Slashdot is carrying an article about a paralysed woman who walks again courtesy of Adult stem cells.
This is a GREAT achievement, if it is scientifically verified. It also tends to open an avenue of discussion of embryonic stem cells, and government funding of research into the use of those cells.
I’ve made no bones on my moral objection to abortion, but I’ve also made no bones about my staunch belief of a woman’s right to choose. Those are irrelavent for this topic, however. The fact of the matter is that abortions happen. The child is gone, despite what you would prefer to have happen. Though the child may be dead, it doesn’t have to be in vain.
I’m not in favor if having abortions for the sake of stem cells, but we should utilized the resources we have available to us. It may not be the best thing to happen to a fetus, but its better than just throwing it away, allowing the extinguished life to help humanity in its own way.
I don’t think this is a radical view, and one that I think is difficult to argue against, though I’m sure some would. I think its a realistic view of a viable way to make light of a negative situation.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Justin // Nov 29, 2004 at 4:38 pm
Well put. I’m not sure where I stand on the issue of using legally aborted fetuses for their stem cells. I agree that we should use what we’ve got.
I think a good analogy is that of organ donors, or full body organ donors - the people who put a little heart on their drivers license giving the hospital permission to use their entire body. I have no qualms with my body being dissected after I physically die, and it’s parts being used. I see that as no different than the natural decomposition that would take place in a casket. In fact, I don’t see why anybody would care about their body after death, given what we know about the natural decomposition process.
But the fact remains that in this country we do require prior permission from that person or that person’s family. Maybe a consistent stance on that issue would follow through to the use of dead embryos.
2 David // Nov 29, 2004 at 4:51 pm
You make a great point there Justin. I too, am an organ donor. And, like you, figure, why not? Give someone else the chance to live, I’ve had my time, I’m dead anyway.
Then again, humans, and American’s in particular have never shown a particularly large amount of concern for utilizing our resources to the maximum…unless your talking about money, in which case everyone just wants more. One, not me, but one, might be inclined to construct an argument that human beings reluctance to allow the use of their bodies for the betterment of man after their own death, is a microcosm of society at large, particularly regarding environment conservation. Note, I said I’m not inclined to create the argument, but I might be inclined to support it if someone did.
3 christine // Nov 30, 2004 at 5:38 pm
Changing the subject slightly, to organ donation. Do you think people really DON’T want to do it - or just never remember to sign up, etc. What if the law was that you become an organ donor unless you sign paperwork stating that you don’t want to.
4 David // Nov 30, 2004 at 6:03 pm
I think it is a little of both. You know people that don’t want anything donated don’t you? I know you do, cause I know them too. I also agree that a law saying that unless you sign paperwork otherwise your organs will be given up for donation. We have all these useless, pain in the ass laws and enforcement in this country, it would be nice to have one that does something productive for humanity. Your dead anyway, so essentially, at that point, your body is garbage. That being the case…why not treat it like you would trash, once its in the can, its fair game.
5 Justin // Nov 30, 2004 at 6:38 pm
Yeah, lots of people have specific beliefs about the sacredness of their body even past death. From simple emotional ties to the vessel they’ve inhabited for years (or even considering it more “themselves” than a vessel) to stronger philosophical stances regarding human life, God’s creation, and the end of time… there are many closely held desires for a “proper burial”.
The Catholic Church actually forbids cremation in an effort to teach that the human body is not just trash after physical death, I just read a bit about that in the last section of this page on apologetics.
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