Stem Cell Research

Most conservatives don't have a problem with stem cell research. We see a lot of potential in Adult Stem Cell Research, which has produced over 70 treatments for a wide-range of illnesses. ASCR works with cord blood and amnionic fluid, as you mentioned. It is Embryonic Stem Cell Research I, and most of the conservatives I know, have issues with. ESCR works only with the destruction of an embryo (that would be a potential human being). It does not involve umbilical cord blood or anything else. ESCR has not produced any treatments so far.

My issue with this is that ESCR advocates want government funding for research that is losing private grants due to non-production. They've failed to make good on their promises, so now they want us to pay for them to continue to fail. The US government has already spent $10 million dollars over the last six years on ESCR using available lines (those in existence -- produced from already murdered embryos -- before the Bush ruling). That's enough. Had we spent our money on the proven producer (ASCR), we might well have more than 70 treatments coming out of that field.

Do a little research before you make a blanket statement. Stem cell research is not at issue. It's where the stem cells come from and the value of their product that is at issue.