The question of when life begins is basically a personal belief, since there is no definitive answer (I personally hold the belief that life begins when the first breath of air is drawn, but I can easily see an argument to be made for when a fetus is viable outside the womb (minimum of 25 weeks or so)).

But, that isn’t part of the stem cell debate as these embryos are going to be destroyed regardless. The only question is are we going to let them be destroyed without offering other benefits to the human race.

Try as they might, anti-abortion supporters can’t get past the fact that fertility clinics only hold embryos for a relatively short period of time (usually only 5 years past the date of last contact from the parents, unless their contract specifically states a longer period). Also, the embryos can be destoyed earlier at the parents’ request. Thus, no matter what, the unused embryos are destined for the biohazard bin.

Regardless, the condescending tone here is sickening.”

An embryo is NOT a life, it is an embryo.
Life does not begin till the heart beats at 18 days, and the brain makes it’s first wave at day 40.
The embryos are donated of free will by the mother.
She doesn’t need the embryos consent, because the embryo is not a live human being.

I’m not talking down my nose to you, or looking down from this pedestal I never asked to be placed on, I’m stating scientific facts about when life begins and how stem cells are used.

If people do not know the scientific facts, I have pointed those out.
I know the difference between an embryo and a human life.
I wish others did so we could get past people thinking that a donated embryo with full consent of the woman, is not abortion.

As to my choice of the word specious, I selected it carefully for the particular point we were discussing. I believe your logic is flawed in comparing embryonic stem cell research in the US, in this day and time, to Hitler’s atrocities. In my opinion, the two are much further apart than apples and oranges. More like apples and airplanes. My reason for believing your logic is flawed is this:

Hitler performed his experimental atrocities surreptitiously and without the support or input of any valid or respected medical or scientific input. His goals seem to have ranged from whimsical to vile to the deepest and darkest evil.

Modern American medical research in general, and any research involving stem cells or fetal tissues in particular, is done under the scrutiny and oversight of medical and governmental ethicists, with support and input drawn from throughout the medical and scientific community, and in the glare of public expoure to the Americans and the world. The goal is the alleviation of human suffering, the betterment of the human condition.

To me, any argument that relies on a comparison of the two is specious because I see no basis for comparison. Apples and airplanes.

Again, I am sorry I offended you. We can debate opposing opinions without that. I’ll try harder to choose my words with more care.

Oddly enough, embryonic stem cell research, where it is allowed, has never produced any positive results. What has produced good results is stem cell research when the cells are taken from a donor. For example, if they were taken from the inside of MY own nose, those cells can be used for good, and they are guaranteed not to be rejected by my body. That makes worlds more sense to me.

Any of us can donate our own stem cells to be used for research and good medicine. Yet, we have become so barbaric that we think nothing of destroying human life if we don’t think it’s worthy to live.

Why isn’t there a federal bill to pay for stem cell research from adult, donated cells?? This actually does work.

I don’t agree with either of you as you can well see. However, there is no need to call my opinion specious. I believe it does have merit or I wouldn’t have mentioned it. Done looking down your nose at what you assume is my lack of intelligence now?

And Kat, how can an embryo donate itself of its own free will? And you mock my opinion? Perhaps the air is a bit thin up there on that pedestal.

Regardless, the condescending tone here is sickening.