Bravo Mr. Bayne, for the reasoned and reasonable examination of the
values and consequences of fetal ("embryonic" is more accurate)research.
This will make it more likely that such research will be designed and
carried out with less fear and rancour but keep the biological research
community aware that it has responsibilities to the public.
Regards, Steven Mayer
"The panel members considered and rejected the view that a human
>embryo has rights that completely prohibit its use in research. To those
>who argue that an embryo is a human being from the moment of conception,
>the panel responded that no single trait or property is present at
>conception that suffices to confer personhood, and thus rights, on the
>embryo.
> This view is persuasive. All human life begins at conception, but
>many embryos do not implant, and even among those that do, many
>spontaneously abort. Whatever shifts occur in the moral equation at
>conception, it is not self-evident that that biologic event is of such
>moral importance that it should cause all human embryos to be placed
>outside the realm of research."
>
>Although the panel specifically addressed embryo research, not fetal
>tissue research, those of us with PD should be grateful that scientists
>are willing to objectively and dispassionately set aside the politics and
>religious dogma of abortion in an effort to accelerate in vitro and in
>vivo therapeutic research. Martin Bayne [log in to unmask]
>
>
