Looking for one reason not to use already frozen embryos for stem cell research

HomerJS

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
39,303
32,812
136
With Rush Limbaugh accusing Michael J. Fox of faking Parkinsons in an interview, I have a question about stem cell research.

In vitro fertilization has left almost 500,000 fertilized eggs for which almost all will never be adopted. Give me one reason not to allow federal funding on these embryos? They will either be destroyed or remain frozen until they are no longer viable for implantation.

Doesn't this take away the argument of creating life for research?
 

Termagant

Senior member
Mar 10, 2006
765
0
0
Experimenting on human embryos is Frankenscience and demonstrates no sanctity for human life. At least if they're thrown away no one can use them!

Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?

In-Vitro fertilization may in fact be against God's will. Infertile people may be being punished by God for reasons we do not understand. Also, lesbians can now have embryos implanted and that is a horrible affront to our culture of heterosexual families.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,028
4,652
126
Originally posted by: Termagant
Experimenting on human embryos is Frankenscience and demonstrates no sanctity for human life. At least if they're thrown away no one can use them!

Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?

In-Vitro fertilization may in fact be against God's will. Infertile people may be being punished by God for reasons we do not understand. Also, lesbians can now have embryos implanted and that is a horrible affront to our culture of heterosexual families.
Throwing the embroyos away is a better way to demonstrate no sanctity for human life.

It is God's will to give us the brain power and the free will so that we can pursue things such as finding cures to diseases. Are we to deny God's intentions and not use either?

Lesbians can have children even without in-vitro fertilization. This changes nothing.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Termagant
Experimenting on human embryos is Frankenscience and demonstrates no sanctity for human life. At least if they're thrown away no one can use them!

Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?

In-Vitro fertilization may in fact be against God's will. Infertile people may be being punished by God for reasons we do not understand. Also, lesbians can now have embryos implanted and that is a horrible affront to our culture of heterosexual families.

Every bit of that is just sick vile. Disgusting.

One good grace can be counted on, God will someday Judge you.
 

hellokeith

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2004
1,664
0
0
MJF wrote in his own book that he purposely did not take meds in order to appear more sick before a panel.

And for your reason, here's two:

1. adult stem cell research has a track record of success, while embryonic stem cell research has proven nothing
2. cordal blood can provide undifferentiated cells without the need for feritlized eggs

The fact that in vitro clinics have fertilized so many eggs is quite depressing, considering their charge to help couples conceive.

edit: speling ;)
 

Termagant

Senior member
Mar 10, 2006
765
0
0
OK I'll try some more....

Federal funds to big pharm companies doing embryonic stem cell research amounts to corporate welfare and has no place in our free market society.

The parents of those embryos may not fully comprehend the experimentation being performed on their potential children if they sign away the embryos for research. Better to err on the side of caution and sanctity of life and just throw them away.

Dehabilitating diseases add hardship to our lives and help build character. Embryonic stem cell research threatens to take that away from us.
 

Termagant

Senior member
Mar 10, 2006
765
0
0
Originally posted by: hellokeith
MJF wrote in his own book that he purposely did not take meds in order to appear more sick before a panel.

And for your reason, here's two:

1. adult stem cell research has a track record of success, while embryonic stem cell research has proven nothing
2. cordal blood can provide undifferentiated cells without the need for feritlized eggs

The fact that in vitro clinics have fertilized so many eggs is quite depressing, considering their charge to help couples conceive.

edit: speling ;)

If we have millions of embryonic stem cells en route to the dumpster, why not try working with them to see if we can get some success? :confused:
 

shadow9d9

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
8,132
2
0
Originally posted by: hellokeith
MJF wrote in his own book that he purposely did not take meds in order to appear more sick before a panel.

And for your reason, here's two:

1. adult stem cell research has a track record of success, while embryonic stem cell research has proven nothing
2. cordal blood can provide undifferentiated cells without the need for feritlized eggs

The fact that in vitro clinics have fertilized so many eggs is quite depressing, considering their charge to help couples conceive.

edit: speling ;)


Yes, MJF was demonstrating what the illness does without medication... this is bad how?

Again, what state do you live in? I am just curious where you come from. Kentucky, louisiana, kansas, South Dakota, Montana?
 

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: Termagant
Experimenting on human embryos is Frankenscience and demonstrates no sanctity for human life. At least if they're thrown away no one can use them!

Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?

In-Vitro fertilization may in fact be against God's will. Infertile people may be being punished by God for reasons we do not understand. Also, lesbians can now have embryos implanted and that is a horrible affront to our culture of heterosexual families.

This is foolish drival. You can't truely believe that it is God's will that we get diseases? We were "given" the brians we have (if you don't believe in evolution) and we have a DUTY to use them to better the world around us. People who have the power to make a difference and choose to stand by and do nothing will someday have to answer for their indifference.

It seems like a weak willed (and perhaps weak minded) individual would assume that all bad things happen because god wants it to or is punishing them. If that is true then YOUR God if FVCKED up and I'm glad I don't believe in him.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: Termagant
OK I'll try some more....

Federal funds to big pharm companies doing embryonic stem cell research amounts to corporate welfare and has no place in our free market society.

The parents of those embryos may not fully comprehend the experimentation being performed on their potential children if they sign away the embryos for research. Better to err on the side of caution and sanctity of life and just throw them away.

Dehabilitating diseases add hardship to our lives and help build character. Embryonic stem cell research threatens to take that away from us.

