Stem cell research.

garinda · 18-07-2006, 23:11

Apparently even though the majority of people in the U.S.A. support research into stem cell experiments and the hopefully resulting cures that could be found for lots of genetic and other disabilitating illnesses, President Bush is to use his veto in Congress to prohibit any future experiments.

Is that him using his religious beliefs for the good of humanity of an abuse of democracy?

I for one support all ethically monitered research and am very hopeful that they'll find a cure for Parkinson's Disease before it affects my life too irreversiby. Selfish maybe, but all kinds of terrible illnesses besides my own could perhaps be totally cured, such as diabetes, with the right research and luck.

My dear old Ma told me that for the first time she stuck two fingers up at the telly when it was announced on the news this morning.

Cheers Mum. x

harwood red · 18-07-2006, 23:15

What a load of old tosh... I bet Bush doesn't even know what is involved in stem cell research.... I'm with your mum on this one

garinda · 18-07-2006, 23:21

[quote=harwood red]What a load of old tosh... I bet Bush doesn't even know what is involved in stem cell research./quote]

Listening to his overheard exchange with Blair yesterday, on the microphone they thought was off and his grasp of politics in the Middle East, I don't doubt it.

A reformed alcholic who found Jesus...God help us.

mani · 19-07-2006, 00:44

Well thank god not all of USA's politicians are retarded like the president

The US Senate has approved a controversial bill to expand embryonic stem cell research, which President George W Bush has promised to veto.

The measure passed by 63 votes to 37, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.

Opinion polls suggest most Americans back the research, which scientists hope will lead to cures for illnesses like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

But Mr Bush has consistently opposed embryonic research on moral grounds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5193216.stm

steeljack · 19-07-2006, 01:51

Hopefully research is being carried out in other countries , I also understand some American Bio-tech companies have set up research labs and joint ventures off-shore .

Madhatter · 19-07-2006, 02:05

He's 100% against abortion though too isn't he?

mani · 19-07-2006, 02:56

yeah - he's tryna push judges that wud possibly overturn the wade vs roe ruling

but this is coming from a president that says he's doin god's work

u know whats frightening to think - just like jesus 2000 yrs ago said he was doin gods work - do u think in 2000 yrs there'll b a religion called bushianty

lettie · 19-07-2006, 07:25

There are other ways of procuring stem cells other than from embryos. We sometimes have to collect them from newborn umbilical cord blood if the mother wishes us to do so. That means we take the blood from the placenta after delivery of the baby. Stem cells can be harvested in this way, totally safe for baby and ethical.

garinda · 19-07-2006, 07:53

I remember you've explained this to me before Lettie.

Can't you find time to pop over to America and explain it to George Dubbya?

lettie · 19-07-2006, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I remember you've explained this to me before Lettie.

Can't you find time to pop over to America and explain it to George Dubbya?

I'd love to hun, but I think it may be too simple for him to understand..

Gayle · 19-07-2006, 11:40

I watched a programme about Christopher Reeve a short time before his death. He was very vocal about the need for stem cell research as he believed it would one day find a cure for his disability.

As long as the research is ethical then it's surely got to be a good thing.

entwisi · 19-07-2006, 12:01

So let me play a little devils advocate here,

If we had a disese that we can get a cure for using stem cell research.

If using ethical methods it would take 50 years and in that time 20K people would die or by using embryo/'unethical' methods we could cut that time to 5 years and save 18K more people which would you support?

I would find it very hard to justify an 'ethical' stance to those 18K people.

magily · 19-07-2006, 12:04

Can you as an expectant mother in Britain make the choice to have your baby's cord blood banked? I have several friends who did this just in case any of their kids develop cancer so that they can use the cells from the cord blood.

Debbie J · 19-07-2006, 13:36

I think Bush needs injecting with a brain. Obviously no one in his family are unlucky enough to have Parkinsons or other illness yet. Maybe if they did (God forbid) he would then change his mind. It isn't cloning or designer babies it's giving sufferers the chance of a normal life!

mani · 19-07-2006, 13:56

entwisi - whats unethical about gettin stem cells from an umbilical cord?