What do people think of stem cell research?
819900
It is the wave of the future of human medicine. There are many web sites that support that concept. International Stem Cell Research - WEB site.
711160
A stem cell is a basic cell that hasn't quite decided what to become yet.  It is like a cell on standby waiting for orders from the body.  Once the cell gets orders, it goes where it is needed and becomes whatever type of cell the body needs.\n\nWhen a fetus is developing, stem cells become whatever the infant needs based on the DNA code that the mother and father provide.  They become the bones, organs, muscles, brain, hair, etc.  Later in life, stem cells work to repair damage to the body such as bone breaks, cuts, torn ligaments, etc.  This does not mean that aborted fetuses are the primary source of stem cells; it's just one of the most visible ways of seeing how stem cells are used.\n\nMost of the advancements in stem cell research are actually being done with bone-marrow or umbilical cords.  By getting stem cells from adults or umbilical cords, no infants or fetuses need to be harmed.\n\nThe applications of the research are vast.  Scientist hope to be able to repair damaged nerves to cure blindness, deafness and crippling injuries.  There are also ways of using stem cells to stunt the growth of cancers or repair damage to organs.\n\nI hope that was elementary enough.  Stem cell research is really not as bad as everyone makes it seem.  Think about it--if we can cure breast cancer without harming a single child (born or unborn), isn't it worth considering?
950312
Sure, because opposition to stem cell research is based on the belief of many people that clusters of cells in petri dishes are human babies in the eyes of God.
374875
For embyronic stem cell:\nit will provide many cures for possibly many diseases and conditions such as diabetes and paralysis, it has proven to be effective so far and can better the lives of many, it is the cutting edge of modern medicine\n\nAgainst:\nThere are other methods of stem cell research using adult stem cells that won't use embryos at all, many believe that killing the embryos just for their stem cells is not moral, the eventual result of stem cell research could be overcrowding due to increased life span for many and/or cloning which is an issue that is also very controversial
900029
I don't know - nor will we ever truly know unless the research is done.\n\nEven if there is a remote chance that the possibilities suggested for stem cell research will come about, this research has to be carried out - the potential for saving human life and removing some horrible complaints is stunning.\n\nAnyone who understands the first thing about it must support the research. Only the ignorant oppose it.
145025
Stem Cell Research. Can it really cure diseases like Diabetes? Is it worth it? What harm can come from it? There are a billion questions to be asked about it, and I bet you'll be surprised at what you find.
871453
To one of the posters before me, I can only say that some people need to get educated before telling others to check their facts!  Most embryonic stem cell research is done on the stem cells of embryos that would have been discarded anyway; fertility clinics routinely thrash embryos that aren't showing satisfactory growth rates suitable for In vitro.  So the embryo dies no matter what!  Might as well put the tissue to use so that the death isn't in vain--who knows how many lives the research on one embryo could save?  And as far as grouping OTHER stem cell research into this whole "morality" issue... I'd hope these soapbox preachers realize that blood cells come from stem cells that are produced by bone marrow--and we all have 'em.  No lives (other than cellular) are lost for research--and many bone marrow transplant patients owe their lives to what's been done so far.  Blood stem cells aren't capable of forming anything other than blood cells, while embryonic stem cells have the potential of becoming any of the body's tissues.  Honest to goodness, do a little research!\n\nNOW, to answer the question asked... yeah, I think he'll veto it.  He'll kick himself if he or someone he loves becomes ill with a disease that might have been curable if he'd have actually helped the research.  But for now, I'd see him standing on the Biblewagon and doing whatever he can to make sure nothing useful happens.  (Kind of like he's been doing from day one, eh?)
969469
I support stem cell research.\nI vehemently oppose Federal Funding (taxpayer) for stem cell research.  There is no more important right on this planet than private property rights (my money).  There will always be some worthy cause that politicians will use to spend "federal funds", and the slow erosion of private property rights for "worthy causes" will only make things worse.\n\n.
846528
I'm still undecided on stem cell therapy.  As of right now, I'm not down with cutting up an embryo for the sake of someone else.  BUT if someone in my family were to get sick and could benefit from stem cells, I'm sure I'd be all for it.  (so what, I'm a hypocrite :)\n\nAnd cloning people is just stupid.  Why would you do that? We already have enough people running around this world.  It's a waste.  And it would morally wrong to clone ppl just for their organs.  So, again, NO on the cloning.
