Posted by Bill (OB) on October 31, 2002 at 02:43:17:
In Reply to: Re: Embryos Now Labeled 'Human Subjects' posted by Ellen on October 30, 2002 at 20:42:25:
Ellen, you have my full support. Every time I cut my fingernails or my hair I am "destroying" cells that have all the information that makes me me. Perhaps these are also "human subjects" as they certainly have the same amount of consciousness, ability to feel pain and other attributes that a 4 (or even 16 or 32 cell) fertilised egg has.
My personal opinion is that they also have the same degree of "soul", but I'm sure there are many who will get their arses up their back far enough without me introducing this particular aspect - perhaps another day.
Anyway, it seems passing strange to me that a people who claim some deep Christian need to preserve a few cells in a dish as a valuable human life are quite prepared to poison, gas electrocute or hang a fully formed functioning person for breaking their rules. So much for the new command "turn the other cheek". (I've really done it now haven't I?)
So, remember why the present administration in "the greatest country that has ever been" is making these decisions - votes, the only driver, not morality or ethics or belief, just power!
I come from Godzown country as you probably know, and this sort of crap is already happening here as our PM is also very conservative and a populist leader of the most shameless sort. Anyway, so much for my rant, I just think this dispute over stem cell research is so absolutley stupid that it is hard to respond without tending to extreme.
4 cells = "human subject" = absolute, unbelievable, stupidity; no apologies.