Clark would lift stem cell restrictions

[wyldwolf]

Wesley Clark would lift federal funding restrictions President Bush put on stem cell research in 2001 if elected president, he told the Associated Press in an interview Friday.

The research is considered key by supporters in finding cures to diseases such as Alzheimer's. But President Bush imposed limits on federal research three years ago.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/states/wisconsin/7731542.htm

[Dookus]

1. Add this to the huge pile of issues...

he's absolutely correct on.

[wyldwolf]

3. Would love to see a Christopher Reeve endorsement...

stem cell research is his passion now.

[maddezmom]

7. it's your avatar!!

it would be a great endorsement. :)

[graelent]

2. I know Dean alson supports lifting the finding restrictions

I would think most Dem candidates are behind this.

[Name removed]

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[wyldwolf]

5. Then we know who you'll be voting for this year

...the superstition-based funding, scientific advancement hindering Bush boy.

[Name removed]

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[wyldwolf]

13. Stop the science bashing

"stopping man's meddling with nature in this unnatural way"

[Name removed]

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[Dookus]

16. Nice strawman....

the comparison to nazi experiments on the living to using stem cells is entirely inappropriate.

There really is no comparison, and suggesting there is strikes me as a bit outrageous.

[Dookus]

6. well...

as an atheist, I have to say I'm glad we don't live under canon law.

[maddezmom]

8. who are you supporting in the democratic primary contest? n/t

[wyldwolf]

10. sounds like a Bush person!

At least, that is how I've seen many Bush supporters describe stem cell research

"stopping man's meddling with nature in this unnatural way"

[LoneStarDem]

9. Damn

Yea, shouldn't be doin' no meddlin' wit Nature

Hell, chunk antibiotics and chemo in there too!

(Strangely enough, I actually do have problems with antibiotics and chemo, but thats for a dif. post. Research away!)

[underpants]

12. GOD also gave man the ability to cure and heal

Don't you use a band aid on a cut?

Aspirin?

W's stem cell "decision" was clearly a focus group driven tri-angulation to appease the fundamentalists and try to please the relatives and friends of those who suffer (or will suffer) from Alzheimers (anyone come to mind?), Parkingsons, ALS, CANCER.

The Dem nominee should remind all of those people in the above group what W failed to do.

Look this up

of the 60 lines that W said would still be available for research half are out of the country and ALL of them are contaminated with mouse DNA, research is limited by the later fact and all research is on hold until they can get access to the lines. Yes it is a terrible thing that creates the stem cells but if one life loss can save or improve the lives of so many then it is for the best.

Sort of like 500 deaths to prevent another 9/11 right?

[Name removed]

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[Dookus]

17. abortion is legal

and I will do all that I can to make sure it stays that way.

That being the case, I see nothing wrong with using the stem cells from already-aborted fetuses. I realize you find it distateful, much as many people find organ donation "distasteful". Tough noogies, as we say.

We should use the tools of science to improve mankind's lot. Stem cell research will help us do that.

[maddezmom]

18. also, people donate unused embryos from fertility clinics n/t

[Dookus]

19. good point...

In fact, if I recall, aren't THEY the main source of useful stem cells?

[maddezmom]

20. yes, from what I've read

and know to be true in my own life experience. :)

[underpants]

21. Fertility clinics? Isn't that "altering nature"?

Which is okay if you are a fundamentalist and just want to produce some more good Christian soldiers, even if you need the community and corporations to help take care of them. I guess it really does take a village.

Seriously thanks for that information. I didn't know/had forgotten that stem cells come from that source, I guess the drubbing of the media and spin sinks into cynical minds that should know better.

I remember Michael J. Fox saying that he couldn't understand how W could decide against this for political reasons let alone compassionate/humanitarian reasons. He said that the decision to continue to allow this research would resonate with everyone who had relatives (extended) or co-workers or who knew someone who was suffering/going through this would be grateful especially at the ballot box. Dems should definitely remind people of this (sorry to put a political spin on this) as it shows horrible decision making but reminds that large group of people about the chance missed.

[maddezmom]

22. I'm for stem cells research and fertility research

both issues, bush has a poor record on.

[underpants]

23. Of course....I am too

The swipe at the fundies was just that a swipe.

Yeah I think eliminating disease and ailments is a good thing as is helping people who want to have children.

[Bread and Circus]

25. Let's worry about millions of Africans needlessly dying from AIDS...

before we worry about the feelings of stem cells.

As a physician and a scientist as well as a spiritual
man, I believe god gave us the gift to reason and to heal,
we should use it, even if we are sometimes imperfect.

I respect the Catholic Faith, but the power of medicine
and Religion should be used to prevent and relieve suffering,
not for the aggrandizement of the Church.

As far as I can see, many politicians and Religious leaders are
guilty of gross neglect of this duty. Protecting those that
are here, that are living, that are suffering is paramount.

Theoretical tidings about the mortal souls of cells only detracts
us away from rendering the greater good.

[Quixote1818]

26. Bring down the wall!

"Priests dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight". Thomas Jefferson

[Auntie Bush]

27. Isn't taking ones heart out of their Body and

running the blood through machines etc etc unnatural? In other words all medical intervention is unnatural and against Gods will if you take that stance. So...not too good an argument. I think God would want man (since he gave them the ability) to use that technology to save millions of people. Ask anyone...ask me. We just buried my Mother in December who died of Alzheimer's and I'd give anything to find a cure.

[Torgo4]

28. Hate to Break It To ya!

Man has been meddling in G-d's amoral natural world since man first tried to practice medicine (as opposed to 'holy' men casting out demons)!

Just don't utilize any of this dirty secular medicine produce by scientific research. No teeth brushing, glasses, no splints, no aspirin---just pray!
Geeez the Church didn't even allow advance in mathematics during the wonderful "dark ages" 'cause zero and infinity are the domain of G-d!

Which explains why it took over 1000 years for the western world to develop calculus (Lebnitz, Newton).

Or...Why to you think we use "Arabic" numerals!

:think:

[Quixote1818]

24. Thomas Jefferson

Awesome for Clark! I know Clark is a big admirer of the Enlightenment and believes in reason over superstition when it comes to public debate. As Jefferson once said: "Priests dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight". This is why I absolutly love Clark because he is one smart guy! Go Clark keep the Jefferson legacy alive!

[rockymountaindem]

29. I agree with Clark

It scares me sometimes when I see people with awful diseases and injuries suffering so much. If there is any possibility that stem cells could help them, I'm all for it. I know that if I were sick or injured I would want any and all avenues to help me to be pursued.

George Bush and the anti-stem cell crowd say that they are for "the dignity of life". I ask them, how dignified is it to lay in bed with ALS or another such disease and waste away while there is a great oppertunity for healing out there?

Go Clark, Dean, and all the candidates who are really for human dignity!

[newyawker99]

30. Hi rockymountaindem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[rockymountaindem]

31. Thank you!

Thanks for the welcome. It really is nice... It's good to be here!