Embryonic stem cell research is NOT necessary! Let alone having it funded by our tax dollars. The "Science" is NOT there yet to confirm that it will work. Let these reaserchers go find private funding if they persist in this direction. Much greater potential has already been medically confirmed using "Adult" & "Cord" (umblical) stems cells, without destroying life.

We started down this "Slippery Slope" in 1973 with Roe vs. Wade, now we rationalize turning our backs on the sanctity of human life more and more with each passing year. We are responsible for creating this "culture of death" instead of a culture of life.

Years ago, the same rationale was used by the Nazi's and the modern Margaret Sangers (eugenicist and founder of Planned Parenthood) of the world when we continue to dupe ourslves into thinking we are saving future lives by using "spare parts" (discarded human embryos / babies) for the betterment of mankind. This leads to a "situational ethics" mindset - some types of people are more valuable than others to society. The Nazis swallowed that lie "hook, line and sinker" then tried to force it on the rest of us.

All human life (even the unborn)is made in the image of God and should be protected and cherished, especially the most vulnerable and weak among us.

In the February 19, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Asociation an article was published that demonstrates how Adult Stem Cells from our own bone marrow can differenciate into the most complex cell, the neuron. Several other articles have been published in the same journal to substantiate the flexiblity of these cells to differentiate into many types of tissues. These adult stems cells offer tremendous promise and thus far, from my own experience have been very effective in dealing with many issues. The key is to support this process of producing adult stem cells, and to produce them in larger quantities. There are nutritional interventions that work quite well to support this process as well as knowing how to use hydrotherapy. In essence, it is not necessary to use embryonic stem cells. Anyone who would suggest otherwise has a hidden agenda.

Politicians, scientists, and the news media are always promising some new "breakthrough" accomplishment if only the public will agree to more taxes, lower ethical constraints, or tuning in to the latest advertisement.

I am reminded of what Thomas Jefferson once said, "The man who reads NOTHING at all is still better informed that he who reads ONLY the newspapers."

I lived long enough to measure the effects humankind has had on the climate, environment, and life--all of our solutions have regretable results. Life has survived and florished for eons without our intervention--resist the temptation to play God.

CL Howell

well so far I have read the comments of those who either sing the praise of this research ot deplore it due to its very nature.

As for the arguement that the "material" for this research is gained from killing babies, bud this is legit research I cannot fathom the posibility that any researcher("scientist" for the mentally challenged) would intrentionally take a lifef no mater what stage it was in inorder to perform this research they are studying "Life Saving" technology, techniques and principles here, not a biological weapon.

Now that being said look as someone has already stated abortion is legal in this country, like it or not and really I'm not asking, it is. So, why not get something useful i.e. meaning from a life snuffed, put it to good use in this research in the hope, and probable outcome of life saving treatments for those afflicted by disease.

If you care to argue that this research is wrong because of the use of aborted fetus's well bud I think your wrong, I am no fan of abotion by no means but I see no reason not to gain some use from it since it is legal and to be honest will be probably untill long after I'm gone. If the good of various cures from disease, a method for successfully synthysizing those cures, and other very good things can come from the evil of killing then so be it, it is a small price to pay.

If you care to argue against something argue against abortion itself, that after all is the root of your arguement. But please don't waste our time argueing against this when your true issue is that of abortion.

I say lets throw the weak ones off of the boat. While %$#%$#^ and doing philosopy with Plato. Oh and make the POPE the next president of the united states. So much for the seperation of church and state. We as Americans have become the worlds prudish. Maybe we never should have become independent. Oh also lets take advice from Doctor Spock on child care also, while getting our hair cut from a bald barber. Kudo's to the people who live a sheltered and unrealistic life.....Good luck!

You're not willing to use some cells from an unviable blastocyst to save another human life, but you're willing to kill another human being (anyone outside of being a U.S. citizen)to save your own asses. And you all claim this idiocy as "Morality"? No wonder I gave up on religion at age 11. It didn't make any sense then and it makes even less sense now!

An earlier contributor who is not named says, "There can be no true life if it is not self sustaining." Does he think that this persuades anyone? Next time you are on life support be sure and tell the doctors that you are not actually a living being because you are not “self sustaining” and they should not try and save you. What an ignorant comment! Almost as stupid as dismissing religious leaders knowledge in this area because they are not “scientist.” They are “religious know nothings.” I guess my United Methodist Ordination papers should be shredded at the door of life’s most central questions and my Yale degree is nullified because I chose religion.

Simply: these embryos are not the embryos that you see in pictures from life magazine not even the basic shrimp looking ones.They are way way earlier than that. These embryos are biological waste not because they are abortions, but because they are frozen for women who are trying to get pregnant and who don't uee the extra ones and will be disposed of. Have I ever heard of Christians killing women and children simply because of differing religious beliefs well first start with the Romans and then the crusades and well how about George Bush bombing Baghdad? Have you ever stopped to think how much more like Jesus those middle eastern folk are than you Jeff in Texas. THEY did not have it coming for 911 or whatever untenable cover created to stir up your hate and fear. Does stem cell research rise serious ethical and spiritual questions? In an enormus way but people keep debating things without weighing the facts and act like it's chopping babies up with razor blades, while pretending we are not slaughtering our own precious sone and daughters in the name of God- knows- What. George Bush certainly is not doing God's work by any Christian example that Jesus inspired. The hypocrisy in all of this screams but no one on the far right can even hear it. If you want to protect life at all costs even before it's got brain cells formed where is your passion to keep our children's brains from being splattered ? Where is your Christian compassion for the Iraqi's we have destroyed. There are many tiny children with their arms and legs blown off and worse by Americans IF you claim to honour life for the sake of your GOD honour it!!

