Thursday, September 09, 2004
STEM CELL RESEARCH
I usually try to refrain form making political statements. But here goes.
Stem cells became a hot button topic of this year's election after the passing of President Reagan. His son, Ron Reagan spoke at the DNC in support of Kerry, who supports funding for stem cell research to find a cure for Alzheimer's and other diseases.
If this is a topic of concern for you or if you're interested, here's my two cents:
John Kerry has referred to President Bush supporting the "ban" on stem cells. But this is fact: Stem cell research is legal in the US. The issue is whether to ban funding, not stem cells themselves. During the Clinton years, this ban on funding was there. It was Bush who first permitted federal funding for stem cell research.
In fact, Bush's stance on it is pretty "middle of the road" -- funding research using existing stem-cell lines, but not for those created specifically for stem-cell lines because that would lead to the destruction of human embryos. Most conservatives, including me, think funding should only go to research using cells drawn from already discarded embroys (they're already set for destruction anyway).
And even though Ron Reagan spoke on behalf of the Democrats, it's not so clear cut that one side is "good" and the other "evil," as he pointed out. We are nowhere close to finding cures to Parkinson's and spinal-cord injuries using stem cell research. Plus, stem cells might not even be the correct way to go in finding a cure.
Therefore, the Republicans are NOT standing in the way of a cure of Alzheimer's. Shame on the Democrats using Ron Reagan to make the stem cell fuding issue political.
I usually try to refrain form making political statements. But here goes.
Stem cells became a hot button topic of this year's election after the passing of President Reagan. His son, Ron Reagan spoke at the DNC in support of Kerry, who supports funding for stem cell research to find a cure for Alzheimer's and other diseases.
If this is a topic of concern for you or if you're interested, here's my two cents:
John Kerry has referred to President Bush supporting the "ban" on stem cells. But this is fact: Stem cell research is legal in the US. The issue is whether to ban funding, not stem cells themselves. During the Clinton years, this ban on funding was there. It was Bush who first permitted federal funding for stem cell research.
In fact, Bush's stance on it is pretty "middle of the road" -- funding research using existing stem-cell lines, but not for those created specifically for stem-cell lines because that would lead to the destruction of human embryos. Most conservatives, including me, think funding should only go to research using cells drawn from already discarded embroys (they're already set for destruction anyway).
And even though Ron Reagan spoke on behalf of the Democrats, it's not so clear cut that one side is "good" and the other "evil," as he pointed out. We are nowhere close to finding cures to Parkinson's and spinal-cord injuries using stem cell research. Plus, stem cells might not even be the correct way to go in finding a cure.
Therefore, the Republicans are NOT standing in the way of a cure of Alzheimer's. Shame on the Democrats using Ron Reagan to make the stem cell fuding issue political.
Comments:
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Though I'm undeclared, I find this helpful. It's easy to get these things confused. I hate it when facts are misconstrued (especially on purpose).
You are missing some thoughts.
First, most medical/pharm breakthroughs come through federal funding (many at the university level). To cut off federal funding means effectively ending the research.
You also forgot to mention that Bsuh banned new lines of stem cells. Existing useful lines of stem cells are down to about 10.
Lastly, you also did not mention that Nacy Reagon and 50 senators from both parties asked the ban to be lifted as well.
Shame on democrats? No. Shame on you for thinking this is a political issue.
First, most medical/pharm breakthroughs come through federal funding (many at the university level). To cut off federal funding means effectively ending the research.
You also forgot to mention that Bsuh banned new lines of stem cells. Existing useful lines of stem cells are down to about 10.
Lastly, you also did not mention that Nacy Reagon and 50 senators from both parties asked the ban to be lifted as well.
Shame on democrats? No. Shame on you for thinking this is a political issue.
# posted by 
: 1:05 PM
: 1:05 PM
Sorry, but Ron Reagan made it a political issue when he spoke during the Democratic National Convention. And for your information Bsuh=Bush and Nacy=Nancy (it's called proofreading)
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