Stem Cell Slide Shows

NYT: "Scientists experimenting with mice have devised two new ways to derive embryonic stem cells without destroying viable embryos. The work is being hailed for its potential to sidestep some of the ethical controversies that have slowed stem cell research in this country. But each of the new techniques raises ethical issues of its own, and neither is apt to be ready for use in humans for many years."

"These and other approaches to deriving stem cells without destroying embryos clearly deserve further research, but they must not be allowed to halt or slow the most proven method of obtaining embryonic stem cells - extracting them from human embryos that are inevitably destroyed in the process." (Emphasis added-mine)

"Some critics consider it morally objectionable to genetically engineer a defective embryo that can't implant. But advocates of this approach believe it can be refined to produce disorganized clumps of tissue that will be deemed biological artifacts, not nascent life."

"It would be great if some way could be found to produce embryonic stem cells of high scientific value without raising ethical objections. But until that day comes, it would be foolish to abandon proven techniques just to meet the ethical objections of a minority." [NYT]

Yes, it would be wonderful to have a scientific method to produce high quality embryonic stem cells without raising the dander of religious conservatives. Currently, that is not possible, except by not trying, and by letting those of us that might benefit from these scientific advances suffer. I'm sorry, but I'm tired of taking insulin injections and checking my blood sugar level constantly. Embryonic stem cells show such a great promise to end the suffering of millions worldwide with Diabetes (like me!), Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, and many, many more. But religious conservatives, who currently control all three branches of government, won't let science help us out. Write to your elected officials and ask them to support HR 810.