 |
 |
The heart of the Pro SCNT argument is that the egg is never implanted in a womb but rather cultured outside of the womb and is not intended for cloning human life. This is a simple and quick answer. The heart of the Anti SCNT argument is that the egg is the first step in full grown human life and from the first step it represents human life. We all know that an "Untampered" egg and a "Untampered" sperm are not life but the potential. A baby being born is the final step in creating viable life outside the womb. At some point life in the womb is not viable outside but many still consider it humane life. The exact point at which the egg, once it starts to grow, becomes human life is what people are questioning. Those that are not sure have legitimate human dilemmas regarding this research. If the egg starts to reproduce through some tampering and is cultivated (encouraged to grow) in a dish vs. a womb it does not make it less human in many peoples eyes. This is the heart of the dilemma. If you could imagine for a moment that the same tampered egg were transplanted into an artificial womb there would remain the potential the egg could grow into a human clone of the donor of the nucleic material. Those in favor of this valuable research would like to paint it very simply as a "no brainer." They also like to paint hose opposed as sending us back to the Middle Ages. It is a very simplistic view of the world. There is no way thoughtful process and intellectual debate regarding very complex moral issues takes us backward. Quite the contrary it helps us move to a higher plateau. The question was posed "whose life do I take with... an unfertilized egg and my own DNA?" Part one answer... unfertilized eggs do not reproduce. Part two answer... perhaps you take the life of your identical twin. I for one am a thinker and find quick simple answers to complex problems a bit to convenient and self serving. I don't know the answer but for the time I would rather error on the side of believing I am not creating a human life to be sacrificed to make mine more comfortable. There are answers out there. Those that have the sense to recognize that complex problems usually require much thought and are willing to devote themselves to finding the answers are the people I most admire. Regards to all and respect for all Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rayilyn Brown" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 4:27 PM Subject: Bush policy's chilling effect on research > This is from one of Murray's posts: - don't blame him, please > > "Dr. Melton's passion is kindled, in part, by his two children with diabetes, > where stem-cell research holds enormous promise. The Bush policy, he adds, is > having a "chilling effect on the field." > > I don't personally think I will live long enough to benefit from a cure that > would certainly in the long un be a lot cheaper than our present health care > system. This seems like such a no-brainer and rush back to the Middle Ages. > Again, whose life do I take with SCNT- an unfertilized egg and my own DNA? > > Also, why do so many anti-SCNTers not oppose fertility clinics? I had an > email argument once with an anti-abortionist who thought every in vitro embryo > became a person. He did know that fetal cell research had been involved in > the development of vaccines for childhood diseases, so he didn't have his kids > vaccinated. > > As a teacher I was very respectful of my student's views; Unfortunately, I > have a lot less patience with adults., I feel like they should be able to take > the heat. Also our debates in my classes were not re personal life and death > issues. > > Ray > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn