Cure Disease, save lives/ Or flush the toilet (Stem Cells)

[Freethinker]

OK, in an effort to move elements of the Election debockel into seperate threads, here is one on Stem Cell Research.

Embryo's are created continually in fertilization clinics. Some small percent are transplanted to wombs. The rest are eventually disposed of rather than being allowed to use them for the most potentially benefitial medical research we have ever known!

There has not been a single valic reason given for this morally abhorant attack on humanity other than unsubstantiated religious mumbo jumbo. None of them hold up under even the slightest evaluation.

So instead of finding cures, we flush these unwanted embryos down the toilet.

[GAHD]

Fertility clinics shouldn't be making so many, there are allready too many people on the planet.

[Stargazer]

I don't see what the problem is, either. As far as I understand this research holds much promise.
Btw, are embryos the only way to get stem cells?

[IrishEyes]

Btw, are embryos the only way to get stem cells?

No, embryos are not the only way to get stem cells.

[Freethinker]

Originally posted by: IrishEyes
No, embryos are not the only way to get stem cells.

But they are the only way to get certain types of stem cells. "Embryonic" Stem cells. The best, most flexible ones. The ones that hold the most potential benefit. There are things that other (adult) stem cells just can't do. Yes we are having success with the other types. But they will never work in other areas.

It is like asking "Is it OK to only cure certain diseases?".

Which diseases should we decide to intentionally ignore and instead flush those extra already existing fertilized eggs down the drain? That it is better to intentionally waste them than to use them for incredibly benefitial purposes!

[Freethinker]

Originally posted by: GAHD
Fertility clinics shouldn't be making so many, there are allready too many people on the planet.

Wouldn;t that be a seperate issue? One of population growth, not usage of already existing extra embyo's?

Perhaps your question has more to do with the ethics of fertility enhancement? Should couples that are unable to concieve "naturally" be provided extra outside effort?

But what about those already existing embyonic stem cells that will soon be flushed away unless an effort is made to stop it and use them for higly benefitial medical applications?

[Freethinker]

California passed a law last week creating a $3 billion, 10-year fund to subsidize embryonic stem research. Massachusetts is now looking to fast track a similar measure.

Once more we find it is PROFITS that are driving "moral" issues, with people that were opposed to things deciding their pocket book is more important than their claimed moral indignation.

No moral dilema for those not driven primarily by profits while claiming religious ideology.

[GAHD]

Originally posted by: Freethinker

Wouldn;t that be a seperate issue? One of population growth, not usage of already existing extra embyo's?

Perhaps your question has more to do with the ethics of fertility enhancement? Should couples that are unable to concieve "naturally" be provided extra outside effort?

But what about those already existing embyonic stem cells that will soon be flushed away unless an effort is made to stop it and use them for higly benefitial medical applications?

First off, contrary to what must have been taught in the archaic age when you went to school, a sentence ending in '?' is a question. I have not posed a question in this thread, but made a statement.

That said, it isn't a separate issue. You claim it's outrageous these cells aren't being used for research, that they're just going to waste. I say they shouldn't be mass produced in the first place.

Now, to answer your last QUESTION(remember, sentence ending in '?' ); What about them? You want an effort made, purchase some and send them to Mexico where there aren't laws preventing cloning and embryonic research. If you feel particularly ambitious, you could always go donate the necessary material to a lab; I'm sure they'd love to get a sample of such a 'special' individual.

You want funding for those projects? Get your religious brethren to join you in making monthly donations to a place you think could use the money; you'd be surprised how far private funding goes.

[Aki]

Why are they creating more embryos than what they need? If they're going to flush the extras down the toilet, then just don't make that many of them.

[GAHD]

My point exactly Aki. I do understand that embryos react better to being frozen then either sperm or ova(ovum? too tired to check), but in all honesty there are always more people in need of money and thus a steady supply.