58 Senators Seek Looser Stem-Cell Rules

 

WASHINGTON - Fifty-eight senators are asking President Bush (news - web sites) to relax federal restrictions on stem cell research, and several said Monday that the late President Reagan's Alzheimer's disease (news - web sites) underscored a need to expand the research using human embryos.

 

The senators' letter to Bush was sent Friday, before Reagan died after a long struggle with Alzheimer's.

 

Nancy Reagan and many democrates have been for research, the GOP, based on Pro-Life and religious beliefs, have blocked it.

I think stem cells should be allowed for research. It's not like we're killing newborns ya know. How many people have to die of potentially curable diseases?

I think stem cells should be allowed for research.  It's not like we're killing newborns ya know.  How many people have to die of potentially curable diseases?

no, but many come from abortions, which is why the GOP has a problem in allowing the research.

no, but many come from abortions, which is why the GOP has a problem in allowing the research.

It would bring meaning to their life that is being terminated (whether you believe it is being terminated or terminated before they begin to live, which ever way makes you happy) anyway, whether stem cell research is 'ok' or not. So to make a long story short, I am for it as long as the research is monitored in one way or another.

You know what? The abortion debate gives me a headache. I dont want anything to do with it. I just dont care.

You know what?  The abortion debate gives me a headache.  I dont want anything to do with it.  I just dont care.

Same here. The hardcore on both sides have gone to such extremes, it's embarrasing.

Sadly, and IMO, the only way this research gets reinstated is if someone in GDub's family is effected by it.

Sadly, and IMO, the only way this research gets reinstated is if someone in GDub's family is effected by it.

Or Kerry is elected along with a few Dems

Sadly, and IMO, the only way this research gets reinstated is if someone in GDub's family is effected by it.

i agree with Steff. It's very easy for those to cast "moral authorities" over topics and issues that have never affected their lives. Let's see Bush and other conservatives act when it's their daughter or granddaughter that unfortunately gets raped and gets pregnant. What will be their position then?

I'm a little confused by this discussion. Stem cells do not come from abortions, but the abortion debate is brought into the stem cell debate because in order to do the research the embryo is killed and thus killing the chance of a baby developing. The embryos are usually only about 4 - 5 days old and come from infertility clinics that were using the embryos for in vitro fertilization. Some parents when they no longer need the embryos will donate them to stem cell research. So stem cells do not come from abortions. In fact by the time a woman has an abortion, there are no longer any stem cells left. So anyway, I don't mean to seem like a know it all, but I learned about this stuff in anatomy a few years ago and just thought that maybe a little more information would help some of you choose a position.

 

If you want to know more about Stem Cells, go here

I'm a little confused by this discussion.  Stem cells do not come from abortions, but the abortion debate is brought into the stem cell debate because in order to do the research the embryo is killed and thus killing the chance of a baby developing.  The embryos are usually only about 4 - 5 days old and come from infertility clinics that were using the embryos for in vitro fertilization.  Some parents when they no longer need the embryos will donate them to stem cell research.  So stem cells do not come from abortions.  In fact by the time a woman has an abortion, there are no longer any stem cells left.  So anyway, I don't mean to seem like a know it all, but I learned about this stuff in anatomy a few years ago and just thought that maybe a little more information would help some of you choose a position.

 

If you want to know more about Stem Cells, go here

The reason abortion comes into it is the fear that if we allow this research how can their be laws to stop abortion? If we call these "non human" in some way it takes away from the Pro-Life position that life begins at conception. Republican platforms are against all attempts to widen abortion and generally for anything to restrict it.

 

Thus we have noth parties IMHO, looking like dumb asses. Reps not wanting stem cell research using human cells that will not be implanted and Dems trying to defend partial birth abortions on demand.

 

All laws that attempt to classify human cells are studied closely by the extremist in the abortion debate.

The reason abortion comes into it is the fear that if we allow this research how can their be laws to stop abortion? If we call these "non human" in some way it takes away from the Pro-Life position that life begins at conception. Republican platforms are against all attempts to widen abortion and generally for anything to restrict it.

 

Thus we have noth parties IMHO, looking like dumb asses. Reps not wanting stem cell research using human cells that will not be implanted and Dems trying to defend partial birth abortions on demand.

 

All laws that attempt to classify human cells are studied closely by the extremist in the abortion debate.

Oh, I knew how abortion entered into the debate on stem cell research. I was confused because I was getting the impression that some people thought that in order to obtain the stem cells an abortion had to be done. But I may have just misread people.

Oh, I knew how abortion entered into the debate on stem cell research.  I was confused because I was getting the impression that some people thought that in order to obtain the stem cells an abortion had to be done.  But I may have just misread people.

The Pro-life extremist have predicted that research facilites would be buying aborted fetuses and women would be conceiving, and aborting for fun and profit. Again, both sides make these extreme accusations that IMHO are out of step with mainstream America.

Wow and I thought only Republicans exploited death for political gain...

The Pro-life extremist have predicted that research facilites would be buying aborted fetuses and women would be conceiving, and aborting for fun and profit. Again, both sides make these extreme accusations that IMHO are out of step with mainstream America.

Okay, now I understand. Even though that is stupid seeing as how the abortions would have to take place within 5 days of conception in order to get the stem cells...that'll happen Ugh, I'm a poli sci major, but those extremists in politics drive me craaaaaaazy