[mware]

Good for Krauthammer, he has more reason than most to hope for scientific research.

He seems to understand that all needs to not warrent the means of obtaining them.

[Guenevere]

I agree with you....and Krauthammer has long been one of my favorites...

...however, I didn't know his position on abortion...

..and I stand amazed he can defend the right to life of stem cells, but not babies in the womb.

Seems a huge disconnect.

[jtill]

This is a revolutionary finding. Amniotic fluid surrounds the baby in the womb during pregnancy. It is routinely drawn out by needle in amniocentesis. The procedure carries little risk and is done for legitimate medical purposes that have nothing to do with stem cells. If it nonetheless yields a harvest of stem cells, we have just stumbled upon an endless supply.

And not just endless, but uncontroversial. No embryos are destroyed. The cells are just floating there, as if waiting for science to discover them.

It has been my understanding that amniocentesis can, and does, often cause spontaneous miscarriage. Additionally, if the needle is not placed correctly, it can do much harm to the fetus. I don't see this as a win win.