Is it ethical or unethical?

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/94017/detail/

Embryonic Stem cells Derived from embryos the

develop from fertilized human embryos

Usually from blastocyte (about 150 cells) between four and five days old

Adult Stem cells “Undifferentiated “cells in

tissue or organ that have the potential to renew and become specialized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eYyT_R5Br0&feature=related

President Bush:    ” I strongly oppose human cloning, as

most Americans do…..Even the most noble ends do not justify any means….I also believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator.  I worry about a culture that devalues life, and believe as your President I have an important obligation to foster and encourage respect for life in America and throughout the world.  And while we're all hopeful about the potential of this research, no one can be certain that the science will live up to the hope it has generated.” (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html)

VIDEO: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/07/18/snow-murder/

Pope Benedict XVI:

“The resistance the church shows toward embryonic stem-cell research is because the destruction of human embryos to harvest stem cells is "not only devoid of the light of God but is also devoid of humanity" and "does not truly serve humanity," the pope said.

(http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605317.htm)

 

David Pinto, Ph.D, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

“As for my opinion, I guess my strongest feeling is that I don’t like how political the science has become.   I personally feel that there are some area’s of research that should be regulated (e.g., human cloning) but those kind of decisions should be made by scientists or at least science ethicists – who have studied the issue and know the facts - not politicians going on gut feelings.  On the other hand, I think the restrictions have ironically pushed scientists to do some cool and clever experiments they might not have tried otherwise.  For instance, my understanding is that we can now (or nearly) harvest stem cells from adult tissue rather than from embryos.  The techniques were worked out specifically to find a way to study stem cells that was palatable to

politicians.”

James Thomson, Ph.D, University of Wisconsin Stem Cell and Regenerative Center

• “It changes everything in that these are not cells derived from embryos anymore.”

• (Scientist who pioneered on stem cells and also helped in the discovery of the adult stem cells could act as embryonic stem cells)

Michael J. Fox:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMliHkTDHaE

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Canada: While similar concerns were certainly in evidence within Canada, the level of adamant opposition was not nearly as high. Fewer people made specific reference to their religious views when discussing the issue, people were taking a more

pragmatic view of ethics of this kind of research or not. China: “China is gaining popularity among a new breed of travelers: patients with

incurable conditions who are visiting the country to receive experimental stem-cell treatments not offered in the United States. “(http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88123868)

Australia: “It is illegal in Australia to conduct any type of research on embryos that are conceived naturally. ES cells are taken from embryos that come from eggs fertilised in an IVF (in vitro fertilisation) clinic. Only embryos not required for implantation are used. They are donated for research purposes only with informed consent from the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilised within a woman’s body, and embryos are not created specifically for research purposes” (http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/human/scembyonic.cfm)

What is human? What is alive? – Sammy storyThe word cloning. Does it have a negative

connotation? (Movie: The Island)Separation of Church and State