Sacrifice Theory: Obama’s Executive Order for Stem Cell Research
Despite the majority of reports to the contrary, President Obama has been doing Presidential-type things other than choosing the Tar Heels to win it all in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and apologizing for not reading the entire AIG stimulus specifics. On March 9th, Barack Obama signed an Executive Order that removed existing barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells; barriers that were employed by former President Bush in mid-2001.
Human stem cells are the master cells in the body. Stem cells removed from human embryos just a few days old can divide to reproduce themselves or any of the 300 other cells found in the adult human body. Stem cells can be harvested from aborted fetuses or from excess embryos stored at in-vitro fertilization clinics. Both methods of obtaining stem cells require release from the “parents” of the embryo. Potential usage for stem cells includes repairing or replacing damaged human tissue, leading to scientists’ hope for treating and curing diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and diabetes. Continue reading
