Stem Cell Research--The Bush View
Contrary to popular opinion, the Bush Admininistration has funded stem cell research; in 2003 they funded $200 million for adult stem cell research, and $25 million for embryonic stem cell research. Even Michael Kinsley, no friend of the President, has acknowledged that:
It is true indeed that Bush's predecessors, from George Washington to Bill Clinton, failed to fund embryonic stem cell research.
Kinsley of course goes on to claim that nobody funded stem cell research before Bush because it didn't exist. This would no doubt come as a surprise to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which called for federal funding of stem cell research in a press release dated 8/19/99. Going a bit further back in time, I found an advertisement for a "Stem Cell Research Associate" in 1995. Here's a grant application from 1990, which notes as follows:
The Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), invites grant applications for a single competition for support of basic and applied research on the development and utilization of in vitro culture systems for stem cells. This research will help to gain basic insights into the control of hematopoiesis and stem cell engraftment and to produce stem cells and other specific cell populations that might be useful in transplantation and transfusion therapies.
There seems to be a common belief in the media that only embryonic stem cell lines hold breakthrough promise for cures. This is not the case.
Paralyzed people with serious spinal injuries like those afflicting Tada and Reeve have regained feeling in their bodies using adult-tissue therapies.
My personal concern about embryonic stem cell research is that it continues a dangerous pattern of searching for a use for aborted embryos (remember fetal tissue research?). But doesn't this run the risk of creating a demand for embryos? We have already seen parents have a second child for the purpose of becoming an organ donor for the existing child; it seems inevitable that cloning for the same purpose will eventually occur (since siblings are not guaranteed to have the same blood type). This continues a trend towards devaluation of human life that is extremely troubling.
Next topic: Terrorism
It is true indeed that Bush's predecessors, from George Washington to Bill Clinton, failed to fund embryonic stem cell research.
Kinsley of course goes on to claim that nobody funded stem cell research before Bush because it didn't exist. This would no doubt come as a surprise to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which called for federal funding of stem cell research in a press release dated 8/19/99. Going a bit further back in time, I found an advertisement for a "Stem Cell Research Associate" in 1995. Here's a grant application from 1990, which notes as follows:
The Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), invites grant applications for a single competition for support of basic and applied research on the development and utilization of in vitro culture systems for stem cells. This research will help to gain basic insights into the control of hematopoiesis and stem cell engraftment and to produce stem cells and other specific cell populations that might be useful in transplantation and transfusion therapies.
There seems to be a common belief in the media that only embryonic stem cell lines hold breakthrough promise for cures. This is not the case.
Paralyzed people with serious spinal injuries like those afflicting Tada and Reeve have regained feeling in their bodies using adult-tissue therapies.
My personal concern about embryonic stem cell research is that it continues a dangerous pattern of searching for a use for aborted embryos (remember fetal tissue research?). But doesn't this run the risk of creating a demand for embryos? We have already seen parents have a second child for the purpose of becoming an organ donor for the existing child; it seems inevitable that cloning for the same purpose will eventually occur (since siblings are not guaranteed to have the same blood type). This continues a trend towards devaluation of human life that is extremely troubling.
Next topic: Terrorism
posted by Pat at 8:49 AM
2 Comments:
When I commented on Paul's view, I had momentarily forgotten that Bush has funded the research. You've done a lot of work, Pat! Thanks!
Thanks again! I'm for the Bush approach. I cannot condone the dangerous precident that increased embryonic research entails.
Can't wait for your Terrorism post!
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