Not in His Lifetime

Probably the most frustrating argument in opposition to embryonic stem cell research is the "Not in His Lifetime" argument. This has been leveled at Michael J. Fox in recent years for his selfish, attention-grabbing, baby killing attack on Bush's opposition to the potentially life-saving research. Ahhh, and therein lies another argument...potentially. The other of course is that "we can do all the research we want to on adult stem cells". But we'll get to these momentarily. The lastest round of the debate comes on the heels of the discovery of placental stem cells.

According to Phil Gingrey, the obstetrician-turned-Georgia Representative, "We don't have to split the nation on this if we've got an alternative." We wouldn't have to if Evangelical, holier-than-thou, Bible thumping Christians like Bush had not started blurring the line between Church and State. Sen. Brownback (from the great bigot state of Kansas) and Bush must be jacking each other off with excitement, that their devotion to blocking beneficial research in the name of the Lord and their own moral high ground has finally paid off. They have bought enough time to continue delaying the research. Maybe they should make the call to the millions of people with Lou Gehrig's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and the dozen other congenital and non-congenital problems to tell them that they shouldn't worry...the government has saved cell masses with no family, no thoughts, no feelings, and no memories. Oh and sir, someday we'll do something about the thousands of embryos thrown away each day.

How can people like Gingrey, Sen. Brownback, and Bush look into those cameras, talk into those recorders, and not see the faces looking longingly for a cure? They sure as hell can see the embryos' faces. Meanwhile we wait. Initial research is inconclusive as to the potency of these placental stem cells. But we know for a fact that embryos have some potential, but apparently an unknown level of potential is not enough.

Damn it! I forgot that we can do anything we want with adult stem cells. Of course, that would fix the problem if adult stem cells were half as potent as embryonic. But if you can't get your head around the idea of saving people with spinal cord injuries (Reeve) or Parkinson's (Fox), then for God's sake at least support it to prevent the spread of this.

Here's the bottom line...government has no place deciding scientific and moral issues, especially when the benefits (i.e. savings thousands if not millions of lives) so dramatically outweigh the costs (i.e. the destruction of cell masses) or alternative benefits (i.e. the complete development of those cells into human beings (how many snowflake children do you know?)). This is a major step across that so-called Church-State boundary. If scientists (true scientists and not the Evangelical type) agree that embryonic stem cell research holds the keys to unlocking decades-old mysteries, then what right does the government have to intervene and delay in the hope that something better might come along? This is not even a gray issue. Hundreds of babies are not being born each day from once-frozen embryos. If the government wants to protect life, then why not start by saving the hundreds who die each day from "incurable" diseases and ailments? If you would like to read the administration's latest remarks on this issue click here.