282691
I agree too many! And you others are wrong, stem cell research is still done in privately funded centers, only government funded centers cannot perform stem cell research! Nancy Reagen funds a privately owned  research center
227872
Stem cells are little cells that babies have to form their organs. They can be made into whatever cell you need basically. Stem cell implantation is a handy little thing that transfers embryonic cells (like the kind you had when you were first convieved) into basically whatever kind of adult cell that you need. (It could be a kidney, heart, lung etc..) Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with that, but there are people why believe that it is inhumane. Stem cells can be taken out of the mothers umbilical cord, and also when women get their tubes tied we want to use the rest of their eggs for stem cell research. Some people say that this is murder in itself and should be banned, but they probably know nothing about it. Stem cells could save lifes of many people. (people that have diseases such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Diabetes, etc..)
719674
It is. The area of dispute is public funding vs. private funding. Currently only adult stem cells and a few fetal stem cell lines, most of which are unusable, are allowed to be used by firms with public funding.\n\nThe problem with the embryonic stem cell research debate is that too many people equate it with abortion. For years, publicly-funded researchers have been trying to use embryos from fertility clinics. The way the current law is, the ones that are not implanted in a woman are discarded - thrown in the trash. I see this as unethical. Why discard them when they can be used on possibly life-saving research? Who supports embryonic stem-cell research? People as diverse as Michael J Fox, Nancy Reagan, Curt Shilling, Muhammad Ali, Arlen Specter, and my father, who passed 4 years ago from Lou Gherigs disease.\n\nI feel it is unethical to discard something that could potentially save lives simply because of misinformation.\n\nPluripotent stem cells, those from embryos, are able to develop into all the different types of cells in the body and multiply rapidly. \n\nAdult stem cells, or multipotent stem cells, that could give rise to all cell and tissue types have not yet been found. Adult stem cells are often present in only minute quantities and can therefore be difficult to isolate and purify. There is also evidence that they may not have the same capacity to multiply as embryonic stem cells do. Also, adult stem cells may contain more DNA abnormalities—caused by sunlight, toxins, and errors in making more DNA copies during the course of a lifetime. These potential weaknesses limit the usefulness of adult stem cells.\n\nThere is a really good paper on this at The Michael J Fox Foundation website called "Q&A Embryonic Stem Cells; Exploding the Myth" (see link)
693540
Embryonic stem cell research is unquestionably wrong because it involves the destruction of a human baby.  There are other sources of stem cells such as placental cord blood, adult stem cells, etc. that are right and good research which promises to produce many good therapeutic procedures and products.  Stick to that kind of stem cell research and many good things will come of it.  But, at all costs, avoid anything to do with embryonic stem cell research.
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.
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.
551087
That bunch of cells could instrumental in saving millions of lives,stem cell research.\nWhat about my right to live?.The best medicine should be available to every body, but perhaps procedures/treatments that arise from stem cell research could be optional.\ni.e.'Miss smith you have cancer we can cure it, but the treatment comes from stem cell research.Would you like the treatment or would you prefer to die painfully?,and would you like frys with that?.
699943
Opposition to stem cell research is almost entirely ethical/moral.  There are two major concerns, both of which turn on the sanctity of life and the slippery slope argument.\n\nThe first is that if any gains are realized from this research, that scientists will begin to farm human beings a la "The Matrix".  The basic fear is that even though scientists currently intend only to use cells from embryos that were going to be destroyed anyway, they will begin to create babies for the sole purpose of harvesting their stem cells.  In essence, it's a more sinister form of abortion.\n\nSecondly, many of those people who oppose cloning are against stem cell research because the methodology of conducting stem cell research is that of small-scale cloning.  More specifically, legislation legalizing stem cell research may be written such that full-on cloning would also be legal, although this is a somewhat tenuous argument.\n\nIf you want to know any more, I would suggest you look at most any Right-to-Life website.  They will likely have talking points to better explain these and other arguments.\n\nBest of luck with your speech.  Arguing against your own beliefs can often refine your own debate skills and understanding of your real position.