What do you think about Stem Cell Research? – by Catherine MorganIt seems to me that the idea of whether or not life begins at the pre-embryo or “zygote” shouldn’t be the main issue. Let’s just say for arguments sake, that it does. If we are saying that the “zygote” is just as much of a life as any other life, and that by using it for scientific research it is essentially “killing” that potential life, then that should be the main issue. For that reason, the public should be up-in-arms over the destruction of these “zygotes”. Why is it o.k. to just dispose of this potential life? Shouldn’t that be the main issue?
picture by © mohan12331
The stem cells that are taken from these “zygotes” are what is needed for the research that could very well save millions of lives in the future. So, if the choice is between destroying stem cells or using them to help save a life….It seems a “no-brain-er” to me that possibly saving someones life would be a more virtuous use of these cells then just tossing them out in the trash. It seems that it’s the “right to life” people that are most against stem cell research, but why then do they seem to think there is no problem with throwing out the “life” in a dumpster. That’s confusing to me.
I guess as a nurse I look at this situation a bit differently. When a family is faced with the loss of a child due to an accident of some sort, they are given the opportunity to “donate” any viable organs, tissue, or cells. Another words; it’s their choice, the family decides. Wouldn’t it be unconscionable if the government started stepping in and deciding what these families should do? Stem cell research is really the same thing in many ways. The families that used in-vitro fertilization to have their children should be the ones to decide what is done with any “left-over” stem cells. These cells are part of them and belong to them, not the government, not the scientists, not anyone else. Therefor, any decision on what should be done with these cells, should be made by the people that those cell actually belong to. The best way to do this would be much like when we state on our drivers licence that we are “organ donors”; the families that have used in-vitro fertilization should state on legal documents what they would like done with any “left over” embryos. As long as we allow in-vitro fertilization, the government and the public needs to step aside and let the families decide what they will do when these situations arise. We don’t tell them what to do when a child is conceived from this process, these children don’t belong to the government then, so why should they belong to the government before conception?
This is just how I feel. I know it is a controversial subject. I just wanted to point out that there was a time, not too long ago, when the government and the public questioned whether organ donation itself should be allowed….and now, look how many lives it saves.
Questioning and debate are always a good thing, just as long as we don’t become paralized with the inability to see certain subjects in more than one light. In this case, wouldn’t the most logical outcome be that the family decide if they want to donate these cells to science, or donate them to another couple, or have them discarded? It seems this could solve a lot of the controversy. And, not to point out the obvious; but this is really one of those “wedge” issues that the politicians use to manipulate the way we vote and divert our attention away from other important issues that the government really should be focusing on. I can think of a lot of other ways the government could contribute to saving human life, especially if they focus on the lives that are actually living.
I would love to know what others think on this “hot button” issue. But, if you comment, please do it in a way that is respectful and without harsh and angry words. Like I said before; I think the debate is important….but when you use words to just “shut-up” the other side….no side benefits.
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Let us know what you think on some of the other issues in politics today…..just go the the WHAT DO YOU THINK? link.
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