stem cell research

[SuzySunshine]

And see I guess I don't think it should have to be debated - just like I can donate my body to science when I die, or to other people for that matter - I should be able to do what I want with my unused embryos.

I'll stop now, really. :!

[Vanquisher]

Not Cheri, but here are my answers. I would donate eggs/embryos strictly for this purpose.

Where would you draw the line?

No line.

How long would you allow your embryo to gestate before feeling uncomfortable?

Um, wouldn't ever really be in me. As long as they wanted.

Would you sign over all "rights" to this embryo?

Yes.

What if they did something you found unethical to your embryo?

Like what? I can't think of anything.

What if you felt differently about it later?

Then I do, but I doubt it. What if we have already wasted thousands of lives in the years we have been stalled on this?

Where do your parental rights end?

When you donate the embryos or give permission for their disposal.

I know I sound all Dr. Monroe , but how do you contain it?

I don't understand what needs to be contained.

How would you protect your embryo from unethical, ambitious scientist?

Who is this scientist that you speak of? Clone, poke, prod, radiate, pluck. I really don't care what they do. I don't think a lot of them get NIH grants for funsies, so I would think that whatever problem was being tackled by the science on my "embryo" would be justified.

[SuzySunshine]

What Heidi said - seriously.

They are going to be TRASHED - THROWN AWAY - if they can make ONE iota of difference in the science world that would be SO much more worthwhile then them being thrown away. THAT would give them a legacy.

As far as drawing a line I would make sure they were donated to a lab that followed the proper NIH and other medical board research procedures but that would be all that I ask.

What I find interesting about this debate nationally is that the largest group against it are the catholics, of course according to them these embryos should never have existed because they don't agree with IVF. That is one thing I don't get - its in the vows a catholic ceremony, will you have and raise children in the ways of the church? Does that mean those poor souls that can't have their children naturally can't have them at all. I know - a whole other topic, but at interesting peice to the stem cell research debate.

I agree w/Heidi & Cheri. The only clarification I would add is w/regards to 'how far' the gestation should be allowed to go. It's my (very basic) understanding that the goal when testing with embryonic stem cells is to allow them to turn into another kind of cell (i.e., spinal cord cells, brain cells, etc.), not to allow them to gestate into another human being. I have no problem with this.

Should the embryos be allowed to gestate into a fetus and be manipulated? Of course not. But I also agree that this work would be done via NIH funding, and the monies won't be going to Dr. Frankenstein.

[SuzySunshine]

I guess I'm being overly dramatic.

No, Annie you're not - you're debating - that is what this forum is for.

[Sheherezade]

I guess I'm being overly dramatic.

I don't think so. And this is a field I worked in......did my dissertation work in....for many, many years. It isn't that hard to think up BAD experiments. I know we want to make this all about good uses for embryos. But, heads up folks. There are a lot of bad scientists out there - even with NIH funding . (In fact.....sidenote.....I was totally disturbed to here that 34% of the NIH staff scientists say they may have to resign based on the new regulations about conflict of interest . 34%?? )I don't think you'd have trouble finding bioethicists to say this is a slippery slope even if they DO support it. It's certainly not a no brainer. So.....Ladybug. No apology necessary here.

I'm in favor of very careful, heavily regulated research on embryonic stem cells. Emphasis on HEAVILY REGULATED. I think the British government came up with some good regulation policies for the work about 5-10 years back. I'm sure they have modified along the way. We need to do some serious thinking about regulation here beyond a total ban.