>
> Stem cell battle intensifies
> Emotions rise as Bush nears decision on federal funding for research
SNIP
> In the other, John Borden stood before a House committee
> holding infant twins, children that were once frozen embryos,
> later thawed and implanted in his wife's womb. He deplored the
> idea of using federal funds to extract stem cells from human
> embryos, thereby destroying them.
>
> "Which one of my children would you kill?" he grimly asked
> lawmakers.
this is grandstanding in ignorance
Utilizing preimplantaton genetic diagnosis (PGD) techniques
his children would have been born AND could have donated stem cells
AND been analysed for genetic defects if necessary.
> Many scientists say the study of embryonic stem cells could lead
> to breakthroughs in the treatment of Parkinson's, diabetes,
> Alzheimer's and other grave conditions. But critics say the research
> is unethical, because it involves the destruction of human embryos,
> typically ones unneeded by fertility clinics.
Tell them that non-dstructive techniques exist.
"Destruction" of embryos is an exaggeration to melodramatize and mislead.
unneeded embryos from IVF clinics is a seperate issue
>
> Bush said in his campaign that he opposed federal funding
> for such research. But his aides say he is now wrestling with the
> science and ethics of the issue. Health and Human Services
> Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, Wisconsin's former governor,
> has proposed a compromise under which the federal government
> would pay for experiments using cells that already have been
> obtained from embryos but not for any research that requires the
> destruction of additional embryos.
PGD TECHNIQUES are non-destructive
Who the heck is advising the President?
> Some lawmakers appear conflicted about the question. Republican
> Dan Burton of Indiana, an abortion opponent, said Tuesday he
> still hoped "we can find an acceptable middle ground."
PGD TECHNIQUES
>
> But many on both sides of the issue believe that's impossible.
uninformed and deluded
>
> 'Our lives in their hands'
> "There is no room for compromise on stem cell research,"
> House Republican Connie Morella of Maryland said Tuesday
> at a news conference outside the Capitol organized by supporters
> of federal funding. The event was meant to put a "human face"
> on the case for more research, and featured several adults
> and children suffering from juvenile diabetes, Rett syndrome and
> other illnesses.
>
> Joan Samuelson, who founded the Parkinson's Action Network
> and suffers from the disease, described how the affliction will
> methodically shut her body down.
>
> "And then I'll be unable to speak, and then I'll be unable to swallow
> and then I'll die," she said at the news conference.
>
> "President Bush and Congress hold our lives in their hands.
> Embryos are being discarded that could be saving me and millions
> of others with Parkinson's," she said.
>
> Senate Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania declared that
> when Bush "understands" the scientific and public policy
> implications and "where the votes are, we're going to win this
> thing."
>
> 'Another form of genocide'
the embryos do not need to die
> But opponents of federal funding also sought Tuesday
> to humanize their argument that "excess" frozen embryos produced
> for in vitro fertilization constitute human lives that should not be
> destroyed for experimental research.
>
> Two mothers of children born from adopted frozen embryos made
> appearances here Monday and Tuesday, speaking out against
> funding.
this should be a seperate issue from funding of research.
adopting embryos is a good thing
but, these same children could have provided stem cells
> At Tuesday's House hearing, Marlene Strege called the destruction
> of frozen embryos "another form of genocide." John Borden's wife,
> Lucinda, called it "slaughter."
exaggerated uninformed emotional statements
> Lawmakers who oppose funding argued that the government
> should fund research on adult stem cells instead, and that the
> promise of embryonic stem cell research had been exaggerated.
>
> Florida Republican Dave Weldon, a doctor, challenged the idea
> that embryonic stem cells are a more promising and less
> problematic subject for research than adult stem cells.
>
> "That is a preposterous assumption," he said.
not preposterous
> In one sign of the passions here on the issue, lawmakers
> on both sides of the debate made a point of personalizing
> their arguments, citing loved ones and constituents afflicted
> by diabetes, Alzheimer's or other serious diseases.
>
> "It's a matter of life and death that stem cell research go forward,"
> said New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney.
>
> "I want to see cures . . . all of us do," said New Jersey Republican
> Chris Smith.
>
> "The question is do we proceed ethically or unethically?"
with non-destructive tecniques available
the ethics questions should be put to rest on this issue.
>
> Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 18, 2001.
>
> SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online
> http://www.jsonline.com/alive/news/jul01/stem18071701.asp
>
> * * *
>
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--
Ray Strand
Prairie Sky Design
-----------------( on the Edge of the Prairie Abyss )---------------
when the sky is clear
the ground is visible
49/dx 47/40? onset
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