Embryonic Stem Cells and “Pro-life” Politics
A while back the news media decided to call out the Republicans. Prominent pro-life advocates were abound in Presidential Debates. It’s interesting how these same candidates are pro-life when it comes to the womb, but have no qualms about the sanctity of life when it comes to the death penalty. If they are so adamant about the sanctity of all life then they shouldn’t so staunchly support the death penalty. It seems quite contradictory and disingenuous to argue against stem cell research on the basis of a pro-life position if in fact you support the death penalty. The reality is we decide every day which life has more value than another (when we execute a death sentence for example). The restrictions on embryonic stem cell research by President Bush (Bush vetoed a stem cell research bill) and the Republicans is retarding the scientific progress that is being made in biomedical research. This same research that could bring unlimited relief and ease suffering of those afflicted with devastating chronic diseases. It seems to me that if we are willing to end the lives of criminals to maintain law and order in society then we should be able by that same reasoning to make use of our own procreative cells to help heal our society as well.
Finally, this is to say nothing of a separate debate about using embryonic stem cells which are generated by in vitro fertilization whereby currently unused reproductive progenitor cells are discarded and wasted because of restrictions on stem cell research. Please see links below to further your understanding about the science behind stem cell research before you start to make decisions about the political debate.
The basics and a flash tutorial from the great University of Michigan Medical School.
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