Posted on 11/24/2007 10:59:45 AM PST by wagglebee
The scientist who helped ignite cultural and political controversy with the use of embryos in stem-cell research believes his new discovery using ordinary adult skin cells means the war is virtually over.
"A decade from now, this will be just a funny historical footnote," James A. Thomson told the New York Times in an interview.
Thomson's laboratory at the University of Wisconsin was one of two that announced Tuesday a new way to turn ordinary human skin cells into what appear to be embryonic stem cells without using a human embryo.
The technique involves adding four genes to ordinary adult skin cells.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
I don't recall saying it wasn't the murder of human life; merely that you were blaming the wrong culprits.
no matter how you spin it.
So far as I know, I haven't "spun" anything.
I believe that Charles referred to this discovery as the greatest discovery in the last half century.
So far as I know, I haven't "spun" anything.
I get the impression that you are trying to downplay the significance of the carnage by saying that they are from fertility clinics and "not needed" anymore.
The really stupid and infuriating part is that for 99% of them, the ONLY reason they wanted embryonic stem-cell research is because President Bush didn't want it taking place. For people who don't know what a "cell" is, let alone a "stem cell", the following logic sufficed: Bush bad = stem-cell research good.
From what I've read, aborted babies are too far developed to be a really good source of stem cells; embryos seem to be a "better" source and the most used, because by the time babies are aborted, their cells have begun differentiating already.
I get the impression that you are trying to downplay the significance of the carnage by saying that they are from fertility clinics and "not needed" anymore.
Basically I was trying to correct what seemed to be a misconception among those on this board that the embryos were coming from abortion clinics. They aren't. Thomson himself said he was using discarded embryos from fertility clinics.
Yes most definitely. President Bush has done many great things.
The reality is that there has NEVER been any evidence that embryonic stem cells would do anything but produce tumors. The progress with stem cells has always been from adult and umbilical cord cells.
Basically I was trying to correct what seemed to be a misconception among those on this board that the embryos were coming from abortion clinics. They aren't. Thomson himself said he was using discarded embryos from fertility clinics.
Untrue, they are taking stem cells from aborted fetuses:
Embryonic Stem Cell Research: The Jewish Perspective
International Society for Stem Cell Research FAQ
Stem Cell Research
State Embryonic and Fetal Research Laws
Embryonic Versus Adult Stem Cells? Its Really No Contest
Obviously, you haven't read the sources you linked very well.
What are you talking about? They ALL talk about harvesting stem cells from aborted fetuses, granted they are not termed “embryonic” but they are still harvesting cells.
"There are four primary sources for embryonic stem cells: existing stem cell lines, aborted or miscarried embryos, unused in vitro fertilized embryos, and cloned embryos."
"Many states restrict research on aborted fetuses or embryos, but research is often permitted with consent of the patient."
This is just one example of the Pandora's Box created when wandering into this realm.
It's true that a tadpole is not frog, but it is the very same life that will become the frog if the natural course of events are not interrupted.
The frozen embryos action interrupts that natural course of life, not of a frog, but of an actual human being.
Therefore, I believe the parents can no more "give consent" to terminate those lives anymore than they can consent to terminate the lives of their offspring at more advanced stages of human development.
Otherwise, where does it end?
"Hi Bob, how is your wife and boy?"
"The wife is fine, but Johny, well let's just say it was doubtful that he was PhD. material. So, you know..."
"You terminated him?"
"Yep."
And they all say that aborted fetuses aren't the best or preferred source, embryos are...as you note, hence the term embryonic stem cells.
The FACT still remains that stem cells are harvested from aborted fetuses.
Hilarious.
If this guy thinks the multi-billion-dollar abortion industry and it's chief sponsor the Democrat Party are going to let "embryonic stem cell research" become a "historical footnote", then this guy is nuts. I have a feeling Thomson is about to get slimed from head to toe by the Democrat dirt machine. That's an important Democrat campaign money laundromat he's messing with.
Well, there you go. On the other hand, do most families want 20 or 30 kids? As I've said, it's a bit difficult to figure out how many eggs will fertilize, and of those how many will implant.
On the other hand, if not for the IVF clinics, none of those eggs probably would have ever been fertilized, and there are many babies now living who wouldn't have been born otherwise. Does the bad outweigh the good, or is the bad still just as bad? (There is also research being done on embryos to try to figure out why some fertilize & some don't, some implant and others don't, etc. in hopes of decreasing those numbers eventually.)
What about the people who use this technology to ensure they don't pass along genetically carried diseases? They discard the embryos that would be afflicted and only implant the healthy ones. If not for the technology, they might choose to have no children at all, so neither the afflicted or the healthy embryos would have been created.
Notice that in asking these questions I am not taking a side. It's just there is a lot more to this than just embryonic stem cell research, and it's not regulated in our country. A lot of people don't like the direction the regulations have taken in, for instance, England, but at least they are addressing the issues.
“Scientist who ignited stem-cell war says it’s over”
It’s got to be a trick.
“True believers” won’t dupe a bankrupt state into spending an extra
$3 Billion to $6 Billion...
just to run up the white flag.
Perhaps not, but you ARE exclusively repeating the left's talking points.
What an absolutely ignorant thing to say.
For crying out loud, don’t you know that the vocal majority of this board is now dedicated to Bush bashing?
Lets get past this minor piece of news trivia and get back to tearing down anyone that might have a chance at beating the democrats. Let’s continue to help put Hilary back in the Whitehouse....come on, we can do it, we are almost there. Remember: We must stay fractured, as being united is for the democrats. /sarc
Strawman, but typical. If you can't address the questions asked, or don't agree with the answers, accuse the other of being a liberal.
Totally untrue. I NEVER accused you of being a liberal, I merely pointed out that you have been repeating their talking points. As far as not answering the questions, I gave links to multiple sites confirming that aborted fetuses are harvested for stem cells.
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