Stem Cell research!

President Obama has made a big decision today, march 10th 2009 which could result in scientific breakthroughs in the near or not so near future. The decision to lift the ban on stem cell research has made the researchers of the University of Miami Stem Cell Institute very happy.
The study of stem cell research is definitely a controversial topic. Many people believe that stem cell research can result badly or is "in-humane" whilst others believe that stem cells can be beneficial to the human race.
I personally do not believe that stem cell research is in-humane. I can not seriously say that sacrificing something that is not even born for possible millions of men and woman's lives is in-humane. On the contrary, I believe it to be in-humane to not use something that could save millions of people a lot of pain and suffering.
On the other hand, if I think about it, it would be in-humane to deny any human of his/her right to feel the wonderful feelings of life.
I guess my stance on this issue is that i have no stance. I would like to know how others feel about this. I encourage everyone to reply to this post on your stance on Obama's decision. Tell me your stance and why you feel this way.
Thanks to anyone who read my post, I hope it was worth your time.
PS:This is my first post on lockergnome so i would appreciate and take consideration in any advice anyone can give me about my writing skills. I am always ready for improvement.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by travis on March 11, 2009 at 11:18am: I believe president Bush may have wanted to spend the taxpayers money on something useless the the Iraq war instead of something which would help the American people. Though, I guess I would have to be in Bush's position to understand his decision.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TheElderGeek on March 11, 2009 at 8:56am: The "ban" was only on OUR (tax) monies being spent for research. No life should be lost to research this in my opinion - the media was crooked in their reporting on this, just as they are crooked in most of their reporting these days. Besides, as soon as someone can make money on their embryos, can you see all the octimoms types looking to make their living by creating more embryos?

Companies spend their own money for research and individuals donate money. When there are breakthroughs, companies make their money back (which too many people begrudge, by the way). I strongly feel that no tax monies should be spent for private use, (for one example ---the Big 3 auto companies should have bankrupted and restructured. None of our money should have saved them.) Abuses have grown exponentially since the politicians have gotten their nasty hands in our funds.

Our tax money should ONLY be spent to keep our infrastructure sound, and our country's military updated and strong for our country's defense.

WE THE PEOPLE have been bulldozed into the dirt by the very people that have been elected TOO MANY TIMES, for too many years.

TheElderGeek

PS...if our money is used for research, and there are failed uses for the results, then WHO GETS SUED........ALL OF US???; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by travis on March 11, 2009 at 11:22am: You obviously feel strongly of the subject and I think it is refreshing to see someone who has a different view then the other people who posted. Its easier for me to choose my position since its not my tax money being spend(I'm not living in America).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jada L. on March 11, 2009 at 9:40am: woohoo it is about damn time. I am so excited about this development. This means that so many people will be able to get the help they need and even cures for things that there are currently no cures for. I cannot wait for there to be a cure for MS and other neurological diseases. I will finally have me life back. God bless President Obama, and I thank him for restoring my hope.

Jada; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrew on March 12, 2009 at 7:06am: There are currently therapies being tested using adult stem cells, and there's been a lot of progress, while there's been NO progress using embryonic stem cells. And yes, there is funding for embryonic stem cell research from the private sector. It wasn't a full out ban on the research. It was a limitation on Federal funding.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chip.black on April 24, 2009 at 10:25am: . . . there's been NO progress using embryonic stem cells.

There's been enough progress to convince many scientists that embryonic stem cells have significantly more potential to provide therapies for spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, hundreds of rare immune system and genetic disorders.

And yes, there is funding for embryonic stem cell research from the private sector. It wasn't a full out ban on the research. It was a limitation on Federal funding.

What the ban meant was, if you spent federal money on the counter top, a beaker, or anything else in a lab, then you could never use that lab for any kind of embryonic research again EVER. In truth, most private funding is used to provide required MATCHING funds for federal grants.

So, the real world effect of the ban was as a flat out ban of all embryonic stem cell research. Therefore we shouldn't be surprised that there's been more progress with adult stem cells.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by nfan12 on March 11, 2009 at 10:04am: Well, I Agree With President Obama's Decision to Allow Stem Cell Research Because it can really help paralyzed people Because there Neurons cannot grow back and if you take them from Umbillical Cords, they are new, so sooner or later they are going to grow into full Neurons someday and help the person out Greatly. :) Thanks for the Really Great Discussion!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by travis on March 11, 2009 at 11:24am: Thanks for the really great reply =). I too agree with President Obama's decision.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by nfan12 on March 11, 2009 at 11:43am: Thanks For Replying For the Great Reply! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jaym on March 11, 2009 at 2:01pm: If people would take a moment to educate themselves on the issue, they'd understand there's no "controversy" to be had: It is possible to CLONE the cells, therefore regardless of your belief system on the use of embryo cells (which, by the way, all get DESTROYED anyways), there is no point in the process where "unborn lives" are at risk.

The only thing that we're looking at here is using ALL our resources to try to cure millions of people from horribly debilitating diseases... or allowing right-wing religious fanatics to force their religious beliefs upon the rest of us to stop scientific advancement.

I've really, really had it with the Warpublican/Conservative movement right now. The lack of wisdom, intellect and sheer common sense to be had in any of the members of their party- including Libertarians and the like- is scary in how massive it is. Yet day after day we have truly hate-filled propagandists in the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter spewing lie after lie to these same masses who are so easily brainwashed because of their lack of brain power and ability to think for themselves.

It is these people, who are at the very heart of keeping us divided as a nation, by purposely misleading millions of people in an effort to keep their status and extreme wealth with no regards for anyone or anything but themselves- while continuing to state otherwise in a massive illusion.

President Obama, in his first few months here in office, is so vastly beyond an improvement from Bush that it's immeasurable. We've gone from the worst President in American history to one that has the potential to be one of the best in American history- so long as he's able to accomplish his goals while cleaning up the mess the Warpublicans left him- an mess of unprecedented proportions.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on March 11, 2009 at 2:37pm: I am glad that I read all of this discussion. There are some very informed people who responded.

Thanks for the info. I did not have so many facts.

I think it is great. When Obama made the remark that he was going to change some things with just a stroke of his pen, when he took office, I was looking for this to be one of the first things.

Thank goodness that he did. Suffering people are depending on this research and the outcome that it may bring. I love it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by travis on March 11, 2009 at 2:55pm: Yes, well i didn't research this topic Greatly yet so I guess its fair to say that I posted some ideas wrongfully. But the point of my post was not to only let people know the news but also to gain knowledge on the topic myself. In my head I thought "these could have been children if they had not been given to research labs". But after a little(not very much) research I have found that the child would not have been born anyway. So I'm confident now that Obama made the correct decision. You are in the right train of thought. Although you seemed a bit snotty in the reply you left. It was as if you blamed me for not knowing 100% of the facts. I never said I was an expert. No offense that's just how I took it.; ▶ Reply to This