Right, well today somebody in my class gave a speech about why stem cell research, specifically using unborn fetuses, is wrong. Their argument focused mainly on three parts, and the ignorance was shocking, and of course, full of "moral" defenses and attacks.
Their first point was that "according to all studies, stem cells harvested from adult bone marrow is just as effective as embryonic stem cells." I looked up the study she listed, and it was TEN years old! In reality, according to modern studies, embryonic stem cells are far superior and more versatile.
The second main example was that rats with damaged brains were able to walk (they had been unable to move) after being treated with mature stem cells, so there was supposedly no need for embryonic stem cells. In reality, and I told them this, those very same rats suffered incapacitating limps for the remainder of their lives.
Now, I understand that abortion is a sensitive issue, and I'm not entirely certain on my stance, but this next argument is just horrible from every angle.
I said "you know once a fetus is aborted the stem cells can be cloned? You can save several lives with one aborted fetus."
She responded "I believe all life is sacred."
I said "But you think one embryo is more important than five children? You'd let five children die to save one?"
She said "If you're gonna die you're gonna die. It's god's plan."
So I responded "It'd be interesting to know how you'd act if you had cancer."
Of course she proceeded to ignore me and, what's worse, the class agreed with her views overwhelmingly! Some times I feel like I'm the only sane person in my town. There're a few other atheists, but none of them can really argue worth s**t.
Their first point was that "according to all studies, stem cells harvested from adult bone marrow is just as effective as embryonic stem cells." I looked up the study she listed, and it was TEN years old! In reality, according to modern studies, embryonic stem cells are far superior and more versatile.
The second main example was that rats with damaged brains were able to walk (they had been unable to move) after being treated with mature stem cells, so there was supposedly no need for embryonic stem cells. In reality, and I told them this, those very same rats suffered incapacitating limps for the remainder of their lives.
Now, I understand that abortion is a sensitive issue, and I'm not entirely certain on my stance, but this next argument is just horrible from every angle.
I said "you know once a fetus is aborted the stem cells can be cloned? You can save several lives with one aborted fetus."
She responded "I believe all life is sacred."
I said "But you think one embryo is more important than five children? You'd let five children die to save one?"
She said "If you're gonna die you're gonna die. It's god's plan."
So I responded "It'd be interesting to know how you'd act if you had cancer."
Of course she proceeded to ignore me and, what's worse, the class agreed with her views overwhelmingly! Some times I feel like I'm the only sane person in my town. There're a few other atheists, but none of them can really argue worth s**t.
