Medical science will conquer lupus erythematosis. It will also conquer and eradicate cancer, diabetes, spinal chord injury, AIDS, arteriosclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and a vast number of other hideous diseases. This is only one reason why Western Civilization must remain healthy and strong and why the West must prevail. It is also an excellent reason why stem-cell research must continue unimpeded and why George Bush should reverse his position on this.
And that is exactly what the President's decision provided for. Research using existing stem cells from previously destroyed embryos, that could never be restored to full viability but might teach us something about ourselves. But just as these sacrificed potential lives might serve to teach, they will never actually cure any of us of any disease, because each of them is an individual, just as you or I, and is incompatible with virtually every other human on the planet. We survive transfusions only because of the relative simplicity of the nucleus-free red blood cells.
Perhaps the problem of tissue rejection can be controlled, as with current transplant recipients, but there are many failures, and suppression of the immune system using drugs is a serious problem in itself.
So research with these few cell lines is appropriate, to learn about the nature of the tissue differentation processes. But to find therapies and treatments that will actually cure anyone, we ought to be looking where the real answers are likely to be found. And that will probably start in the patient's own body, with his own, more mature, somatic stem cells.
If we aspire to be anything other than savage beasts, we must clearly and emphatically reject cannibalism. Killing human beings and making use of their body parts (for any purpose) is nothing less.
Folks, I have MS and ache for a cure. But there are lines no civilized men can cross.