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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: KLP who wrote (76015)	10/9/2004 12:36:47 PM
From: SBHX	Respond to of 793842

Stem cell research is one of those ethical dilemna problems that will have to be figured out soon. One extreme end is absolute ban, the other extreme is wide open human cloning, using growing human embryos and parts in test tubes for harvesting and scientific research. The discussion is not on the placenta or adult lines of stem cells, but on the human embryos. Bush draws his boundary at the lines where the human embryos were already 'not-viable' or "killed" in prolife parlance. Kerry says these cells are already 'contaminated' --- meaning perhaps he supports drawing the line somewhere else. Now clearly either extremes are not acceptable. As to what is the correct ethical boundary, who can really say? But the fact is that the stem cells can be extracted from surplus human embryos meant for say, in-vitro fertilization for parents who could not conceive otherwise? If it can be determined that these days old embryos were to be destroyed if not used, where is the harm in extracting the stem cells? I think what would be troubling is for deliberate creation of human foetus for the express purpose of experimentation that causes problems for most people --- that would be monstrous. But on the other hand, what about the intent to fertilize eggs for the express purpose of extracting stem cells? Where does the new boundary end? One day old, 7 days old? 90 days old (if machines can be built to grow these embryos further)? Wiser people have to figure that one out. Ethics is hard, and even when the results of the research is not certain, when it is people dear to you that needs the cure, it becomes a very painful decision. That's why it is an ethical dilemna.