Stem cell research

It drives me crazy when the media talks about 'stem cell research'. What they usually are talking about is EMBRYONIC stem cell research, but apparently they think that small, distinguishing factor is insignificant.

Never mind the fact that embryonic stem cell research has failed utterly to provide ANY cure or relief from disease, and that stem cell research using adult stem cells or umbilical cord stem cells has led to the treatment of over 65 ailments. {Update- apparently the count is up to 72 now!}

(Click the Read More to see the rest of the rant!)

One has to wonder WHY the big push for more leeway and funding of embryonic stem cell research? Well, I know my answer to that, but we'll get to that in a bit.

First, to bring you up to speed on what I've written about this in the past, here's a couple of my Live Journal entries on stem cells-

Adult Stem Cell Update
Adult Stem Cell Update...Again!

I want to steer this away from a pro-life/abortion argument for a minute. Looking strictly at the Federal Government and the money they have to spend on science research, which is a better use of our tax dollars-- embryonic stem cell research which has recently created sperm cells from mice embryos that produced baby mice with several disorders and premature death, or blood cord and adult stem cell research which is already treating conditions ranging from leukemia and cerebral palsy, to birth-related brain damage, heart damage and paralysis from spinal cord injury.

I'll put my money on the research that's already showing results, thank you very much.

So why is it that far and away the majority of articles in support of adult and blood cord stem cell research are adamant pro-life groups? Well, maybe because we're the only ones who see an ethical and moral problem with embryonic stem cell research and want to encourage other lines of study. Maybe it's because the pro-abortion forces are so worried about what would happen to their industry if embryos are given ANY protection under the law that they HAVE to support this futile line of research.

There's a number of bills coming before the Senate today, and now is the time to speak up on this issue.

The Wall Street Journal had a piece about this today, and gives a good overview, looking briefly at how even among Republicans, these are not cut and dry issues.

And if you want to know more about the specifics,the Susan B Anthony List has specifics on these bills and others coming up before Congress soon.

I probably haven't told you anything you didn't already know here, but I'm going to keep on telling the GOOD news about adult stem cells, and fighting the use of MY tax money for worthless research just so that the abortion industry can control the debate over when life begins. Because that's what it comes down to for me. Good applications of research vs. worthless science and propaganda.

Tags-Stem Cell Debate