Stem cells...sm

So, I'm writing this as Obama crows about reversing the ban on embryonic stem cell research.  A lot of people in the crowd who know nothing about the science are screaming and applauding.

Whoa.  Hold on for some facts.

 First, embryonic stem cell (ESC) research has been going on full-tilt-boogie in other countries throughout the whole period of the US ban against using (new) lines of ESCs.  So, ummm...where are the miracles, please?  Adult stem cell therapies are already being used to treat over 70 diseases. Adult stem cells are much better for therapeutic purposes because they are already differentiated into the different tissue types (liver, nerve, etc.) and as such are much more immediately applicable.  As one scientist said, "When you have a liver problem, you need a liver stem cell, not an embryonic stem cell".  If you start with an embryonic stem cell, you have to first coax it into becoming a liver stem cell (if you're treating a liver disease, for instance) anyway...so what's the point?  The logic is difficult to escape, no?.

Second, embryonic stem cells show a marked propensity to develop into all kinds of tissues - including malignant tumors - and don't know the difference.  At least one patient injected with ESCs in Great Britain has died of cancer as a result.  No doubt, this scientific fact will be labeled "un-scientific".

Third, most embryonic stem cell collections are contaminated and unusable.

This does not mean that ESCs have no scientific value.  Blood, for instance, has been produced from ESCs.  However, there must be protections against the potential risk of sacrificing embryos in order to harvest ESCs, and there are ways to provide such protections.   Given the aggressive pro-abortion actions of the man who has already become known as "the Bloodiest President", we can have no confidence that this administration, which is indifferent to human life,  will protect these nascent human beings.

Why then, you might ask, are all the pharma companies screaming for joy?  Because, like the rotten science behind global warming, ESC research is an industry, and more precisely it is an industry that commands huge amounts of federal dollars.  That's what Obama was announcing today.  And, you don't have to produce any results to receive these dollars, either.  All you have to do is propose a research project, however improbable it might be, and here come millions of dollars.  It's the same reason state governors and bankers and auto company executives dance attendance upon Obama, kissing his ring - it's worth $millions and sometimes even $billions per pucker. 

• Stem cells...sm - TechSupport
  • Please, if you will tell me exactly where these are coming - Marilyn
  • Shouldn't this really be on the Politics board? sm - CDW
  • You are absolutely right - Old part-timer
  • stem cells - stem cells
    • Wow - where'd you get that...SNL? nm - TechSupport
      • touche - stem cells
  • This is why we need MORE ongoing RESEARCH. nm - I support!
    • Yes, but let's tell the truth and protect the embryos too. sm - TechSupport
      • "There is no debate here" because you are declaring yourself the truth. nm - In your world
        • that's how I read it all, too... -nm- - sadie
          • I apologize to both for the miscommunication. sm - TechSupport
        • What I meant was...sm - TechSupport
      • Embryos are NOT people. They are cells, not a "preborn person" . nm - CDW
        • You mistake the visible appearance for the inner reality. sm - TechSupport
          • Oh hurry up and outlaw IUDs then, eh? They prevent sm - CDW
            • Wow - birth control = killing embryos? sm - TechSupport
              • There are women who will not use an IUD precisely for this reason sm - AnitaD
                • Well, I'm down for that if that's your interpretation...sm - TechSupport
                  • Now I think you are the one splitting hairs - - AnitaD
                    • I'm specifically AVOIDING splitting hairs, if you'd notice. sm - TechSupport
              • Did you not read the msg? Technically an IUD *does* sm - CDW
                • Excuse me...a little medical knowledge..sm - TechSupport
                  • Sheesh yourself, and why the name-calling? sm - Why So Nasty?
                    • Let's back up here....sm - TechSupport
          • But you could go as far - Susan
    • My support also.........nm - Jan
      • I think O made the right decision. - Jan
  • Where are YOU getting your "facts" from? And since when is B.O. the bloodiest prez?!? - bending the truth
    • Here's a start...sm - TechSupport
      • WHY should the US stay behind on stem cell research?,,,nm - Jan
        • Why do you assume we're "behind"? sm - TechSupport
          • I meant: If the funds are minimal, so is the volume of research..nm - Jan
  • But how is it known, after differentiating the various stem cells that - Jan
  • If you have a child with a life threatening disease - Anonomiss
    • No one except a parent can understand, eh??!! sm - TechSupport
      • The #1 concern in my life is - Anonomiss

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Part of the problem is my son got an academic scholarship and a band scholarship.  The band scholarship (which I didn't want him to take but he insisted  and my husband thought it would be good for him) involves about 27 hours a week.  We were hopeful that this would give him a group of friends when he started school.  That didn't work.  Anyway, band is a part-time job in and of its own.  That plus his other classes, I think he would definitely flunk out if he got a job on top of all those band hours.  He is NOT taking band next semester and he will get a job.  I don't care what he wants to do.  He will get a job.  I am not paying for dates.  He knows that. 

The biggest problem I see with taking away his phone is that he will sit in his dorm room and talk on AIM all day long, and there is absolutely nothing I can do about that.  We told him we would be checking the bill and making sure that he was not texting during class, and since then, I have a real suspicion that he has been cutting classes to be in his room and talk to her on AIM since he can't talk to her on the phone. 

I would almost rather him get out of his room and try to meet some other people and text on his phone than not meet anyone and talk to her day and night on the AIM.  Again, I don't think this is a bad girl.  I think this is a girl who has too much free time on her hands and her parents could care less if she texts day and night.  The thing is, if she really cared about my son, she would not want him to skip classes.  I dated my husband in high school.  We didn't go to the same high school or college.  We talked on the phone each night (for a short time) and came home and saw each other on weekends.  However, I would have never in a million years dream of having him skip class or do anything that would jeopardize his studies because of me.  She wants to keep him in his room so he can't meet people, or at least that is how I feel about the situation. 

I am just so frustrated. 

Life was sure much simpler before cell phones.....

I was always told it kills brain cells.  I always believed that because I thought my ex was walking proof! lol.  Does it really rejuvinate them? I too believe in its usage for medicinal purposes.  Back in the day (waaaaay back) I smoked it once when I had an excruciating toothache (cuz that always happens on weekends when the dentist is closed!) and it relaxed me enough to tolerate the pain.  It was either that or I was going to overdose on Tylenol, Motrin, whatever I could find cuz they weren't working for crap.  I also did it once when I had an earache. (again waaaay back in the day).  It works wonders.  Doesn't take the pain away but makes it tolerable.  I definitely am against using it for recreation.  When my ex was getting high it was like walking on pins and needles around him.  He was wonderful when he was high but when he wasn't he was just the biggest a-hole!

snorting the crack OUR parents didn't teach us about!

Geesh -- why always so quick to blame the parents?  This kid is 14 years old and knew better than to do this.  She chose to do it anyway, just like so many others before her time chose to get up knocked up, strung out on drugs, become an alcoholic, etc. 

Yes, the kid screwed up, but that's what kids do.  Didn't you ever have a friend who stole a car in high school or got caught cheating and ended up expelled?  It's not the end of the world, but spreading it all over the media could very well push this kid over the edge and cause her to hurt herself.  She obviously is looking for attention or affection.  This is certainly not going to help her.