By John Bebow - November 8, 2007
California is spending $3 billion on stem cell research. Connecticut is spending $100 million program. New Jersey is spending $270 million and voters there this week narrowly rejected the idea of borrowing $450 million more for stem cell research.
While other states invest in what many experts see as a long-term economic windfall from stem cell-related development, in Michigan's state capitol, we're debating the idea on religious grounds.
That, Phil Power writes this week, is akin to the 1925 Scopes Monkey trial or the 17th Century debate over whether the earth revolved around the sun.
7 Comments
If someone wants to learn more about embryonic stem cells and the debate in Michigan, you can visit http://www.stemcellresearchformichigan.com. It's the site of Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures.
In today's world, the idea of not pursuing stem cell research seems like a contradiction of society's pursuit of living healthier and longer. Michigan, wake up. You're missing a chance to make a difference for our generation and those to come!!
This state should OPPOSE NOTHING that is not outright illegal that would bring the New World's industries to it.
Is there a greater moral question than, How do we feed and shelter our people?
Keep your religiosity in your churches and bring your political sensibilites to your desks.
I think that Michigan needs to support stem cell research. The benefits that will come from it will out-weigh offending the religious people of our state.
There are many reasons why embryonic stem cell research should not be part of government funded research:
1) It is not Constitutionally mandated, and thus it is not required, nor essential to operating our State infrastructure.
2) While it is recongnized that it is opposed largely on religious grounds, taking tax money at the end of a gun barrel to fund activity contrary to some religious beliefs, is in fact 'establishment of state religion'. You are using the power of the state, to suppress religious belief and freedom.
3) There no scientific consensus that stem cell research will lead to any cure for any disease. And, there is consensus that stem cell research from adults is sufficient for the purposes of research.
4) There is no economic expectation that any investment in stem cell research will have any positive effect on Michigan's economy. The fact that other states are investing, does not mean Michigan should blindly follow the blind. The catch all cure postulates for stem cell research, are no different than the promises of nuclear power of the 1950's freeing the world from energy shortfalls. It is the popular science of the day, not the science of established results.
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I see the argument putting embryonic stem cell reseach in contradiction to religious belief, as painting those opposed as zealots and ignorant. Nothing could be futher from the truth. You can not understand the moral opposition to embryonic stem cell research, unless you are open minded enough to listen to the philosophy of those opposed, and treat their opinion with the same respect as you require of the favorable argument. No one has said 'the world is flat', or referred to 'monkey trials'. That is name calling.
The Centers article in this regard, is extremely disrespectful of highly intelligent fellow citizens, who are scientifically educated, that have valid moral and Constitution arguments against public funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
The Center should appologize for lowering the standard of debate to debasing the opposition. That type of posture shows who is truely without substance in their position.
John Hargenrader
The government has no business funding medical research. That the vocal opposition to stem cell research is religion oriented, does not mean that the research is proper.
Adult Stem Cell Research is much more promising than embryonic stem cell research. Why can't those results be published and reported more by the media? They seem to want to justify using embryonic stem cells for ulterior motives (abortion).
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