Comments on: A fresh look at the stem cell debate http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:17:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: polyscience.org » Regrowing hearts, lungs, but not brains http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/#comment-182 polyscience.org » Regrowing hearts, lungs, but not brains Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:01:57 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=47#comment-182 [...] What I would like to know is whether stem cell research is involved. If not, this would leapfrog a huge ethical barrier, at least here in the United States. Sadly, though, I suspect that there is, simply because of the phrase “fetal liver cells.” Unfortunately, this regeneration method doesn’t offer any hope for those who choose (or chose) to indulge in reckless recreational habits of questionable legality in the past or present. [...] [...] What I would like to know is whether stem cell research is involved. If not, this would leapfrog a huge ethical barrier, at least here in the United States. Sadly, though, I suspect that there is, simply because of the phrase “fetal liver cells.” Unfortunately, this regeneration method doesn’t offer any hope for those who choose (or chose) to indulge in reckless recreational habits of questionable legality in the past or present. [...]

]]> By: Rian http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/#comment-62 Rian Sat, 13 Aug 2005 17:05:54 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=47#comment-62 You have to realize that I was writing that slanted against the typical fundamentalist position. Catholicism is quite a bit different than typical fundamentalism, especially when it comes to science and medicine. (It tends to be more progressive.) So while you might have read this as an attack on all Christians, it wasn't meant to be that way. Indeed, I only wanted to point out the absurdities that many typical protestant fundamentalists hold near and dear to their hearts. Lastly, while you think what I wrote may "belie" my statement about not enjoying or wanting to write about politics, I think you should re-read what I wrote: there's more in the way of statements about religion and morality than politics. And when I do mention "the right," you have to keep in mind the last paragraph. Particularly this: <blockquote>Science cannot and does not exist in a political and/or religious vacuum.</blockquote> Keeping science and ethics (which in turn stem from one's morality which often stems from one's religious upbringing; both of which are connected to one's political leanings) separate is impossible. You have to realize that I was writing that slanted against the typical fundamentalist position. Catholicism is quite a bit different than typical fundamentalism, especially when it comes to science and medicine. (It tends to be more progressive.) So while you might have read this as an attack on all Christians, it wasn’t meant to be that way. Indeed, I only wanted to point out the absurdities that many typical protestant fundamentalists hold near and dear to their hearts.

Lastly, while you think what I wrote may “belie” my statement about not enjoying or wanting to write about politics, I think you should re-read what I wrote: there’s more in the way of statements about religion and morality than politics. And when I do mention “the right,” you have to keep in mind the last paragraph. Particularly this:

Science cannot and does not exist in a political and/or religious vacuum.

Keeping science and ethics (which in turn stem from one’s morality which often stems from one’s religious upbringing; both of which are connected to one’s political leanings) separate is impossible.

]]> By: Dom Howells http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/#comment-53 Dom Howells Tue, 09 Aug 2005 12:09:07 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=47#comment-53 Most of the discussion in the article is slanted in a way that belies the author's claim that "I don’t enjoy reading, writing, or talking about politics". When he points out that to try to save embryos lost through menstruation would be "silly" he is quite correct, but to say that it "puts into perspective the absurdity some of the moral issues raised by right-to-lifers" is very unfair. Although there are pro-life atheists, a large contingent of the pro-life crowd are Christian. In catholocism at least it is not considered that there is an obligation to preserve or extend human life beyond what is humane or reasonable (i.e. it can be acceptable to stop treating terminally ill patients who are in pain, even though euthenasia is forbidden). I think something comparable is appliccable here. Pro-life people may not want unborn lives killed (this is a natural consequence of the belif in the existance of unborn human life), but do not have to have corresponding objections to the many embryos lost as part of the natural biological process. I do not see anything inconsistent or absurd about this moral position. Most of the discussion in the article is slanted in a way that belies the author’s claim that “I don’t enjoy reading, writing, or talking about politics”. When he points out that to try to save embryos lost through menstruation would be “silly” he is quite correct, but to say that it “puts into perspective the absurdity some of the moral issues raised by right-to-lifers” is very unfair.

Although there are pro-life atheists, a large contingent of the pro-life crowd are Christian. In catholocism at least it is not considered that there is an obligation to preserve or extend human life beyond what is humane or reasonable (i.e. it can be acceptable to stop treating terminally ill patients who are in pain, even though euthenasia is forbidden). I think something comparable is appliccable here. Pro-life people may not want unborn lives killed (this is a natural consequence of the belif in the existance of unborn human life), but do not have to have corresponding objections to the many embryos lost as part of the natural biological process. I do not see anything inconsistent or absurd about this moral position.

]]> By: eightyford.com » A fresh look at stem cells http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/#comment-52 eightyford.com » A fresh look at stem cells Tue, 09 Aug 2005 03:37:57 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=47#comment-52 [...] From polyscience.org: It may come as a surprise to many that most human embryos are lost by natural means. Between 60 and 80% of them, in fact. They are lost as a result of mentruation. These are not miscarriages; the woman doesn’t know that she’s been fertilized, and the embryos are washed away naturally in menstrual flows. It is estimated that 60% of embryos have been fertilized for 7 days or more, and this number jumps closer to 80% if you count eggs just barely fertilized. (It’s bunk that some women think they can feel the moment of conception.) [...] [...] From polyscience.org: It may come as a surprise to many that most human embryos are lost by natural means. Between 60 and 80% of them, in fact. They are lost as a result of mentruation. These are not miscarriages; the woman doesn’t know that she’s been fertilized, and the embryos are washed away naturally in menstrual flows. It is estimated that 60% of embryos have been fertilized for 7 days or more, and this number jumps closer to 80% if you count eggs just barely fertilized. (It’s bunk that some women think they can feel the moment of conception.) [...]

]]> By: Eighty http://polyscience.org/2005/08/fresh-look-stem-cell-debate/#comment-51 Eighty Tue, 09 Aug 2005 03:32:43 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=47#comment-51 That's a great article. I never new about the 60% figure, and I myself believe that life begins with brain activity. For the record, I'm an atheist who's strongly against abortion (especially late-term). I'll definately have to throw a link to this article on my site for others to read. Cheers That’s a great article. I never new about the 60% figure, and I myself believe that life begins with brain activity. For the record, I’m an atheist who’s strongly against abortion (especially late-term). I’ll definately have to throw a link to this article on my site for others to read.

Cheers

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