A person, or not a person: that is the question.

Stem cell research is a heated topic that has been brought into the spotlight by celebrities such as Michael J Fox. Recently President Obama has forged the way for further research by passing an executive order allowing scientific research with stem cells. Those for stem cell research say they could cure numerous diseases and disorders. Those opposed say that it is murder and immoral. Where do I stand on the issue? Well, since I personally could benefit from stem cells, and knowing that millions who suffer from crippling diseases such as Parkinson’s could also greatly benefit from this, it is hard for me to see how this is a bad thing.

Stem cells are cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and give rise to specialized cells. They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body and in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. They can regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues in organs.

The most controversial kind of stem cell is the embryonic stem cell. These are human embryos grown in a laboratory. They were created for in vitro fertilization and when they were no longer needed, instead of being thrown away they were donated for research with the informed consent of the donor. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body, despite what the conservative opposition claims.

Stem cells are important for living organisms for many reasons. In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and brain, stem cells generate replacements for cells that are lost through normal wear and tear, injury, or disease. Stem cells offer new potentials for treating diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

A potential application of stem cells is making cells and tissues for medical therapies. Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace those that are diseased or destroyed. Unfortunately, the number of people needing a transplant far exceeds the number of organs available for transplantation. Stem cells offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat many diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, burns, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Adult stem cells are already being used to treat human diseases such leukemia, lymphoma, and various blood or autoimmune disorders.

Those opposed to stem cell research say it is immoral and murder. Well, the end that scientists hope to achieve is the relief of human suffering. How is that immoral? The main controversy has to do with the consumption of DONATED embryos. The whole issue here is whether or not a donated embryo which will never see the inside of a uterus should be considered a person. Those opposed to stem cell research say it is a crime to test embryos. I say it is a crime to let people suffering from various conditions and diseases who could greatly benefit from stem cells continue to suffer due to their non fact based beliefs.

"non gay hater"

In the blog Politics: A Perfect Destruction there is a post on gay marriage that I don't entirely agree with. Toohey made it clear that he "is not a gay hater" yet he doesn't think they should have the same legal rights as the rest of us. I do agree with the argument that if someone is recognized as married in one state they should be in the rest of the country. What I don't agree with is that we should just be quiet and obey/respect a document that is over 200 years old. (Need I remind you that if we followed those orders all the time African Americans would still be enslaved, women wouldn't be allowed to vote, and many other historical chains would still be placed on society.)
Those opposed to gay marriage claim that marriage needs to be protected, protected from whom? Giving same sex couples the legal right to marry doesn't take anything away from marriage or make marriage between a man and woman less legal. Again, this is not a religious issue, but it has become one to those who believe that homosexuality is a sin. People claim the bible says that it's wrong, therefore it is wrong. Well, in the bible Jesus says nothing about same-sex behavior, and only six of the Bible's one million verses refer to homosexuality as it's known today. Historically people's misinterpretation of the Bible has led to bloodshed. Some examples would be slavery; persecuting Jews and other non-Christian people of faith;witch hunts;supporting Hitler's Third Reich and the Holocaust;opposing medical science;condemning interracial marriage, so on and so forth. Another point is that there are several verses in the Bible that we do not follow, like if a bride is not a virgin she should be stoned; if a married person has sex with someone elses spouse, the Bible commands that both adulterers be stoned to death; need I go on?
I don't think you can say you love a community of people, but think it's ok for them to be denied their basic rights as American citizens. You don't have to agree with the lifestyle, but you should see that certain people are being discriminated against. Until those opposed can look past their personal prejudices there will be no justice for the gay and lesbian community.