A quick Google search showed a few companies currently doing stem cell research in the US, none of which were a major pharmaceutical company. One article mentioned how a couple of pharmaceutical companies have started to entertain the idea but have no significant stake in the research.

If they are opting not to have the embryo implanted, how can it be a potential child?

You may opt not to have stem cell therapy for any personal reason, but there is no reason you should feel the need to impose your convictions on others. Would you want stem cell therapy forced on you by those who felt it enriched your life? Surely not. The freedom for either party to choose is the best option.
 

shadow9d9

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
8,132
2
0
Originally posted by: Termagant
OK I'll try some more....

Federal funds to big pharm companies doing embryonic stem cell research amounts to corporate welfare and has no place in our free market society.

The parents of those embryos may not fully comprehend the experimentation being performed on their potential children if they sign away the embryos for research. Better to err on the side of caution and sanctity of life and just throw them away.

Dehabilitating diseases add hardship to our lives and help build character. Embryonic stem cell research threatens to take that away from us.


They won't be potential children if they are thrown away.

If you want to talk about potential children, we might as well indict people for a couple of thousand murder counts when one female is killed.. all those eggs are potential children... millions if a man is murdered, each sperm is potential children. If a man mastrubates or ejaculates and it is not used in an attempt to make children, they should also be held accountable... all those potential children.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
As I understand it, aren't the embryos to be used for this experimentation ones that would be discarded anyway?


Originally posted by: Termagant
Experimenting on human embryos is Frankenscience and demonstrates no sanctity for human life. At least if they're thrown away no one can use them!
So simply discarding an embryo is perfectly ok then? God doesn't get pissed off if one of his amazing creatings is tossed in the trash can without a proper Christian funeral? Wouldn't he rather see what would otherwise become refuse be used to preserve other sacred lives?


Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?
Let me guess, you're someone who believes that medical science is evil because it hinders God's will and his divine plan?


In-Vitro fertilization may in fact be against God's will. Infertile people may be being punished by God for reasons we do not understand. Also, lesbians can now have embryos implanted and that is a horrible affront to our culture of heterosexual families.
I mirror the first part of these sentiments, in only the vaguest sense. If you're infertile, there's something about your genes that nature doesn't want continued. Nature's trying to bump you out of the gene pool so take the hint and adopt.
As to the lesbians having babies, OMG, no! Society is collapsing because of loving parents wanting to have children!!!!


Either that, or else Termagant has simply failed to properly trip my sarcasm detector.
 

shadow9d9

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
8,132
2
0
Originally posted by: hellokeith
Originally posted by: shadow9d9
Hellokeith is from Texas... gotcha.

Uh, are you going to stalk me or something? :shocked:


It helps to understand the other person.. for example, I have never met a person that believes as people such as you, pabster, and profjon.

Knowing that you are from Texas helps a bit... him from Iowa helps a TON... etc.

How many people live in your town? 1000? 100?
 

Termagant

Senior member
Mar 10, 2006
765
0
0
The crux of President Bush's argument is that as part of America's Culture of Life, the Sanctity of Life needs to be protected. Embryos are fertilized eggs, not just eggs or sperm, and hence can become children. There are scientific efforts to use adult stem cells as well as stem cells from umbilical cords. The fact that embryos are thrown away by fertility clinics is bad enough. We should not use public funds to add insult in injury and tinker with those potential human lives and turn them into laboratory fodder. It is very much like organ harvesting innocent babies.

There is no law against conducting this morally-questionable science using private money.
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
13,732
11,354
136
If they're being destroyed anyway, they should be used for some good other than to fill up a trash bag.
 

Termagant

Senior member
Mar 10, 2006
765
0
0
Originally posted by: Pens1566
If they're being destroyed anyway, they should be used for some good other than to fill up a trash bag.

And they can, just not with public funding.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: Termagant
Originally posted by: Pens1566
If they're being destroyed anyway, they should be used for some good other than to fill up a trash bag.

And they can, just not with public funding.

Why not? Think of how many lives could be saved and how much suffering could be eased if stem cell research leads to effective medical treatments? Would that not support the sanctity and culture of life this nation is 'supposed to protect.'
 

oldman420

Platinum Member
May 22, 2004
2,179
0
0
I personally feel that the creation of said embryos in the first place is an affront to god as it were. with the number of homeless orphans in this world it is the epitome of selfishness to force nature by creating numerous embryos instead of adopting the poor humans that REALLY need the help. that said does it really matter what we do with the "left over" embryos? The dirty deed has already been done IMHO.
 

blackllotus

Golden Member
May 30, 2005
1,875
0
0
Originally posted by: Termagant
Many diseases may be afflicted on people by God for reasons we do not understand. Who are we to dispute God's will?

Maybe not everyone agrees that God is against stem cell research or maybe not everyone agrees that there is a God. Who are we to force our religious beliefs on others?
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,736
6,759
126
Originally posted by: oldman420
I personally feel that the creation of said embryos in the first place is an affront to god as it were. with the number of homeless orphans in this world it is the epitome of selfishness to force nature by creating numerous embryos instead of adopting the poor humans that REALLY need the help. that said does it really matter what we do with the "left over" embryos? The dirty deed has already been done IMHO.

So true. All couples should be steralized until such time as all children find good homes. ;)

I think if God had wanted us to mess with the fundamental biology of life to help people he would have created us with brains enough to conduct medical research.
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
13,732
11,354
136
If god didn't want us to use stem cell research, why would he have given us the scientific ability to do so????