"Imagine - its not hard hard to do" stem cell article

[DanCa]

Message: 16
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 02:53:53 -0000
From: "Stephen Meyer" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Stuart James: Imagine-THE CHATTANOOGAN

Stuart James: Imagine
by Stuart James
posted August 10, 2005
THE CHATTANOOGAN


Stuart James

Imagine a world without cancer, a world without Alzheimer's, a world
without Parkinson's, a world where we can repair injured spines
restoring the ability to walk. Imagine a world where we unlock the
secrets that provide meaningful and healthy lives for everyone who
lives in our country.Recently, Senator Bill Frist did an "about face" on the issue of stem cell research. He informed the American public that he supported stem cell research, asking the President to reverse his decision on his past policy opposing expanding the lines for stem
cell research. The decision is a common sense one, providing the
medical community and the public with opportunities to research
cures for diseases that are now incurable.

The embryos used for stem cell research are often thrown in the
garbage. Those who oppose stem cell research, oppose the use of
human embryos on the concept that these embryos represent life. They
believe that the research is an act resulting in the destruction of
the human embryo and, consequently, the destruction of human life.
However, this approach ignores one important fact-if a frozen embryo
is not used within a certain time, then the embryo ends up in
the "garbage."We should, therefore, ask ourselves the question-is it better to allow human embryos to be "thrown away" or is it better to use these embryos for expanding medical research possibly curing diseases that plague our society.Senator Frist realizes the obvious; stem cell research is a valuable scientific tool benefiting humankind. He certainly must know that it is better to use these embryos than to throw them into the garbage.

Imagine a world without cancer, a world without Alzheimer's, a world
without Parkinson's, a world where we can heal injuries causing
paralysis-this world is possible with the responsible use of human
embryos in stem cell research.

It is time to imagine, it is time to act—stem cell research benefits
all of us.

[LynzM]

1. Imagine a world without diabetes....

That's the one that hits closest to home, right now, for me. But there is so much potential with stem cell research, which is the whole point. We should really, really be exploring and figuring out that potential!