Comments on: Debrief: The Embryonic Stem Cell Debate

[bigwhtpony]

Dems make such a BFD out of this....it's not like the research WASN'T going on.....it just didn't receive any federal funding. It figures an amoral man like president Urkel would have no problem using tax $$$ from people who oppose it on religious grounds.

[Slrman]

Because we have religious freedom in America, the religious reich is free to believe whatever nonsense they choose. They are NOT free to impose their beliefs on others via force of law.

If they are opposed to stem cell or any other medical research, they should refuse treatment arising from that research. In fact, if they are sincere in their beliefs, they should refuse any medical advance not approved by the bible or what ever "Holy Book" they choose. That means, no casts for broken bones, no heart surgery, not even aspirin. They must accept all disease and suffering as "God's will". After all, it is a loving and just god right? So the illness and suffering must be good for them. Just leave the rest us, the rational people, alone.

[shameonbush]

It can be called a blastocyst, but it is, in fact, human life. We are all a ball of cells. To harvest human embryos for research is to put humanity itself at risk. This doesn't even have to be a religious argument, anyone should be able to see the devastation that this puts on society as a whole by supporting any kind of disregard for human life to this degree. Are we so de-sensitized to the unique qualities of human life that we would not only allow harvesting embryos for research but federally fund it? apparently we are.

[mentalpestilence]

www.mentalpestilence.com

The subject can become extremely torpid with so many stipulations as to what constitutes life. What pro-lifers consider life is really a blastocyst - the two to five day old embryo in the shape of a hollow ball (from which stem-cells are taken). It has no nervous system. It can't think. It's a ball of cells. Men's sperm looks more alive then a blastocyst does! At least those can swim. When a man masturbates he releases a plethora of potential cells that could turn into a fetus. Are these pro-life groups worried about us masturbating? (It wouldn't put it past me if they were). What about each egg that sheds during menstruation? What about having sex with a condom on? I mean, conception is so close you can almost hear the little ***** yelling "let me out!" But let's be honest, you?re really not giving life a chance with jr's raincoat on. How non pro-life of you to do that.

I can't even begin to point out all the other hypocrisies when stem-cell opponents exclaim embryos are real humans with the same entitled rights as you and me - well, unless your a gay embryo.Yet for all pragmatic purposes, there is one very ironic part to this whole issue. According to a USA Today report approximately one half-million embryos lie frozen in US fertility clinics. Frozen! So instead of using these cells to promote and expand great research to save actual lives, proponents of the ban would rather the embryos stay frozen. How non pro-life of them to do that.

These issues disclose an important fact: science has been stymied by a major impetus. That force is religion: an unscientific force that has been allowed to impede the progression of science. Why? Why in Texas was there recently a 7-7 tie as to whether creationism should be taught in schools? Why should we allow religious groups to falsely discredit and disparage factual, tangible scientific work? Just because the fossil record isn't completely intact? Because a book says the earth is at the center of the universe?

Science is in the business of understanding the beautiful complexities of life. There is no room for perversions. There is no room for putting a man on house arrest for the remainder of his life because he advocates the sun is at the center of the universe - which the Vatican did to Galileo. There is no room for putting a teacher on trial for teaching the principles of descent with modification - which is what happened to high school teacher John Scopes in 1926. And there is no room for holding scientists hostage because they want to use blastocysts to cure disease and save lives. Especially when opponents to stem-cell research exclaim their reason it is to save a life.

[DefendLiberty]

God will take care of the GOP religious zealots. He will make them see the light by giving their familes incurable diseases that could have been cured if only the nut jobs in the Christian TALIBAN GOP allowed embryonic stem cell research. Can I get this written into law? I mean- if the GOP far right religo-political wackos can make law from THEIR beliefs, why can't I?

These fanatics believe God talks to them. They believe their religion is definitive and ALL AMERICANS SHOULD BE FORCED TO LIVE BY THEIR INSANE INTERPRETATIONS OF THEIR RELIGIOUS TEXTS. Gee, sounds just like the nut jobs of EVERY religion- including the "islamo fascists" that the GOP likes to hang over our heads to incite fear.

Religious extremists and their political hitmen running todays rump GOP cannot be reasoned with. The only path to liberty is by keeping the zealots and nut jobs from power by ballot or by force if necessary. Defending the Republic against the THEOCRATIC RIGHT is patriotic and necessary to ensure liberty for all. Otherwise we will end up with the CHRISTIAN TALIBAN running an IRAN STYLE DICTATORSHIP of CHRISTIAN MULLAHS.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

[nearl451]

BigMistake.....perfect handle for you.

[nearl451]

Thanks Rowdy for supoprting the rights of my Sisters artificially fertilized eggs that are now frozen.

You see she was unable to conceive. Tried fertility drugs and ended up with two tubal pregnancies that HAD to be aborted to save her life. Wrecked one fallopian in the process. (She doesn't believe in abortion by the way)/

But luckily, through fertility drugs and man made technology, she made alot of eggs, they were collected and artificially fertilized using her husbands sperm, and she finally conceived. Now when she is done and theembryo's are to be destroyed......INSTEAD they can do some potential good.

MAN ENHANCED nature changes the rules. It is not God given life.

[lindy1945]

they are going to have to meet their maker someday!

[DeborahDoutt]

I would rather have abortion clinics funded and stem cell research done. It seems many people do not understand what a women feels when faced with an unwanted pregnancy, maybe they should go back to the days when abortions were done with things like coat hangers. Really---Think about it

[the74blaster]

Instead of coming down on the researchers and the facilities, people who are against it should come down on the people who are donating them.

