Keep moratorium on 'embryonic' stem cell research
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research are using the death of President Reagan to revisit the Bush policy of August 2001 that stopped federal funding for further embryonic stem cell research. These proponents claim restrictions on research are wrong when that research could potentially find cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other debilitating diseases.Yet, these supporters ignore one central moral issue – using embryonic stem cells in research is the taking of a human life since embryos must be killed to harvest those cells. Their claim is that the greater good is served – that finding a cure for any of these diseases is worth the loss of a few fetal cells that are merely potential humans.
However, research using adult stem cells (which doesn’t require the taking of life) has proven very favorable in curing diseases or reducing their effects. Adult stem cells are readily available from sources like umbilical cords. At the same time the limited research that has gone on using embryonic stem cells has yet to deliver on its promise.
Destroying unborn children for research reduces human life to a commodity. Yet, there is momentum growing in Congress to lift the moratorium on federal funding for this type of research. Adult stem cells are a viable and proven alternative. Let Congress know that embryonic stem cell research is the misuse of human life.
1 Comments:
Well put, David. There is a hot thread over at World magazine's blog dedicated to this topic. John Kerry announced to the world that he wants to support human embryo stem cell research. He was rewarded with a warm endorsement for his presidential campaign from some nobel prize winning scientists. Kerry said he wants to promote policies based on "scientific fact", not "fear".
We need to set the record straight on what the scientific fact is: a human embryo is a member of the human race at an early stage of development. As such, it is the most vulnerable and least protected member of our race. We need to speak up and defend the defenseless. This is called justice, not fear.
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