Stem Cell Research

Okay, I admit it. I have never really read closely any information about stem cell research. It is just one of those issues I started agreeing with since it makes sense on a gut level, and it is firmly planted into the liberal agenda.

I am often hesitant to pour myself into really understanding it. Coming up with truly educated opinions about things like this just takes up too much brain space in my head sometimes. However, I am starting to think it is something I need to think more about, because without doing any reading on the matter, my opinion is being swayed by sound bites. I hear little bits of political debates, brief mentions on NPR, and even a quick little Rush Limbaugh rant gets stuck in my head. (Yes. I listen to Rush Limbaugh approximately 3-4 times per week. I have no idea why.)

These sound bites were starting to effect me, and while I still rated myself in favor of stem cell research, I did start to question the long term implications of such research. I started having Star Wars visions of the clone army planet from Episode 2:Attack of the Clones (you know, the rainy planet where they build massive armies using clones of Bobo Fett). That image freaks me out because it seems almost possible.

In the interest of making a somewhat informed opinion, one not based on sound bites or movie clips, I decided to read the article Stem Cell Research Offers Hope by Molly Dehaas Walsh in this Summer Issue of UU World the other morning. (nothing like looking for an unbiased source, right?)

Rush Limbaugh is pretty big on pushing adult stem cell research in lieu of embryonic stem cell research. Dehaas explains the difference by saying that embryonic stem cells are capable of producing more types of tissue that adult stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means that they have the potential to be stimulated into any tissue type. They also have the ability to replicate indefinitely in culture and to provide an unlimited supply of cells.

I absolutely appreciate the value for healing that stem cells have shown, and am amazed at the possibilities being claimed to us by modern medicine. It occurs to me that any skepticism I have comes not from a moral issue with the process, but with a general distrust of the modern medical industry that would spearhead, or more accurately follow, this research. I guess it all comes back to my clone planet anxieties.

But even writing these words, and thinking about all of the medical "goods" gone "bad" examples that are the result of insatiable, industrial greed, it sounds ridiculous. We should not avoid doing something noble simply because there is a potential for abuse as the science develops. The example of industrial greed is just one more reason why voices of reason are needed to be the tempering force of the ethics and morals in human development. As Walsh said in her article, "We cannot allow other voices to claim the moral and ethical high ground unchallenged."

So sure, I solidified my own gut opinion by reading a decidedly liberal publication, but at least I finally read an entire article on the subject. What are your thoughts on the issue?