Wonder how many people who still have religious or philosophical problems with stem cell research will be pulled over to the other side by this?
Scientists at Advanced Cell Technology Inc., the Worcester stem cell company that is running out of cash, reported yesterday that they have created large numbers of red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells.
[. . .]
Embryonic stem cells have been the subject of widespread scientific interest and social controversy. But the research has proved difficult, even as it continues to offer the tantalizing possibility of growing replacement tissues for patients.
Other scientists had shown that red blood cells could be created from embryonic stem cells. The signal accomplishment of ACT, working with researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Mayo Clinic, was proving that billions of cells could be produced.
The closer scientists get to repairing the ordinary ills of living and aging through stem cell research, the fewer objections there will be. Just as the abortion debate tends to change for people who are suddenly faced with real-life experience, so will the stem-cell debate when people no longer believe the science is just aimed at curing exotic diseases few people get. WIMBY (when it's my back yard) is the opposite of NIMBY.
Comments
Maybe President Bush will change his mind about stem cells when he finally realizes he needs to grow a new brain.
Or Bush could adopt McCain's policy.
McCain said human rights are endowed at conception when he was talking at the Faith Forum, yet he has voted repeatedly in favor of stem cell research.
George Bush is not alone in opposing embryonic stem cell research. If you believe that life begins at conception, then you have to oppose destruction of viable embryos. No such stem cell research permitted under Bush's administration (indeed he is the first President to sponsor government support programs) has ever resulted in medical breakthroughs or cures of any kind.
On the other hand, adult and post-natal stem cell research, financed by private sources, has seen breakthroughs for spinal cord injuries, Parkinsons, Diabetis and progress is being made in the areas of Sickle Cell Anemia and repair of cardiac muscle.
The lesson is clear: Politicians should leave medical research to qualified professionals.
George Bush is not alone in opposing embryonic stem cell research. If you believe that life begins at conception, then you have to oppose destruction of viable embryos.
Unless you're McCain, it seems. He claims to believe that human rights begin at conception, yet votes for stem cell research.
The lesson is clear: Politicians should leave medical research to qualified professionals.
In other words, the question is "above their pay grade", as some might phrase it....