Thank you, both! It’s just as I thought.
“Columbia: Why is there so much focus on embryonic stem cells?
Prentice: I think the obsession with embryonic stem cells is primarily ideological and economic. It is perhaps interesting science for some people, but it is very expensive science. It has been sold to the public, as well as to legislators, with promises of all of the cures and the eventual economic return that will come, but essentially it is like selling snake oil.
Columbia: Why would there be more of an economic motive in embryonic than adult stem cells?
Prentice: You can patent embryonic stem cell lines. Everyone that is interested in embryonic research wants to have their own line of embryonic stem cells that they can patent and then reap the profits. Even if no treatments ever happen, any scientist or company that wants to work with those cells has to pay a licensing fee. It becomes a moneymaker simply to destroy embryos, grow the cells and then market those cells for more basic lab studies.”
Money...pure and simple...money. Did you know that the love of money is the root of all evil?
Then there is the abortion rights groups. They are so afraid that outlawing embryonic stem cell research will kill abortion rights. That right there is right up with the love of money.
Adult stem cell bump!