Truemors
As of this day according to the "Body Count Database," 77,272 civilian Iraqui men, women, and children have sacrificed (unwillingly I would think) their lives to keep us safe from terrorism. 3,727 American Citizens employed by the United States Military have also sacrificed their lives(perhaps more willingly). Also 27, 186 Americans have been wounded and become physically impaired in this war. The current cost of the Gulf War to America is 455 Billion Dollars. That is American Federal Tax dollars that extend to every State, County, and Community in the United States. But, as the body count and cost of our war against terrorism grows science is still struggling to provide us with longer, healthier, and happier lives.
The beacon of hope given today is the lowly pest rodent: The Rat. The Biotechnology Labratory of Geron Corp has achieved the healing of a rodent heart with embryonic stem cells. Amid the more important political and entertainment news of the day this little gem was possibly overlooked. In this research rats were induced to have a heart attack (hopefully by humane means). Then injected new heart muscle embryonic cells into the rat's heart. Great news, the cell graft survived with the help of a high protien cocktail and integrated into the rat's heart muscle.The rat's heart beat in rythmn and it's functioning improved.
My hope is that you being as equally impressed as I am will make it your American duty to research this highly controversial and political subject. It will help you to intelligently speak about the issue during the upcoming election and new administration. Because Embryonic Stem Cell Research is a subject which is here to stay. Unlike Alberto Gonzales who is now gone. I am certain I am not the only one continually amazed at the contrasting movements of the American Collective Consciousness guided by politics and media into diametrically opposite values.
The big question of Embryonic Cell Research deals with what constitutes human life. It is neccessary in that research to destroy (sacrifice) a "days-old" embryo to retrieve what researchers consider the most usable of cells for repair of damaged cells. Again, we can be amazed that science can measure a vast expanse of Dark Energy a million light years away to the nth parameter but cannot decide or measure the point when a developing cell is considered, "human". But, despite it's great promise of the future both sides of the issue concede that to date no human being has been healed using embyonic stem cells. Only rats! Adult Stem cells which require no sacrifice of life on the other hand has cured thousands. Bone marrow cells from the hipbone have successfully been used to repair damaged heart muscle in humans. Scientist agree that one of the hold backs with embyonic cells is that since they have no taggable designation you could end up with teeth instead of heart muscle. This accounts for embryonic stem cell rejection even in rats. Let it suffice to say that strong political lines are formed around this controversial subject. The question of funding and legalities has seperated political parties.
Perhaps we are still so scientifically primitive we can not decide at what point human life begins. But the point that it ends is not a question that is yet controversial. The hope of healing in any sickness, suffering, or disease is a valid hope to forward to the people. Certainly the 865,000 people who have heart attacks every year would welcome this promise of healing. But the current state of affairs is that only the rats are benefiting. Meanwhile far more developed human beings are being violently executed in acts of war than all the embryonic research done to date. Billions more dollars are being spent to destroy than to forward sound scientific research into healing. This is not an opinion, theory, or guess, it is a current fact proven by measurable numbers. Possibly the American priority system could use some healing. Until then, I am sure the rats will prosper and continue to breed profusely.
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