Stem Cell Research

I was watching an interesting show on PBS this evening on Stem Cell Research. It was in the news a lot last year as one of the points of debate between Kerry and Bush for the presidential election. While surfing the Thomas site, I found the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. We hear a lot of terms of ethics when it comes to stem cells. Supporters say that the research could save millions of lives and people against it go with the whole life debate saying that science is cloning humans and killing them. If I am not mistaken, isn’t stem cells just cells that replicate themselves or make any type of cell required to build an organism? That sounds like PRE-human life to me. Anyway, it seems that the federal government has chosen to leave this more as a state matter, but with some federal oversight.

In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including any
regulation or guidance), the Secretary shall conduct and support
research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells in accordance with
this section (regardless of the date on which the stem cells were
derived from a human embryo).

What still blows my mind is one of the supporters of this bill, Sen. Orrin Hatch from Utah (one government official that I feel is a soft and will do anything for anyone that writes him a check) stated that…

"I believe that life begins in a mother’s womb, not in a science lab,"

This guy is from friggin’ Utah. One would think that he would be against stem cell research. The best part was a note about in the article that…

Sen.
Hatch reached his position after consulting with scientists, doctors,
ethicists and others. He also prayed on the matter and searched the
scriptures for guidance.