"I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim and declare the unalienable personhood of every American, from the moment of conception until natural death, and I do proclaim, ordain, and declare that I will take care that the Constitution and laws of the United States are faithfully executed for the protection of America's unborn children." - Presidential Proclamation, Jan. 14, 1988
Didn't see your post. You said it far better than I did. :o)
The big problem is that the powers that be make it sound like there are no other options to fetal stem cells. Let alone a far better option, scientifically, as well as morally.
Because there are limits as to what adult stem cells can do, while there is no limit for those recovered from blastocytes. This approach goes for limited instant gratification at the sacrifice of the long-term goal of even greater good. We need to invest in both.
I find it interesing all these "scientific" attacks on pluripotent stem cell research. Researchers are going on Capitol Hill and in the media to talk trash about pluripotent research. I've finally figured out the motivation -- there are a limited number of grant dollars, and unethically trashing the competition that means more for them.
I've lost a ggmother to alzheimers, and my grandmother and great aunt are starting that journey. I would never suggest to them that course of treatment, just to let them live longer. If there was another way, then.... but not at the expense of those who are just starting their life.
Check out new web site "www.nationalmorality.com."
***why don't we invest our money in research that not only respects all human life, but offers a real remedy right now to many diseases?***
Because research using adult stem cells would involve pesky things like finding volunteers, signing consent forms, medicine (costing money) to harvest the stem cells, etc.
When killing an unborn baby, researchers don't have to deal with any of that.
BTW, if harvesting my stem cells offered a real chance at finding a cure, I would happily volunteer to share.