President Bush is known to be against stem cell research. He has vetoed bills for stem cell research. It is his view and the view of many that the research is killing innocent human beings that can’t speak for themselves. As Gushee says in his article, “Embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of the embryos in question. They are exploited, or experimented on, or harvested--choose whatever term you like--by some members of the human community for the benefit of others. They die that others might (someday, maybe) find healing for their maladies.” (Gushee) What many people don’t realize is that it is only a matter of time until the bill is passed in its favor. The American public is starting to sway toward stem cell research. A large part of it is the hate of George W. Bush. The American people are starting to go against anything he stands for. It is the view of many that when the next Democrat is elected President that they will pass the bill. Gushee’s article supports this view and brings many logical arguments against it.
“Few of us would consent to such an arrangement if it involved us. Personally, I would not consent to having my body’s resources exploited and my life ended in order to provide benefits to other people’s bodies and lives. At least, I would want to have the opportunity to make such a decision for myself. Embryos, of course, are not able to speak up for themselves and make such a choice.” (Gushee) I absolutely love this quote because not many think of in these terms. Not many put their selves in the place of the embryo. The only question in the equation is when human life begins. This is what the entire argument is based on. The one side says that they are human beings and the other side says they shouldn’t be considered human beings yet.
Another agreement is that many of the embryos used are ones that are frozen leftovers and would be thrown out anyway. Gushee gives a good argument to this too, “One response would be to draw this analogy: people on death row are going to die anyway. So why not experiment on them, even if those experiments involve killing them? After all, we might as well get some good use out of them. The same thing could be said for, say, millions of people with terminal illnesses, or in nursing homes in their very last days.” (Gushee) The counter argument would be that embryos are not human beings, which is the start of the entire debate all over again. The only question I have is if these embryos would be in women would they not be birthed. Then, how can it not be considered not to be a human life at steak?
These arguments are very well thought out and enlightening. Gushee’s article is chalked full of these insightful scenarios. The article is an excellent realization tool for arguments for and against stem cell research. It isn’t a question that this research would or would not save many lives, but at the cost of many embryos. It is a well written article that talks about the issues stated earlier and should be read by any who have a view on whether stem cell research should be passed or not.
Gushee, David P. The Stem-Cell Veto. 20 July 2006. 8 Febuary 2008
http://www.cbhd.org/resources/stemcells/gushee_2006-07-20.htm
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