Response: CNN stem cell video 8

I have always been uncomfortable with hESC research. The thought of destroying human life always made me feel uneasy when asked if it was something that I support. However, after watching the interview, I've changed my mind. The embryos that are being used have been signed off by the donors. These embryos were going to either sit in a giant freezer or be destroyed anyway. If they are able to save a life (or help someone), why wouldn't that be something worth supporting?
I don't mean to force my opinion, because it's not that strong yet. I'm trying to let this new information settle into my brain.

While my opinion has changed, I was a little shocked that the embryos are 4 - 6 days old when the stem cells are harvested from them. Looking back, I should have realized that stem cells don't just magically appear in an embryo. It has to have time to be fertilized and for everything to grow.

Watching this interview reminded me of Arndt Roehlig. He's the man I interviewed who's living proof of the change that stem cells can make in one person's life. He didn't use hESCs in his therapy, but it's the same idea. His symptoms have been relieved, so far, by 90%. That's amazing. Think of what this could do for someone with Parkinson's disease, or someone who was once told they could never walk again. What a miracle this could be for so many people.

Notes: CNN stem cell video 8

Stem cell breakthrough could make difference in Parkinson's and paralysis.
the hESC do come from days old embryos.
it destroys early human life
the breakthrough in stem cell research in the areas of Parkinson's disease and paralysis are due to is the relaxed conditions for stem cell research.
"13 more hESC lines approved from scientific research"
4-6 day old embryos are used to take stem cells from during research.
Dr.Francis Collins is the scientist/representative chosen by Obama, who is being interviewed about stem cell research for the government. He is and Evangelical Christian (a Christian of very deep faith). he believes hESC research is ethical, and the standards are "defensible" He hopes for a revolution in medicine
the stem cells come from embryos that would have otherwise been discarded.
stem cells are collected after 4-6 days of fertalization because in these early steps they can be turned into virtually any type of cell
spinal cord injuries may soon be able to be repaired by hESCs
research isn't moving swiftly, but the research would be faster if there were fewer restrictions on the research of hESCs.
the first human clinical trial was approved earlier this year for hESCs, however it has not enrolled it's first patient
Obama's new policy has made 13 new lines of stem cell research available
ethical concerns: destruction of embryos....
derived from invetro fertilization, but the embryos are donated voluntarily with written consent
hundreds of thousands of embryos are stored, many are discarded.
isn't it more ethical to use the excess embryo's to help someone rather than discarding them?
president bush was the first president to approve multiple lines of stem cell research, 2001