Good news.

[BuckeyeSoldier]

they wont clarity because they cant, they dont know anything about the issue except the propaganda everyone is force fed by some zealots. the words stem-cell and cloning have been effectively linked to abortion in most americans minds by the propaganda and now its almost impossible to even have this debate on a rational level..

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Stem cells can be extracted from umbilical cords...there is absolutely no reason to resort to aborting fetuses.

 

[Clarity]

Stem cells can be extracted from umbilical cords...there is absolutely no reason to resort to aborting fetuses.

That suggests that someone out there would abort fetuses just for the sake of getting stem cells. I'm not aware of anyone anywhere suggesting that. Getting cells from aborted fetuses is one of the 4 viable means of approach, but they'd be extracted from fetuses already being aborted anyway in clinics around the country. Stem cell extraction from aborted fetuses wouldn't promote abortion, if anything it would provide a positive byproduct of something already happening anyway.

It's worth pointing out though that beyond the aspect that speaks to making use of the byproducts of abortion, there are still 3 other ways of getting stem cells that have nothing to do with that issue. But let's focus on this one anyway. It's not "let's abort fetuses to serve this end", it's "let's make use of an otherwise wasted resource."

Like adult stem cells, newborn (umbilical) stem cells offer promise and require their own research. There are knocks though. Embryonic stem cells =/= newborn stem cells =/= adult stem cells. Premium, Plus and Unleaded Gas.

 

[vrbryant]

Instead of recycling our garbage, we should just never throw anything away. Ever.

 

[buckiprof]

That type of constipation of the mind may be something that zealots celebrate, but we're doing it to ourselves, it's not being done to us.

This is very true but the zealots of the past 25 or so years have been consistently giving one message that over time have caused many to close their minds and simply follow along like sheeple. Propaganda consistently delivered over many years has had an effect on some people in our society that has led to a certain constipation of the collective mind.

With all due respect to the former first lady, she's stepping outside of of "ideological boundaries" because she's seen first-hand what Alzheimer's can do to a once-strong, vibrant and intelligent man.

Because she has seen what Alzheimer's has done to a once strong and vibrant (sorry, can't say intelligent) man, it appears to have changed her ideological boundaries. This isn't something that she should be chastised for but instead applauded. She hasn't remained stagnant in her ideological views, but instead she has modified her views. For any individual to have the same ideological views as an 80 year old as he/she had as a 20 year old would indicate nothing was learned throughout his/her lifetime. Life teaches lessons, but only if one is receptive to learning. Many times the lessons are given in a manner in which the former first lady experienced. Stem cell research for her may have been a vague abstract concept until her husband contracted one of the worst diseases known. Then stem cell research may have moved from being a vague abstract concept to something a little more concrete for her. Many times it takes something to happen to a loved one to serve as an impetus for change to one's ideology or even change laws. (An example, although not nearly as charged as this one, is the Amber Alert)

 

[BuckeyeBeliever]

BuckeyeSoldier and Clarity, you are both right on the money with this issue.

It's amazing to me, how the game of politicis works...
some people seem to treat it just like they do their sports...

"I'm on the republican team, whatever they say is right and whatever the Dems say is wrong"

what a simplisitic approach to reality!

 

[Bucklion]

OK, I preface this by saying I work in research, so I am completely biased.


However, I know first-hand what some of my colleagues, some of the most brilliant people on the planet, could potentially do with them (stem cells), so to be blunt, the fact that the research is hamstrung unnecessarily by politics of irrelevant issues like abortion (irrelevant to this particular issue, not irrelevant in general, I mean) just plain sucks. I personally agree about the removal of partial birth abortion (no medical professional has ever been able to give me one example where this procedure will save a mother's life) mentioned earlier, and with many of the other posts here as well, but this research doesn't have to have anything to do with abortion, as adults have stem cells, there is umbilical harvesting (as mentioned), etc. Christopher Reeve gave an empassioned plea at a conference I was at a couple of years ago advocating this research, and it was a very moving and powerful speech he gave. Unfortunately, millions will suffer until the political hacks from both parties, who don't think for themselves at all, get done arguing about which ridiculous "slippery slope" we are going to slide down, and that is unfortunate, but a fact of life in our 2 party system. I understand the concerns people have, but this research could still be conducted with regulations about the source of the cells, which would allay the fears of clear-thinking people for the most part.

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

She hasn't remained stagnant in her ideological views, but instead she has modified her views.

That means she's a wishy-washy waffler, Prof.

As far as the stem cell research issue, I have alway supported the idea. To discard an incredibly promising area of medical research due to unfounded fears of asembly-line abortions is rediculous.

 

[buckiprof]

That means she's a wishy-washy waffler, Prof.

I would love to say that, since the party she is associated with uses that phrase all too often, but I can't. I tend to believe that over time ones views can change on all sorts of matters. That is if the individual is open to new ideas and reflection and self-reflection. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy to get some to self-reflect and re-evaluate things and maybe challenge the certaintude they previously had on certain items.

As far as the stem cell research issue, I have alway supported the idea.

I too have supported this type of research. I have also supported the idea of therapeutic cloning, but that is another discussion.