Stem-cell research

[Kilgore Trout]

I'm for rational and moral scientific inquiry and study. So, yes.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

If you're talking about embryos, I don't agree with this premise. But, as a I said, it is a matter of belief. I don't expect you to agree with me.

What researches are interested in literally have no brain, no heart, no lungs, no arms or legs, absolutely nothing more than a cluster of cells that have yet turned into anything specific that we would later identify of epithelial cells or muscle tissue. Once they hit that point they aren't as useful for stem cell research, which partly studies the process of the blastocyst cells that have the potential to become any cell in the human body.

 

[Lirille]

What researches are interested in literally have no brain, no heart, no lungs, no arms or legs, absolutely nothing more than a cluster of cells that have yet turned into anything specific that we would later identify of epithelial cells or muscle tissue. Once they hit that point they aren't as useful for stem cell research, which partly studies the process of the blastocyst cells that have the potential to become any cell in the human body.

I know all that. As I said, I have no secular arguments against destroying embryos. If you want to dismiss the spiritual part of my argument, there's no contest - you win.

 

[Quintessence]

The poll question and the question in the OP are not the same.

Is it okay to destroy human embryos for research?

Yes. It is certainly more acceptable than humans abusing non-human persons for their own self-centered aims.

Are you in favor of stem-cell research?

If by "stem-cell research" you mean research that serves only humans (which is what I assumed), no. I cannot support research that serves to lengthen human life spans or reduce human death rates when our species is overpopulated and we are taking no steps to limit excessive breeding rates. That said, I won't stand in the way of it either.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I'm for rational and moral scientific inquiry and study. So, yes.

I agree with what he said.

 

[Spiderman]

The poll question and the question in the OP are not the same.

Is it okay to destroy human embryos for research?

Yes. It is certainly more acceptable than humans abusing non-human persons for their own self-centered aims.

Are you in favor of stem-cell research?

If by "stem-cell research" you mean research that serves only humans (which is what I assumed), no. I cannot support research that serves to lengthen human life spans or reduce human death rates when our species is overpopulated and we are taking no steps to limit excessive breeding rates. That said, I won't stand in the way of it either.

Very interesting points! I never considered those reasons for not supporting stem-cell research. Human life-expectancy going up and population growth have their consequences.

 

[Quintessence]

Very interesting points! I never considered those reasons for not supporting stem-cell research. Human life-expectancy going up and population growth have their consequences.

Ideally, they should not be at odds with one another. And in fairness, the parts of the world that would have access to the research and products of said research have more reasonable birth rates (though they are still above what they probably should be). On the other hand, these same countries consume a disproportionate amount of natural resources, meaning extending and prolonging lives in those nations has a significant impact on the environment. The longer a person in an affluent society lives, the bigger their ecological footprint. It doesn't have to be that way - and it shouldn't - but that is the current state of things.

 

[Mister Emu]

Yes to the poll; no to the question in the post.

We shouldn't destroy life to make life better.

 

[Nietzsche]

Yes to the poll; no to the question in the post.

We shouldn't destroy life to make life better.

I'm reasonably sure that's just Popeadope being misinformed about what stem-cell research is. If you're against using embryonic stem-cells, I shall bring up my post;

I want anyone who is against stem cell research to plead their case to those who've lost the ability to use their legs, or anything below their neck, so on and so forth. Directly. Them specifically. If you can do that, you can continue holding your anti-science, anti-human, anti-progress, anti-medicine and pro-suffering view.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

To be ethically against stem cell research you would really have to be against IVF as well.

The Catholic Church is opposed to both.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes to the poll; no to the question in the post.

We shouldn't destroy life to make life better.

^This, basically.

 

[Mister Emu]

I'm reasonably sure that's just Popeadope being misinformed about what stem-cell research is. If you're against using embryonic stem-cells, I shall bring up my post;

I'm not sure why you'd think I would have a problem with stating my ethical position to someone who would benefit from something I believe is unethical and am unwilling to support.