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STEM CELLS ARE PEOPLE TOO
Jan. 23rd, 2007 02:34 pmA woman with the genes for Huntington's disease goes through the process of in vitro fertilization. Through a few IVF cycles, a number of her fertilized ova are implanted in attempts at pregnancy. After the procedure is successful, the remaining ova are frozen.
The woman determines that she will not attempt additional pregnancies, and authorizes the University of Michigan's Center for Stem Cell Biology to use the remaining ova for research into Huntington's, which currently can't be cured and can just barely be treated.
No problem! Let the research begin. The excess ova are put to good use and used as pieces in a puzzle that may eventually alleviate the suffering of millions.
The lab is well-funded and ready to go. But due to various hurdles and blocks put in place by citizens and lawmakers with dubious intentions and questionable ethical claims, the researchers are unable to obtain clearance to do their work. The well-equipped lab remains idle, and the excess ova are discarded as medical waste.
. . .
I'd love to be convinced that this outcome makes any sense at all.
The woman determines that she will not attempt additional pregnancies, and authorizes the University of Michigan's Center for Stem Cell Biology to use the remaining ova for research into Huntington's, which currently can't be cured and can just barely be treated.
What could happen:
No problem! Let the research begin. The excess ova are put to good use and used as pieces in a puzzle that may eventually alleviate the suffering of millions.
What does happen:
The lab is well-funded and ready to go. But due to various hurdles and blocks put in place by citizens and lawmakers with dubious intentions and questionable ethical claims, the researchers are unable to obtain clearance to do their work. The well-equipped lab remains idle, and the excess ova are discarded as medical waste.
. . .
I'd love to be convinced that this outcome makes any sense at all.
