Just Let It Breathe…
Time magazine has an excellent article on the current state of stem cell research in the August 7, 2006, issue. The article entitled Stem Cells: The Hope and The Hype by Nancy Gibbs, with reporting by Alice Park/New York and Dan Cray/Los Angeles, is available online. The entire article is most informative and is anchored by statements such as:
When it comes to such an impossibly complicated matter as stem cells, the best role for legislators and Presidents may be neither to steer the science nor to stall it but to stand aside and let it breathe.
Whatever your political or scientific views of this controversial issue, this article will most likely deliver a morsel you did not know.
My own view is not important, but I strongly support accelerated funding for public and private funded stem cell research. Yes, there need to be controls and checks and balances. We have the technology to begin to develop not only cures, but preventive measures for many of the horrible ravages that plague humankind. To not try is a crime against humanity. For those who profess to believe in sin and eternal damnation, blocking such research and development is a one way ticket to their own personal hell. That bus is already heavily loaded and is being driven by one G.W. Bush.
9 Comments so far
Can’t understand why saving life is against God, and the Bible, (supposedly) yet sending our young people off to war is seen as a glorious, patriotic and Bible-backed action.
No offence meant to anyone, but I am beginning to wonder if there is a direct link between religion and the inability to think rationally.
Answers on a postcard please to……
ainelivia…
I’ve been thinking that same thing for a long time. In fact, have been working on a post or three that will review/expose my own spirituality/religiosity (?) or lack thereof… I know what I want to say, but am having trouble figuring out how to begin…
Winston, I know that feeling, that post of mine that you just made that lovely commment on, well that took me three weeks to write, and most of that time just mulling over whether I wanted to rant and rave and be angry at the pointlessness of it all, or actually say something that might mean something to myself and for others… best of irish and I look forward to your post
I agree with using more research funds to work with existing embryos which have already been created and are not going to be used. I would not favor creating them for that purpose but there is no need to do that given the fertilization programs active in the US right now. To me it was pure ideology and pandering to a constituency that led Bush to come out as he did. High moral ideals indeed…
What can I add other than, yes. I, also, am looking forward to your post concerning your own spirituality or lack thereof.
We have grown accustomed to this country being the leader in medical and scientific development. In the area of stem cell research, some other country will get it done. I can only hope (and pray!*) it is sooner rather than later. (*My spirituality allows prayer, but not in public)
Let it breathe indeed…I’m an atheist so I don’t really care about the “religious” side of things; in fact, if there really was an omniscient, wonderful, fairy tale god that created everything, can control everything, etc, we wouldn’t be discussing stem cell research because it would never inflict upon us atrocities/diseases/etc that we need to try and use stem cell research to fight and possibly fix/cure. Or maybe “he” does…just to “test” us, etc…because that makes a LOT of sense.
Okay, rant over now.
Found you via my blog uncle by the way!
Have a great day!
I can only agree with all of the comments. I know we are not the only ones that feel this way. Any shreds of my religious experience left are becoming raggedy and I find it difficult to believe or follow any organized religion. Therefore,I shy away from the spiritual.
ya..what ainelivia said…