David Stout and Gardiner Harris posted an article in The New York Times titled "Obama Reversing Stem Cell Limits Imposed by Bush." President Obama will announce Monday that he is reversing Bush administration limits on federal financing for embryonic stem cell research as part of a pledge to separate science and politics. Obama has spoke out in favor of stem cell research while he was running for president so his intention to to undo what Bush had placed was not surprising.
Mr. Obama’s announcement is not likely to lead to any immediate change in government policy, since it may take many months for the National Institutes on Health to develop new guidelines for research. Many scientists believe that they may one day be able to provide tissues to replace worn-out organs or nonfunctioning cells and offer powerful new treatments for diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and other diseases. Some researchers say the stem cells may even be used someday to treat catastrophic injuries like damage to the spinal cord.
Many people have a moral problem with embryonic stem cell research because creation of the cells means destruction of human embryos. A lot of people are wondering whether Obama would seek to undo the Bush-era restrictions through legislation or by executive order. Many of the people that are opposed to the research say the embryos are nothing less than tiny human beings, with souls, and that destroying them is just like murder.
I think there are both good and bad things about stem cell research. If it helps find cures for diebetes, heart disease, and other diseases then I think it is a very good thing to do. Diebetes and heart disease run in my family so this is very personal to me. I do understand why people are opposed to it though. They think it killing embyos, potential life forms. If I had to pick a side, I would want more stem cell research done because it really hits home for me.
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I agree with you, I would like to see more research. I know that this could help save many lives and in the future my children may need it, my grandchildren may need it or my husband. I am glad that Obama is going to put a limit to what they do. I agree that there needs to be some limitations yet flexiblity too. Obama has a mess to clean up after Bush so we will see. I support him all the way!
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. This is a very tough issue but i dont see how we can look at someone paralyzed in a wheelchair or someone with Parkinson's disease and tell them, there may be a way to cure you but were not going to do it. So i think we have to do the research.
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