There were a number of interesting comments. I will reply to a few.
Several comments oppose federal support of medical or other research. That is a legitimate position, but it is not directly relevant to the stem cell issue. The reason is that banning federal support of stem cell research does not entail a reduction in the total federal funding of research, but merely a reallocation from stem cell research to other research.
In support of federal funding of basic research in general, as distinct from relying on state and private donations, David points out that "Almost every lab in a reputable academic institution in this country pursues multiple projects at once. Thus, scientists from those labs would have to create entirely new labs, devoid of federal funding, to perform even one experiment using stem cells."
Federal fundingof research is not ideal, because of political interference--the ban on stem cell research is only one example. More important is the overinvestment in research on AIDS, relative to the number of lives at risk, and the disproportionate investment in research on breast cancer, compared for example to research on prostate cancer. In general, though, the federal peer review process assures that NIH grants (for example) go to high-quality projects. I do not believe there is the same kind of politicized geographical dispersion that one finds in more politicized and less objective areas that federal largesse supports, such as grants by the National Endowment of the Humanities.
A number of the comments debate what seem to me purely metaphysical questions concerning when life begins, whether five-day embryos should be treated as full-fledged human beings, etc. By "metaphysical" I mean can't be resolved by reference to logic or evidence. They are matters of opinion and endless contestation, strongly influenced by religious views that cannot be verified or refuted (modern religions are careful to avoid proposing falsifiable hypotheses, such as that the world will end on September 1, 2006). I get no nourishment from such debates. I believe that upbringing, temperament, experience, emotion, and certain brute facts determine one's answers to such questions, not truth or falsity. If stem cell researh fulfills its promise, I believe that the moral objections will be swept aside, because even religious Americans are pragmatists.
I do not agree that if you think it's okay to harvest stem cells from a five-day old embryos, you've got no grounds for condemning the murder of children and adults or even the killing of a three-month old fetus. All societies draw lines in these matters; none I think considers a decision to be celibate the equivalent of murder because the decision results in extinguishing potential life. Where the lines are drawn depend ultimately, I have suggested, in our society at least, on practical considerations.
By destroying embryos you're not extinguishing potential life... you're extinguishing life. Now whether or not thats good or bad is up for debate.
Posted by: Nelson | 08/28/2006 at 09:20 AM
"If stem cell researh fulfills its promise, I believe that the moral objections will be swept aside, because even religious Americans are pragmatists."
If torture fulfills its promise, I do not believe that moral objections will be swept aside.It is always the problem between means and ends.
Luis M. Aguirre
Posted by: Luis | 08/29/2006 at 01:09 PM
"Google" this - "vanishing twin syndrome." There is lots of trash in here, but also hard evidence. Eggs are fertilized in a flallopian tube. In identical twins the egg splits as it enters the uterus, each egg attaching to a separate part of the womb where they nuture and divide. Both eggs can be caught with sounding equipment. Then one in many cases disappears!
If I am the survivor of a vanishing twin syndrome does that mean I killed another egg in my mother's womb in order to survive, or did I kill another human being?
Some, very preliminary research, suggests the surviving twin is left-handed. I am left-handed. Be careful if, for any metaphysical reason, you accuse me of killing my twin brother. To give me that guilt trip is not really a Christian gesture is it?
Posted by: R. H. Morneau, Jr. | 08/29/2006 at 01:33 PM
مركز تحميل
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/26/2009 at 11:34 PM
بنت الزلفي
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/07/2009 at 04:39 AM
Thank you, you always get to all new and used it
شات صوتي
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/09/2009 at 08:53 AM
thanksss
ÿ¥ÿßÿ™ ŸÖÿµÿ±
--
دردشة مصرية
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/14/2009 at 07:42 PM
PGhZaD
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/16/2009 at 05:38 AM
ÿØÿ±ÿØÿ¥ÿ©
___
صور
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/17/2009 at 02:36 PM
Hello. History is more or less bunk.
I am from Sierra and learning to write in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Mla style citation norris, tameka beautiful bountiful bunk beds."
Thanks for the help 8), Reed.
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/18/2009 at 01:32 AM
Thank you, you always get to all new and used it
ÿ¥ÿßÿ™
دردشه
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/19/2009 at 12:42 PM
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/23/2009 at 06:32 AM
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/23/2009 at 06:45 AM
Perfect work!
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/23/2009 at 02:14 PM
Great site. Keep doing.
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/23/2009 at 09:59 PM
دردشة برق
دردشة الخليج
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/30/2009 at 06:04 PM
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Posted by: Anonymous | 07/30/2009 at 08:56 PM
thanks to tell me that,i think thats so usefully----
tiffany
links london
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/03/2009 at 04:14 AM
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/03/2009 at 08:26 AM
Good morning. Why do writers write? Because it isn't there.
I am from San and learning to speak English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "However, remember the better the filtration, the more expensive would the vacuum cleaner be."
Waiting for a reply :p, Computer vacuum cleaner.
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/06/2009 at 06:12 PM
Keep the good works comming.
I am from Kyrgyzstan and also now'm speaking English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "More designers for kitchen are developing a special counter called kitchen island."
With love :-), Michael island kitchen.
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/09/2009 at 06:43 AM
Could you help me. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
I am from Cyprus and also now teach English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "I will download it as well I must say, the I is the most ingenius ever invented."
Thanks :o. Sales on designer handbags.
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/12/2009 at 01:50 AM
شات الشلة
دردشة تعب قلبي
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/19/2009 at 08:59 AM
ÿ¥ÿßÿ™ ÿØŸÑÿπ
شات الود
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/19/2009 at 08:59 AM
شات حبي
شات الحب
Posted by: Anonymous | 08/19/2009 at 09:00 AM