Embryonic Stem Cell Research.. Hindered!

        The article deals with the benefits the human race can reap if embryonic stem cell research is made legal in America. When I hear that President Bush's ideology prevents him from sanctioning embryonic stem cell research, I just wonder in which century do we live in! Embryonic stem cells are cells that are, as the name suggests, derived from embroyos. These embryos are not the ones that are fertilized in a woman's body, but are the ones that are fertilized invitro-in an in vitro fertilization clinic-and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. As long as the embryonic stem cells in culture are grown under certain conditions, they can remain undifferentiated (unspecialized). But if cells are allowed to clump together to form embryoid bodies, they begin to differentiate spontaneously. They can form muscle cells, nerve cells, and many other cell types. Specifically their possibility of differentiating into nerve cells is worth serious consideration.



        Some of us as healthy people, with a functional spinal cord may think( as President Bush certainly does) that embryonic stem cell research ultimately leads to the destruction of the human embryo involved, and is thus equal to murder of a human being. This is the same as saying that a molecule of H2O is same as a litre of water in all respects( including the prospect of water's ability to quench thirst). An embryo is not sentient. It does not feel like we humans do. Just think of the possibilities. People who have broken their spinal cords in accidents could walk and function normally again. Christopher Reeves would have been walking. But it is too late for him now. I sincerely hope that Obama becomes the next President of the United States of America. I believe he would be the one who would promote and fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research.