Stem cell research

I think issues of embryonic stem cell research is health fraud related because there appears to be a tendancy to let emotionally charged buzzwords and predetermined opinions of issues related to the matter cloud judgement and understanding, before really looking at the science and it's potential for impact on real life. More effort is made over arguing or placating issues of "life" and "murder" than educating about what the next steps of the research will really be.

It is nice to be reminded that embryos are not the only source for stem cells. However, it appears scientifically that the future and potential of embryonic stem cell research far exceeds that of any other source.

The political forum of embryonic stem cell research I think is best presented here: http://www.bioethics.gov/topics/stemcells_index.html

I have a separate paper that presents the science behind ES cell research, the "religious right" argument for banning it, the argument for supporting it (why the Governator supports it), and President Bush's compromise. Following the completion of that paper I wrote the observation pasted below about the ethics and morals of ES research, that I feel is tragically missed in the debates.

Alternately, the ethical/moral issue can be pushed completely aside for the issue of Federal tax dollars used in the research. Seems many loose sight that it's not a stem cell research ban, it's a tax funding for research ban. The cost is HUGE, and comes without any foreseeable real and practicle return on investment. Thus, only entities like the US government can afford to accept the risk.

We need to look at all of the science, the particulars over any proposed immediate and long-term research. We need to understand exactly what will be being done in the research, and for what purpose. Then make the qualified decisions.