Should stem cell research be encouraged? (funded by taxes)?
814963
Yes.  Governments fund all sorts of medical research projects as it is, so why not allow stem cell research to be a part of that?   \n\nIf you say "no" to stem cell research funded by governments because of tax money being spent as the issue (and not an objection because of moral grounds), then you should just say "no" to all research medical research by governments.  In this case, the issue appears to be that taxes should not be used for government funded medical research.  I think it extremely short-sighted.
899552
Hello, and what an interesting question.  \n\nMy answer is not about cloning humans, but rather cloning cells from humans that have the potential to turn into specialized cells.\n\nCorporate support of cloning human cells (like all Pharmaceutical companies supporting drug development) would only result in treating "end stage" support for diseases. \n\nThis is not a good thing.  Here is the reason: \n\nCorporate support generally does not advocate a fundamental understanding of how the disease begins, and it would not support understanding how to prevent the disease. \n\nThe best reason to support human cloning, in my opinion, is to understand disease and to prevent it. This has nothing to do with profits. \n\nIf Corporate companies supported preventative medicine, then they would make small profits in the long run.  \n\nBut when they support "end stage" therapies, their profit potential is limitless.\n\nNowadays Corporate profits can be hidden in money driven governmental policies (I live in the USA), by making human cell cloning sound wonderful and very humanitarian (and costly).  \n\nBut the real point is missed by consumers (who pay taxes which would offset tax benefits given to corporations anyways). \n\nThe real point in human cloning should be in preventing the disease in the first place.  And that is the real potential in human cloning of cells.  \n\nMaybe there are some humanitarians and good doers out there that really see this potential, and when you find them, they probably have nothing to do with corporate industry (or politicians or universities).  \n\nMy suspicion is that the humanitarians are being silenced throughout this money making frenzy for human cell cloning.  \n\nAs this happens, a shift towards "end stage" treatment will be emphasized, and understanding of the biology behind the disease will be suppressed (or, worse, even patented).  \n\nThis philosophy of treating diseases (as opposed to preventing them or even curing them) does have its advantages.  \n\nFirst, you won't have to change your lifestyle.  \n\nSecond, if you work in the field (as I do) then you can be assured of a long career supported by government and corporate entities and monies.  \n\nIt was fun thinking of our future.  I hope I helped you out!
501031
I really believe there is but they are not saying for one   simple reason. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$\nImagine all the researchers without a job,hospitals without cancer patients,insurance companies not making money from everyone involved.All those people loose the all mighty dollar !
1177955
Yes they can.  I believe that parent involvment should be encouraged, but at the same time limited in how much they are allowed to do.  If the program is well thought out and the parents are given specific jobs to do they can be a great asset.
203156
As long as it is a program to fall back on.  I don't believe it should be a long-term program, unless someone is truly disabled.  We all have emergencies, and it is nice when there is something there to keep your kids from starving until you can get back on your feet.  I don't want to pay taxes to support someone who won't work.  If I am to pay taxes, I want that money to be able to help me should I have a crisis.
500314
Stem cell research and cloning are still "blockbusters", but specific antibody research, gene therapy and advanced imaging techniques (fret, for example) are hot too.\n\nOff course, I would certainly add RNA interference to the list!
868206
Approve stem cell research. This will be the next great technology. If we conceed this to off-shore interests, the game is over.
748163
I had been watching the election updates all night. I live near St. Louis. \n\nI'm not entirely sure about my stance on embryonic stem cell research. However, it's helpful in other ways.\n\nThe scientists and doctors who have been researching it have been under threat for the past several years from bills that people have been trying to pass in Jefferson County and elsewhere. The governor of Illinois was trying to take advantage of that by trying to persuade some of Missouri's best doctors and other researchers to come work in Illinois where stem cell research isn't under threat. \n\nBy the stem cell initiative passing, it has taken a weight off of the shoulders of some of Missouri's best doctors and those who were considering a doctoral career in Missouri. Now, our best doctors can stay in Missouri and continue doing their research and attempts by people of other states to exploit Missouri's flaws to get them to leave Missouri and work in their states will be a lot less tempting.\n\nTherefore, the stem cell initiative's passing has helped ensure that Missouri can continue to have some of the top health care professionals and reasearchers in the country and the people of Missouri will continue to receive top quality health care from highly trained professionals.
889100
I doubt there are many stem cell researchers reading your question. You would need to checkout recent articles and news stories on the subject.
499561
No, because the person who finds the cure first will be richest.  It is competitive like everything else.  \n\nIf what you said was true, then in socialist countries where the researchers can't get rich, they would be finding cures for everything, because money wouldn't be a consideration.
968242
I think so.  I live in California and the problem here is not the research, it is the funding for the research.  Most of the people I have discussed it with seem to think that it is a legal or illegal issue.  They don't understand that it is the source of funding that is in question.  \n\nIMO when you start throwing tax dollars at things like research, it is nothing but a black hole.  There is absolutely no incentive to operate the research in an efficient manner since there is no real limit to the funds available.
83841
Women are going to have abortions. Whether it's right or wrong to do so, they are going to do it.  Why shouldn't we as a society utilize this stem cell resource?  We're more than willing to destroy the rain forests and other resources for chemical "cures".  We'll pump ourselves full of chemicals and endure side effects worse than the disease we're trying to treat when stem cells offer cures, not just symptom cover ups.
976097
stem cell research is good, per se, but it is unfortunate that sensationalism has turned the debate so that people think that it is some automatic holy grail that cures all diseases
70496
I am for stem cell research. There is a whole world of possibility of reversing damage caused by debilitating disease and injury.
845253
I hope so, too.  As one of millions of Americans who may benefit from this research.  I hope that the research gets the funding that is needed to help people.
971448
I agree that stem cells hold the answers to many different diseases. I do not see anything wrong with using embryos.\nHere is the problem, not all groups can agree to this due to religious reasons. \nSome believe a child is a child at conception, others believe in the 2nd trimester. Its very complicated and unfortunate. I believe that the embryos that will not grow (there are many) should be used for research. That way maybe both groups will be ok.\nI also believe that people should not put other people down for their beliefs. I understand from both sides.
429285
In some cases, yes. As can be seen with the stem cell debates that started a few years back. \n\nIt isn't just religion though, it is general social standards and responsibilities in general that can determine what is right and what is wrong when it comes to certain research.