School stem cell discussion PART III

[kellyb32]

For those who have been following my threads on the stem cell discussion we’re having in my online psychology class, I would like to offer an update. Remember my professor said that our "ultra conservative, stauncly religious, right wing government’ is “narrow minded” and will not fund stem cell research because it “believes all ova are the beginning of life”. Those comments started a feud.

Another student replied with this comment, “Professor, with all due respect, I think the extremely left-wing, unreligious, pro-death approach has not only killed many, but hurt the ethics and morality of this entire country. I will debate politics all day if that is your desire…although this is a PSYCHOLOGY class is it not? I could’ve sworn I agreed to pay for a class that would help me understand human behaviors, not a leftist Professors opinions.”

What did the professor have to say? She answered with this today, " You have just crossed the line into total disrespect, inappropriateness, contempt, and rudeness. It is best that you keep your comments to yourself."

The student replied, "Professor, I do not understand what has offended you. Are you offended because you have students that are willing to disagree? I have had evidence to back up my claim and I am not the one that originally broke out the labels, that was you. I have not been disrespectful or rude, only stated facts. "

So the professor shot back, “Your speculation is incorrect. I was not offended because students disagree. I was offended by your response where you would appreciate that my comments be saved for a political class. You have absolutely no right to tell me what I can or cannot say when I am within the realm of the subject matter, which I was. Who do you think you are? Did you really think that I was going to admire that comment? I am appalled at your lack of regard for me and your pompousness toward me. Bush’s religious affiliations have stifled the funding of research. I am not debating politics nor giving an opinion. An opinion is a belief. A fact is truthful information. Understand the difference.”

Lastly the student said this, "OK Professor, obviously we have differing political views! I really do have respect for others opinions, I am sorry to have offended you.

I believe your label of our government was inappropriate because you did not state any facts to back it up, therefore it was an opinion. Roe v. Wade, homosexual marriage and pornography are all hot-button issues, as is embryonic stem cell research, they are not proof.

The questions that I would like to have answered are,
What is the benefit of embryonic stem cell research?
Why is embryonic stem cell research better than any other form of stem cell research?
Why does the government need to pay for such research?
If it should be changed, what psychological benefit would it have?

These answers would state facts as to why our government is, or is not, acting appropriately in funding research, not just that it will not do it because it is an, “ultra-conservative, staunchly religious, right-wing, government.”

Because none of these questions were approached only a label given I feel as though this comment is inappropriate, I am sorry if that in some way makes me seem disrespectful.

I did play my emotions in a few of my posts, I felt as though I was giving you a taste of your own medicine. I am sure we had the same reactions to one another’s comments. I know that I am a student, you are a professor. I do respect the fact that you have more knowledge than I when it comes to Psychology. I also am an adult and will state my opinions, in a respectful manner, whether or not I agree with you."

So whether or not the professor will answer her questions, I don’t know. We’ll see.

 

[ribozyme]

The questions that I would like to have answered are,
What is the benefit of embryonic stem cell research?
Why is embryonic stem cell research better than any other form of stem cell research?
Why does the government need to pay for such research?
If it should be changed, what psychological benefit would it have?

Why is embryonic stem cell research better than other forms of stem cell research?

For one, I will say that embryonic stem cells have greater potential: they are pluripotent (as they are able to differentiate into any type of cell).

I think the real reason is that embryonic stem cell research will pave the way for human genetic engineering; its primary goal is not to provide threaputic applications, but it is a propaedeutic for scientists with more ambitious goals.

Regarding human genetic engineering, I see it as an inevitable possibility resulting from years of diligent research into human genetics. Of course, I see this technology as a great danger to humanity as I fear this technology will only be exploited by wealthy parents to augment their children. Instead, the moral question concerning this topic is whether human genetic engineering can be used to mitigate social inequalities rather than exacerbate them.

Currently, I believe humanity is not ready to use this technology. We (as a species) need to mature and acknowledge that social inequality causes a great deal of suffering and we should do what we can to rectify this.

 

[mmm1]

Hi, ribozyme, I have to tell you I disagree with most of your post. You stated that embryonic stem cell research has greater potential. It would have to have at least potential, because so far, despite years of study, it has not yielded a single cure or treatment. It does result in fatal tissue rejection & frequent tumor formation.

You seem to imply that non-embryonic stem cells lack pluripotency. Actually, non-embryonic stem cells have exhibited pluripotency in multiple studies. I don’t have time to provide a link to the actual studies, but you can find them at www.stemcellresearch.org. Just click on Adult Stem Cell Plasticity. This is a site that is definitely biased against the destruction of human embryonic persons, but it is an organization founded by doctors & scientists. It has links to studies & hundreds of ongoing human trials involving non-embronic stem cells.

I think you would appreciate the science, & the fact that the site tells a side of this story that does not appear on CNN might provide you with some balance on this issue.

I will agree with you that humanity is not ready or mature enough to handle the manipulation of human genetic engineering. I also agree that we need to acknowledge that social inequality causes much human suffering, as does corruption. I don’t think we can rid the world of all suffering, but I think a fundamental change in people’s hearts goes a longer way towards curbing suffering than science ever will.

 

[kellyb32]

Why is embryonic stem cell research better than other forms of stem cell research?

For one, I will say that embryonic stem cells have greater potential: they are pluripotent (as they are able to differentiate into any type of cell).

Are you aware of this? msnbc.msn.com/id/16514457/

The technique that doesn’t harm embryos…a “giant step forward for research”

What do you think?

 

[cialovesyou]

So this debate/crossed words are all in text because it is a web based class? I didnt quite get that bit.

Great work from the student, poor proffessor got her ego hurt because she stepped outside her field, and made general social comments, and framed those comments in rhetoric rather than substance. Never mind proffessor, we are all still learning.
But what is interesting is the attempt to shut down the opposing view. “How dare you…” etc, is an attempt to silence dissent. Apparently you should be free to express your views in society if you are a left wing loony, but you should not if you have conservative views.

Tell the student I owe him a beer!

 

[cialovesyou]

not fund stem cell research because it “believes all ova are the beginning of life”.

Really Professor? Who says that an Ovum is human life? I dont know anyone who says that. After the Ovum is fertilised is a different story, but then it is not an Ovum is it Professor, maybe a zygote?

Or do you mean Professor that pro-lifers consider ova are one of the pre-cursors to the zygote? Dont you believe this professor? Where do you think babies come from Professor? Rubbing against the magic fertility tree?

With respect professor, perhaps you should stick within your field of expertise, you will at least be in a position to know what you are actually arguing against. And, be careful kissing boys professor, you might be surprised where all that ends after a few too many wines.