Stem cells are not human life
Friday, 3 June 2005 | 105 readers so far
When I was culturing cells in the lab there’d be an occasion where I was finished with the culture and we destroyed it. We’d take the cells, we’d do the experiment and then we’d throw them away in an efficacious manner. We’d sterilize them so they were dead, but is that destroying life? Those cells are living cells, so that’s life in a sense. Bacteria are living, and viruses are living by the definition, they can self-replicate. So, what kind of life are we talking about here?
Most of the lay public has really no concept of what is done in the laboratory today. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there are people that are very familiar with cells and the embryology behind the development of the fetus and those are the people that really, I think, understand what we’re doing in the laboratory when we’re manipulating cells. So Bush says that we’re destroying life, well what kind of life are we talking about here?”
–Dr. John Leavitt
I believe that it is wrong to kill a human being except in cases of self-defense.
Having said that, I have zero problems with stem cell research, and feel that President Bush is out of line for using the power of government to stop it from happening in this country. On the other hand, using the power of government to steal money from people and use it to fund stem cell research is also wrong.
If, like most people, you are ignorant of what stem cell research really entails, please read this interview from the very thoughtful Theron Parlin over at Thought Mechanics. It may shed some light on the debate and help you decide where you stand.
I’ve concluded that stem cells are much like warts, except more useful. Yes, they’re life. They don’t think or feel so they aren’t human life. Try and convince me otherwise. For now, I’m a wholehearted proponent of private stem cell research.
1 June 4th, 2005 at 9:41 am
Eric says:
I agree with the part of your post that states that “it is wrong to kill a human being except in cases of self-defense” - I would personally add, “and in cases where the state is carrying out captial punishment”, but that’s neither here nor there…
I would disagree with you in that “President Bush is out of line for using the power of government to stop it happening in this country.
President Bush is doing no such thing. In fact embryonic stem cell research is a continuing enterprise in California and other states. What President Bush has done is issue an executive order that “no federal monies may be used to fund research on new lines of embryonic stem cells.”
This is a far cry from what you characterize his position as.
Other than that - GREAT post!!
2 June 5th, 2005 at 4:47 am
Mustang says:
I attempted to donate some of my stem cells. Under the microscope, the lab tech saw them sitting around drinking beer, smoking cigars, and telling sea stories, so they told me, “No thanks.” Ungrateful @%%#%!!
3 June 7th, 2005 at 2:21 am
Trevor says:
I would disagree with you in that “President Bush is out of line for using the power of government to stop it happening in this country.
President Bush is doing no such thing. In fact embryonic stem cell research is a continuing enterprise in California and other states.
Eric,
Thanks. I stand corrected. Bush has every right to voice his personal opinions on stem cell research, but he has zero right to use government as a vehicle to enforce his views, either for or against this sort of research.
Trying to stop scientific research that uses stem cells is about as effective as trying to stop a tsunami by pretending it doesn’t exist.
4 June 7th, 2005 at 6:42 pm
cl says:
I think it’s time for some government funding.
Stem Cell Research