stem cell research

[Strangelet]

meanwhile, back to the adult conversation...

Originally Posted by Deckard

I'm not going to attempt to argue against those who claim we're "playing God" - for obvious reasons. I don't wish to turn this into a religious thread by asking which God or gods, how we know that he/she/it/they exist, and how we know what he/she/it/they really want and whether we can really believe that his/her/its/their words in the relevant Holy book are the genuine ones, and not put there by primitive man/the Devil.

My point here is that if the people in charge are employing religious arguments then opponents, you or me, are more effective assuming the language of religion. handwaving and dismissing it all as fairy tales, while emotionally satisfying, just ends the debate. Which is not what you want to do when they are in power, as was the case during the bush administration. its a small point to make but it flows well into your next argument....

it's more than a little telling that the only way these people end up truly squaring this dilemma is by invoking the Lord, a higher power, an unquestionable dogma. So every sperm becomes sacred, and the Holy institution of marriage is the only environment in which we can procreate - but we don't think too closely beyond those simple easy-to-grasp rules.

however...

killing a potential life just seems groundless, because a potential life is a potential life, wherever in time it's born - a year away, 10 years or 14 billion years.

my understanding is that they don't even have this leg to stand on. these embryos are on their way to being destroyed. There's no real expectation of potential life here, even for those against using the embryos.

When it comes to issues involving the sanctity of human life, suffering is really the only barometer I use, whether it's the supposed/actual suffering of the newborn/foetus/cells, or the suffering of the parents - emotionally or physically. I can honestly say that, morally speaking, no other objections concern me.

and that's the humanist perspective in a nutshell from my understanding of it. and one that I firmly support.