"This is exactly what Hitler's and the pro-choice (anti-life/anti-embryo) mentality is all about! - "Getting rid of people" just because you don't like them or don't think they are of use or value to society. Hitler was very effective in "getting rid of people" - and so is the anti-life/anti-embryo movement!

25,000,000+ lives ended and still going strong!

Maybe one or more of THOSE lives were supposed to have been the one(s) that were to have found the cures for these diseases for us!"

-So it is your opinion that the actions of Man are more powerful than the Will of God? Consider the meaning of your own thoughts by all means, before passing them along.

Eliminate pollution, chemicals and preservatives in foods, clean up the environment and watch the disease level drop. No need to inject anyone with anything if the real culprits were dealt with. Diabetes is "controlled" with injections from concoctions from animals or synthetics when there are natural ways to deal with it. Take this pill to control your blood pressure, when side affects appear they'll give you another pill. Now they want to try and cure diseases (mostly caused by man-made greed, stupidity and the ever prevailing, who can do it first syndrome) with still more invasive procedures. The need to clean the air and get back to natural things should be first and foremost in everyone's mind.
No, I am not against science or scientists. No I am not particularly religious. I just happen to remember a better time in life when people didn't fear buying contaminated food because they grew they own. When home remedies could still ease colds,aches and pains without constant trips to the doctor and shoveling pills down their throat. No I don't live in the past, but the past held far more insight to a healthier life than all the "research" in the world is going to accomplish

Conservatives are hypocrites to constantly recite their mantra of sanctity of human life in a country where we execute prisoners, contributed to the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Iraqis, and have an infant mortality rate amongst the highest in the western world.

Re: Last post

A terrorist instills terror on people, i.e. a suicide bomber. God is someone that this country was founded on. See the difference?

War is another story and since we have democratic principles, Congress decides if we go to war. Therefore, it is the will of the people.

Actually the conservatives thinks that the researcher will take the power of almighty in hand when they do not have the believe in mind that GOD HAS the power to create and to destroy every thing when wishes to be.Moreover when the stem cell does not constitute a life I do not think it goes agains the will of GOD whenb it is for the benefit of loving creation .

In answer to Jeff's (Katy, Tx) question, "When was the last time that you heard of a group of "bible thumpers" endorsing the killing of innocent men, women, and children just for having a different belief system????" Ever heard of the crusades? Ever heard of the KKK? Good, devout christians killing people for just that reason. Seems good christian soldiers are all for killing people in the name of Jesus when it's convenient for their cause. As for comparing "bible thumpers" to the Taliban, it isn't that much of a stretch. They believe in the same God you do. Do some research. If "bible thumpers" are religious fanatics who want laws enacted to force everyone to live the way they live, the comparison is an excellent one. Having strong religious beliefs, however, doesn't make one a fanatic. There is the right, the far right, and the idiotic right. The idiotic right are the fantatics who believe the universe was created just 5,000 years ago, even though there is irrefutable evidence that it has been around for billions of years. Stem cell research is just that: research. There are no guarantees with any kind of research. If there were guarantees there would be no need for the research. We would already know the answers. The only guarantee is that if you never do the research you will never know the answer. If, when I was an embryo, I was given the choice of saving thousands from the pain, suffering, and death caused by some debilitating disease or living out my single, selfish life I would, as would any reasonable person, gladly say "Do what you gotta do." After all, it wouldn't be such a sacrifice when you consider I would be going straight to heaven without having to pass the trials of this life. But, it would be a noble gesture. Think about it. If Hitler's mother could have said "yes" to stem cell research, Hitler may have done some good instead of causing the torture and deaths of millions.

STEM CELL RESEARCH MAY FAIL. BUT IT IS AN ATTEMPT IT TRY TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.MONEY IS NOT WHAT IS NEEDED AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WHO ARE BUSY PLAYING GAMES LIKE "JEOPARDY" INSTEAD OF USING THEIR WONDERFUL MINDS FOR ATTEMPTING TO HELP MANKIND .

This story is very misleading. First of all the researchers admitted that using these embryonic "building blocks" and the virus to introduce the building blocks in mice cells, will turn mice cells cancerous. Yet they think this will somehow improve if given to humans. It doesn't work yet they trumpet that a breakthrough using embryonic stem cells has been made. What a false and misleading news story. It reminds me of the fusion in a teacup story from the early nineties.

