Tyler's Dad
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2006
- Messages
- 658
Personally, and I speak for myself (and my DH) only....I have 3 beautiful explanations for being against this bill. I do not post pictures of my children on the internet for all to see, but, suffice it to say, they are my reasons. I do know that this is an "emotional" reason....but I believe still valid. I have been thru the years of infertility treatment, and the thousands of dollars, and the daily injections, etc., and I believe every frozen embryo is a potential life. I see the proof of that every day.
This is not to discredit anyone going thru a major health crisis that one day MAYBE will be cured with stem cells. In fact, we have many Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics in our families; many family members on my side have had Alzheimers (enough that they participated in studies for genetic links); there are members with heart conditions; many with cancer....including the very strong gene BRCA1 for early onset breast cancer (they can use stem cells to test new drugs for cancer treatments). I just think that there is much more promise with the more stable "adult" stem cells (including cord blood, amniotic fluid, and stem cells from adults).
I am happy for you and your family that things worked out for you. I have a son that makes my life worth living. But AGAIN, this bill does not do anything to effect embryos not already being earmarked for research. It just allows them to go to federally funded studies. Nobody is asking for the federal researchers to be able to pilfer fertility clinics. As much as you say these are all potential life, many of the people who donate their embryos have had successful births and would like to see their extra embryos go to a cause, rahter than being pointlessly destroyed.
As for the adult stem cells, research has shown there is much more potential in embryonic cells in the fields of spinal growth and tissue growth.