Stem Cell Research Thread

Near the beginning of Bush's presidential campaign all government spending was cut from any research concerning Stem Cells, despite the incredible benefits it could offer. A long time has passed since then and many important political movements have been made. California continues to support Stem Cell research despite government ban, many Stem Cell research operations have been progressing without government spending, and new methods have been discovered to continue research without touching controversial nerves. What do you think of Stem Cell research? And what do you think its future will include? I want your opinions, thoughts and ideas on the matter.

Remember, as always, keep it constructive, keep it logical, and keep it civil. =)

Edited by: Bluedrake42

Stem Cell Therapy can be an incredible reconstructive tool and is one of two massive fields of modern medical research that has implications as extensive as the discovery of immunization and antibiotics. The other field would be Germ Line Therapy, which could eliminate a host of genetic diseases at the genetic level.

Stem Cell research government funding is necessary to show potential private interests that the government is in the interest of scientific advancement. Groups pressure a great deal to get zoning restrictions, stem cell harvesting restrictions, etc., and the environment in general is tumultuous towards Stem Cell research that it simply is not worth their effort. Tomorrow such research could be limited or banned entirely. Instead, nations such as Germany are willing to pay to bring them there. No matter what America does, Stem Cell research will forge on elsewhere, but we won't reap the immediate benefits of technology creation, science proliferation, and in general new medical markets.

This, I feel, is a continued, fabricated problem from dogmas regarding bioethics which the religious, of which the opponents of Stem Cell research are almost universally so due to religious beliefs, will once more skulk away from when the full advantages are manifested for all to see. This occurred with small pox vaccinations, autopsy, and organ donation, and this continues to occur with regard to sexual education and abortion. Information is apparent and available on any of those.

Ignorance, however, never ceases to amaze me as people develop massive boogey-men out of scientific research and disseminate this ignorance with authority. To this date, I can find no one who objects who has a clear understanding of the reproduction cycle or cloning, which are the two biggest objections. If anyone does harbor such an objection, please, tell me what qualities the blastocyst possesses over the separate gametes. (or if you have fears of cloning, please attempt to rationalize them, though I am frankly doubtful anyone does or that they could in such a case)

I despise that the erosion of scientific understanding, research, and application in this country is not amongst the most prevalent issue facing us currently. America's place in this world will not be determined by anything in manufacturing nor skilled labor, but on cultivating thought.

The government should put a lot more money towards stem cells and a hell of a lot less towards the military at this time because we don"t need war,we need the cure for cancer so people will shut up with the"I have cancer.it's bad,please find a cure,i'm dying".I do feel sorry for them,they just get annoying,thats all.