The left in this country are blind to the truth about therapies utilizing embryonic stem cells. They cause cancer. Every bit of research to date regarding embryonic stem cell therapy has caused runaway cancers. On the other hand there have been remarkable therapies using adult stem cells. About a half dozen trial patients who were paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries, testified before Congress in late 2005. While they all had to go through excruciating painful rehabilitation for atrophied muscles and low density bones, all were able to walk again. Some quite well, and a couple who could walk with the help of crutches. Their own adult stem cells were used and they don't have to use cyclosporin or other harsh anti-rejection drugs. There are other amazing cures using adult stem cells in development.

The left is so adamant about destroying embryos to make a political point, they fail to objectively look at the science. Embryonic stem cell research is a dead end, as this latest research shows. I wish MIT would spend as much time and money developing cures using adult stem cells. Those tailored cures without the need for anti-rejection drugs, is overwhelmingly the better option from both a moral and therapeutic reasons.

Mr. Bazell, THANK YOU for some benefits of your report. ONe, you point out the embryonic stem cells have MANY drawbacks, none the least of which they mutate into cancerous tumors.

Another, you used the word "embryonic" instead of a euphemism. Most mainstream media members are afraid to use the word honestly.

But I do wish you would run a story pointing out the 73 diseases that ADULT stem cells ALREADY TREAT.

If embryonic stem cells actually held the potential to cure diseases, private companies would be falling over themselves to fund research. It is really voodoo science being used as a rip off scheme of taxpayer money. There are more worthwhile medical research projects out there that are better use of taxpayer dollars.

The main problem I've noticed with peoples' opinions regarding Stem cell research, is the misconception that someone is being killed or destroyed. I sincerely wish that people knew the facts before they made these uneducated remarks. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that once a fetus has been LEGALLY terminated or miscarried it is known medically as waste. So .... why wouldn't that (WASTE) be appropriate to use for the benefit of an ill or dying person? Because of your ignorance and suseptibility to 'hearsay' people should suffer? You are fighting the wrong fight! Guess what abortion is legal-you missed the boat on that. In order for us to grow as a society we need to be more eduated on subjects that are of importantce to us and not be afraid to question what you can not comprehend , even if it goes against what your previous conception (or huge misconception). You will be more educated and more able to form a more rational viewpoint. Attempt to be smart!, be an individual and then form an educated opinion. I hope the religious aspect or lack there of, does not effect the end result in determining whether to federally fund the research. In my opinion we continue to test and use adult stem cells, as they are a known success in some instances. If futher funding and research is permitted, the use Embryonic stem cells should be highly regulated and only used in certian respects.

Maybe we should hold male and female terrorists together -- force them to copulate in the sultry breezes of Guantanamo Bay -- and then harvest their zygotes, blastulae, or whatever...

this is for someone earlier who put no name. They said that "It is still a part of another life." I have to counter that. We know that it is NOT part of the mother's life, because the mother's own body is capable of ATTACKING it(her immune system). You don't attack your own body unless you suffer from an autoimmune disease. That's a proven given. The next, which I can't prove, you can't either, saying that there are no thoughts. We don't know how far back memory goes. Everyone, or near everyone, has up to several years of their life that they have no current memories of. Doesn't mean there was no mental activity. And furthermore, if there wasn't, you'd have to demarcate a line, a clear point of beginning of mental activity, which wasn't written either.

Some of the posters here need to learn a few things about the research before they call it murder.... They do not kill a baby, it's a handful of cells in the very, very early stages of development. No brain or centrali nervous system, no organs of any kind, no bone structure and no heart of any kind. I understand the older generation reading this has very little understanding of science, but you need to put that Bible down and maybe pick up an anatomy book instead...Go ahead, flame away at me....

It IS and always will be morally acceptable to take a life to save another. It is acceptable in the BIBLE (by the hand of God and his followers, they were always murdering people by his command), it is acceptable on a governmental level (look at all the wars humans have had in the name of furthering the causes of one race or another) and it is acceptable on a research level when embryonic stem cells need to be used to save the already living and suffering. Science has always been hindered by religions. I'd be willing to bet my life savings that all the "faith" based people here have had to turn to intelligent, logical science for a cure to an ailment they've had at one time in their life. Stop being hypocrites.

Pray tell the difference between the use of someone's heart that has died to save the life of another and the use of the cells of a spontaneously aborted fetus to save the lives of others? In addition, if we can allow abortions (which I disagree with) than why is it we cannot use stem cells? It would seem that we are a two faced nation that does not use any logic to move forward but only emotions borne of beliefs not proven. Surely, the sanctity of life is what should be promoted? If we ban stem cell research we should ban organ transplants. We need to do things based on the greatest good for mankind. Allow stem cell research using the cells of miscarried children and ban abortion unless there are sound medical reasons to terminate a pregnancy, not just what is convenient.

The ES stem cell ethical boundary can be summarized in one way: if God created life and took life away in any "mysteriously" way He sees fit, how would one know if God wanted the "scientist" to created stem cell from embryos or not? If he does, we will have ES stem cells from embryos to cure diseases. It does not matter whether you are against it or not.

What kind of bull is "not killing life to save life"? Is it not what war is for? In order to protect the American way of life, we must kill the terrorist. In the name of God.