Stem Cell Research
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: News
Topic: Social Issues
Several times during a rally with Michael J. Fox, John Kerry referred to President Bush ignoring "science in favor of ideology." I wonder if Josef Mengele would have made the same kind of argument.

I've heard many arguments pro and con but I'm not well-versed in all the minute details. I've heard adult stem cells have just as much, if not more, promise. I've also heard that many of the embryonic stem cells waiting to be used are ones that have been discarded after in vitro fertilisation and are frozen.

Michael Kinsley wrote in an May 31, 2004 TIME Magazine Op/Ed (paid archive, I'm a subscriber :^) ),

"Fertility clinics destroy far more human embryos than stem-cell research ever would, yet they are not controversial. Death or deep freeze is the fate of any embryo spared by the Bush policy from the indignity of contributing to medical progress.

"...It's not complicated. An embryo used in stem-cell research (and fertility treatments) is three to five days past conception. It consists of a few dozen cells that together are too small to be seen without a microscope. It has no consciousness, no self-awareness, no ability to feel love or pain. The smallest insect is far more human in every respect except potential."

To some, however, fertility clinics and even birth control are controversial because they view conception as the time when sperm and egg join together. As Kinsley says, "...If the microscopic dot is a human being with full human rights, the answer is easy: no stem-cell research."

He continues on, however, and labels them fanatics:

"But you don't have to be an abortion-rights advocate to reach the opposite conclusion. In fact, for abortion opponents whose views fall anywhere short of fanatical absolutism, the answer ought to be easy as well: full speed ahead (italics mine)."

The question for pro-life people to determine for themselves is "When does conception take place?" Then we have to determine how we turn that ideology into practical politics.