Posted by drsuz at 4:29 PM : Mar 9, 2009

A couple of questions for you.

Do you feel that its alright to stalk, harass and intimidate the people who donate stem cells in the name of your religious beliefs?

Of course the next question is how is this any different than a terrorist who blows himself up to be a martyr according to their religion, other than loss of life?

[drsuz]

But I did get a kick out of the part " The president, notably, has not taken a position on the issue ? though he did today say members of Congress ?are still going to have some work to do? on the stem cell issue, which could be read as a subtle signal that he would not oppose getting rid of it. It could also mean, however, that the president simply wants his action today codified so it cannot be overturned in the future. "

Obama, you are going through piece by piece of every single paper (probably even the toilet paper) that went through the Bush Administration and making changes. What, what is good for the goose not good for the gander? One would think you would have better things to do. Like concentrate on the ECONOMY!!!!

[drsuz]

The problem I am having is that no one is understanding that these cells can only be "used" IF the person who owns them, donates them to the research facility. Instead of coming down on the researchers and the facilities, people who are against it should come down on the people who are donating them.

People are also missing the point stated in the article: In other words, even though federal funding can now go to the study of existing stem cell lines, government-funded scientists cannot create new lines, because they cannot create or destroy embryos.

[mariannpepit]

Diabetes cannot be cured even with stem cell research. However, if you stay on your diet and take your medicine I believe you can live a normal life. Sweets are out. I know a woman that had diabetes who baked her own pastry but without sugar. I don't know how long she lived but when I left that company she was at least 68. And the 14 year old girl's mother can take care of her in the same manner. I do not believe in killing babies for research. Every child has a right to live. Doesn't Obama have two daughters?

[debinok1]

As a christian, I understand that God gave me free will. I make choices based on my beliefs. But my choices end with me. I may be my brothers keeper, but that does not mean I can make his choices for him, or make him choose as I would. I follow the belief that I am supposed to take care of my neighbors, the poor, the children, the elderly and the sick. My bible tells me to live my life as an example to others. Nowhere does it say I have the right or the responsibility to judge others. It actually says the opposite. Remember, "Judge NOT lest ye be Judged."

[mariannpepit]

soldat44: You are so right and that came up at a debate with McCain. Life begins at conception but Obama disagreed. He is pro-choice not pro-life and is now going to fund abortion clinics. After all Wright didn't preach the gospel at his church which Obama attended for 20 years. Bush was pro-life and put a ban on both.

[soldat44]

I am so happy to hear that we finely have someone in office who is not afraid to make a difference. The Presidents choice to make this change in the stem cell research will give me and my 11 year old son hope that some day he may not have to live the rest of his life sticking himself with needles to stay alive while fighting the disease of diabetes.
Posted by amycatt34 at 4:02 PM : Mar 9, 2009

Oh, he will definitely make a 'difference' .

Be careful what you wish for...

[soldat44]

ok, so there are just a few problems that i have with this report. First of all, I am appauled that you would really be willing to take the opinion of one 14 year old girl who happens to have type 1 diabetes, and put her all over the news. She believes in stem cell research because she thinks that it will find a cure for her diabetes so she will be able to live a happier life. Well, here is some news, I am also a type 1 diabetic. I am 15 years old and I would gladly give my life to save alot of innocent babies. It is totaly unethical and wrong to kill off unborn babies just to try to hopefully have sucess in finding new cures for diseases like type 1 diabetes. It is definitly something that is very treatable, and yes, you can live to a very old age with diabetes, just as long as you take care of it. So my advice, tell this girl who did the interview, that it is not all about her, and that there are other people out there suffering with the same disease as her, but they are not willing to go and say that they want young, unborn babies to die so that they might one day find a cure for a livable disease. I have lived with it sense i was just barley 8, so if I can do it, and i dont complane, then she can to. It is ethically and moraly wrong, and i am sure that every single person out there knows that it is, deep down in their heart, so why is nobody willing to stand up against it? Please, listen to me, and if you think that i am just some dumb teenager who doesnt know anything, remember, i am also suffering from this same disease as this other 14 year old girl, but i was not able to have the chance to get my story plastered all over the news, and i was not able to voice my opinion like she did.

Thank You
Posted by lerg0611 at 3:56 PM : Mar 9, 2009

God Bless You

[soldat44]

I do not see where the religious or moral issues relate to stem cell research. It has great potential to increase the quality of life. It is far better than going to war to improve the quality of life.
Posted by jerryspoor at 3:08 PM : Mar 9, 2009

Oh my...

[soldat44]

"First off, let?s talk about what embryonic stem cell research entails. An embryo is ?a clump of cells that would fit barely on the head of a pin,? as Susan L. Solomon, CEO of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, says.

And you, Mrs. Solomon, are also a clump of cells. Constantly splitting and multiplying only at a different stage in development.

My Catholic faith tells me that there is a human soul at Conception. I defer to the religious to educate me when life begins and a soul is created---Not a doctor.

BTW - Did you know that DOCTORS state that there is a heartbeat at 8 days.
There has been NO SUCCESS with embryonic stem cells.

There have been many successes with Adult stem cells.

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

Amen.

[amycatt34]

I am so happy to hear that we finely have someone in office who is not afraid to make a difference. The Presidents choice to make this change in the stem cell research will give me and my 11 year old son hope that some day he may not have to live the rest of his life sticking himself with needles to stay alive while fighting the disease of diabetes.