answer 5

Right now, there's just a LOT of misinformation being disseminated. It raises ethical questions that will have to be addressed, one way or another, but it's really a contentious issue because it appears to touch that same nerve that anti-abortionists* are so quick to react to. I am not too worried about this. I think it will settle down beginning in 2009 (I wonder why?) and people will feel less affronted and be more inclined to educate themselves. These are just the birth pains of an exciting new branch of knowledge.

* I don't say "anti-abortionist" pejoratively; I'm just trying to use the most accurate, least propagandized term.

Answer 6

If it results in a cure for something then more power to the scientists that do stem cell research!

Answer 7

My jaded response is that pharmaceutical companies have enough money to buy public opinion and they don't want actual cures to replace the need for meds.

Answer 8

Embryonic stem cell research is the only controversy I know of. It begs the same morality debate as abortion.

Would a sane person commit suicide for science?
How about a 2 year old?
A 6 month old fetus?
(preemies are getting younger and younger)

Answer 9

they claim that all the cells come from aborted fetuses, and therefore we are committing murder. Even if that was true, I wouldn't mind being sacrificed like that if it meant curing MS or some other horrific disease.

Answer 10

Because they are messing with Gods Work, They tell us one thing and do another, I think this is hitting too close for the wrong hands to get a hold of.