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| Yes | 37% | 121 votes | Total: 329 votes | |
| No | 63% | 208 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesDestroy is a strong term, however, political setbacks certainly will be detrimental to stem cell research. Political motions are the most powerful social motions and thus any political difficulties would hinder a process.
All people should realize that politics play a major role in any decision that affects the masses. Without politics it is true that there would be no conflict, however, without conflict there would be no resolution. If people never resolved anything then society at large would never reach anywhere.
The same political opponents of stem cell research need to stop and consider the possible situation if anything were to happen to one of their loved ones. If a cure derived from stem cell technology was the only thing that could save them, the reality is that they would unhesitatingly consent to its use. The proposition of such a situation should not be restricted to personal boundaries, as that would be selfish. Time and care should be taken to revise the potential benefit that can be garnered from stem cell research for everyone in society. All medicine has its niche and it value among lives.
On the other side of the proverbial fence, proponents need to be understanding of other points of view. Other people have ethical issues about the research being conducted. People learn throughout their lives, or sometimes only while young,the civic tendencies and philosophies that govern the way they live. Action contrary to this learned behavior is difficult to consider. It is a daunting thought as well, to tamper with that which is new or unfamiliar and therefore the subject would be approached with apprehension.
Finally , all members of the debate have to realize that in any given situation or opportunity, there will always be those who support and who oppose it. It is a reality of life. Individuals are unique and, as such, have their own perspectives and influential power with regards to decision making. All people's ideas and contributions should be respected if any progressive decision making can be accomplished.
But next time someone believes that stem cell research should not be performed, they should take the time to remember that it is classified as medical research because it provides medical advancement, which is ,simply put, more potential life that can be saved.
Learn more about this author, Randall Flagg.
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No
The placenta from every birth contains vast quantities cells with characteristics very similar to fetus stem cells and they can be used for medical research without any reasonable objections from anyone. The future of medical research will continue to proceed forward regardless of any political decisions about use of aborted fetus stem cells.
Biotechnologists have many directions yet to explore, including more experimentation with animal and plant cells, as well as use of alternative environments. I believe that groundbreaking research remains possible in weightlessness and under higher than ordinary air pressures, as well as under different humidities and atmospheres dense in various gases and other elements. The future of medical research will continue to have many new developments as long as there are innovative and creative scientists who use their imaginations and apply lessons from one area to another.
Although I have no proof, other than a hunch, I believe that there are other types of cells, besides fetus stem-cells that may have the capability to adjust and repair more readily than others. I would not be surprised if there are certain types of skin cells that may behave differently than others under certain circumstances and be useful. Or perhaps, there are special cells within certain human and animal organs which have desirable characteristics for experimentation.
There are far too many avenues for medical exploration to make absolutist statements about destroying medical research efforts. Of course, when use of such a promising resource, as stem cells, is limited or prohibited, it is natural to have concern for its effect on the pace of breakthroughs. However, it is far too premature to think there are no other valuable resources that have yet to be identified.
With the allegations that any vital organs are available for a price in China or elsewhere, it is only natural that there be some limits on access to such organs, whether livers, hearts or stem-cells. It is too easy to see how the profit motive could distort unethical persons' morals. It is too easy to imagine prisoners being disposed of quietly in order to have their organs harvested for sale. The same could have happened with human babies and fetuses.
With the great excitement over use of stem cells, it is not hard to imagine some sad women making a new profession of serial pregnancies. They could justify it to themselves by believing that it is a small sacrifice for the sake of medical research, while they make money off their abortions. Certainly, some form of control was needed to avoid Frankenstein-type stories from becoming true.
All that said, there are many countries on earth and I would not be surprised to learn that if stem cell research becomes practically infeasible in the US and Europe, it will likely be possible somewhere else. What we should be concerned about is that there are appropriate international standards and regulations, such that we avoid the ugly idea of a cottage industry of fetus stem cells from serial pregnancies.
Such abominations would lead to reprehensible practices, so let the current slow down on stem cells be taken as a respite from the frenzied medical progress with all of its questionable short-cuts for a regrouping of biotechnologists and finding new ways forward. There will be plenty more dramatic medical research developments in the future. We need not compromise our morals for medical advancements, we need only to take new approaches.
Learn more about this author, Robert C. Sage.
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