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Stem Cell Research:  Mixing religion, science and politics equals controversy.

This week president Obama announced the release of 13 new embryonic stem cell lines to be used for research.  Scientists are hopeful that this research could someday treat or even cure diseases like Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and spinal cord injuries (just to name a few).  But this decision isn’t without controversy.

Although, I have a hard time understanding why there is such a big controversy.  If you consider the two-day old embryo to be life, then wouldn’t you want that life to have some sort of meaning?  When the alternative to research is the trash, isn’t there more dignity in research?

This is a one minute video that demonstrates what is currently happening to unused frozen embryos “LIFE” from fertility clinics. These are the same embryos, that could be used to advance scientific research and to save lives…

I wrote about my feelings on stem cell research back in 2007, and my feelings are still the same.  I believe the unused embryos that would otherwise be discarded from fertility clinics, should be treated with the same respect we give organ donation.

When parents tragically lose their child do to some type of accident, but the child’s organs are still viable for transplant, parents are asked if they would like to donate the child’s organs. They are not told they have to, they are given a choice. We would never dream of making a law that tells these parents they have to donate or that they are not allowed to donate, and that is because it should always be up to them. I believe the same respect should be given to the parents of these unused embryos. Let the people involved in the in-vitro fertilization process decide whether to donate these embryos to other infertile couples, or to donate them to scientific research, or have them discarded. This is a decision that should be made by the parents, not the government, not the church, and not by you or me.

I would suggest that if you are against stem cell research, then you should absolutely not be forced to donate any of your stem cells, or use any treatment involving stem cells. This is your choice, and no one should take this choice away from you. And, in ten or twenty years, if you or a family member could be saved with a treatment that began as stem cell research, no one will stop you from benefiting from these advancements, it will be your choice then too. So I would ask that you please consider being personally against stem cell research without forcing your belief onto others.

What do you think about stem cell research.  Do you think president Obama is doing the right thing?  If you are against stem cell research, does that mean you would refuse treatment to save your life (or a family member) in the future, if that treatment had been developed through this type of research?

Here is some of what other women are saying about the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research.

From Jennifer Miller at Ethics Illustrated – US set to fund more embryonic stem cell study…

Bush severely restricted federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research because of moral objections to the destruction of human embryos to obtain the cells. Federally funded scientists were limited to studying 21 existing cell lines that many criticized as flawed and inadequate; had to erect cumbersome bureaucratic procedures to separate government-funded research from privately funded work; and were sometimes prevented from sharing ideas.

Now, although embryonic stem cell lines will still have to be created using private funding, federal funding will be permitted for experiments using a much larger array of lines, once those lines have been scrutinized to make sure they were created from embryos obtained ethically. That will vastly expand the number of scientists and types of experiments using taxpayer dollars.

From Women’s Voices For Change – A New Outlook on Stem Cell Research…

This is an exciting time in science and medicine. As science becomes more sophisticated, many times ethical and safety issues also become increasingly more complex. We are a sophisticated country with strong moral values, and we also have a commitment to use our discoveries to advance health and medicine in a responsible manner. These two aspects of our culture need not be mutually exclusive.

From U.S. Catholic…

“In accordance with the guidelines, these stem-cell lines were derived from embryos that were donated under ethically sound informed consent processes,” said Collins. “More lines are under review now, and we anticipate continuing to expand this list of responsibly derived lines eligible for NIH funding.”

When the final guidelines were published July 7, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, then chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said they ignored the comments of tens of thousands of Americans who expressed opposition to embryonic stem-cell research during the public comment period and failed to respect “existing federal law against funding research in which human embryos are harmed or destroyed.”

From Cooperating with Grace – Embryonic Stem Cell Research Moves Forward…

Ugh. The killing of unborn children in unsuccessful attempts to help other humans is moving forward, thanks to the new policies of the Obama administration and despite widespread medical doubt that embryonic research can result in cures and in fact, may do more harm than good. The reason that the chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology says “the field desperately needs a big clinical success” is because THERE HAVEN’T BEEN ANY CURES VIA EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS. And this guy wants to keep making the big bucks, even if it means killing unborn children. And we know that other –and better– options are out there.

From Dana Tuszke – Michael J. Fox and Embryonic Stem Cell Research…

Yes, Michael J. Fox is a victim of Parkinson’s disease. Yes, I am sorry he suffers from this condition. I can’t say that I understand what he goes through every day. What I do know is that suffering from an illness with no known cure is devastating. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s and my family watched him deteriorate every single day of his last years of life. But never did we hope and pray for a cure that was discovered through the destruction of human lives.

Pro-Life Movement Regrouping After Stem Cell Defeat…

“Let’s just say we’re discussing things,” she said.

She also would not speculate on how her group will tackle future regents elections. Only one regent, Kent Schroeder of Kearney, is up for re-election next year; he voted to allow the research to expand.

“The prudent course is that we come together as a pro-life lobby coalition and discuss what recourse we have, if any, due to Friday’s events,” Schmit-Albin said.

Also See:

• What You Might Not Know About Stem Cell Research
• After the Embryonic Stem Cell Storm:  One Patient’s Improvement List
• Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Sound Science and Moral Values
• Stem Cell 101 and Stem Cells in Science Fiction
• US Approves 13 Embryonic Stem Cell Lines For Research
• From Healthcare Hacks – Stem Cell Links and Resources

Tell us what you think about embryonic stem cell research and the controversy surrounding it in comments.