We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane Part 2

The science world is buzzing today with a wide variety of discoveries. While the decision to revoke Pluto’s 9th planet status may intrigue some a more thrilling and infinitely more relevant discovery concerns stem cell research.


Earlier this month President Bush vetoed a stem cell research bill which had passed the Republican controlled House and Senate. While I was disappointed by this veto, as discussed here, I could understand the position taken by those who oppose the research. Now biologists have developed a technique for establishing colonies of human embryonic stem cells from an early human embryo without destroying it. It would seem this breakthrough would clear the way for new legislation but it looks as though it had little effect on longstanding objections of the White House and some Congressional leaders.

The new technique would be performed on a two-day-old embryo, after the fertilized egg has divided into eight cells, known as blastomeres. In fertility clinics, where the embryo is available outside the woman in the normal course of in vitro fertilization, one of these blastomeres can be removed for diagnostic tests, like for Down syndrome.
The embryo, now with seven cells, can be implanted in the woman if no defect is found. Many such embryos have grown into apparently healthy babies over the 10 years or so the diagnostic tests have been used.

According to Dr. Robert Lanza, vice president of Advanced Cell Technology, “There is no rational reason left to oppose this research.” It seems logical that when the “one life for another” argument no longer is valid it is time to accept the facts and move on. Unfortunately, Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, suggested that the new procedure would not satisfy the objections of Mr. Bush. She said, “Any use of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical questions. This technique does not resolve those concerns.”
A spokesman for Senator Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas and a prominent opponent of federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, said “You are creating a twin and then killing that twin.” This kind of rhetoric is not only frustrating the progress of science but is also patently false. However, there is no evidence that a single blastomere could develop into a human.

Sadly, it seems as though politics have again impeded good policy and common sense. When the primary reason for rejecting the research is solved, it should be a time of celebration and agreement, instead politicians fall back on even more faulty reasoning to maintain their “conservative” persona. Like so many issues today it is no longer about representing a constituency, rather every day politicians are more and more willing to bow to special interest groups with a disturbing lack of ethical standards.

This research could save the lives of thousands of people, it no longer destroys the embryo and with funding will become safer and more efficient. Hopefully those opposed will think of those who need the treatment rather than the nonexistent “twins” and figure out a way to get some legislation passed.