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Doctors and researchers are mislabeling their own product when they refer to fertilized eggs (zygotes and blastocysts) as embryos. The media is simply repeating this misnomer and fueling the flames of moral argument. Yes, these in-vitro cells are within the first two-month stage of development that is covered by the term “embryonic”; however, these fertilized eggs are are not going to develop into embryos until after conception occurs. Conception can only occur in a uterus, not in a laboratory.There are a number of better choices for terminology when referring to undifferentiated stem cells. It might be helpful to call the cells what they are: “blastocyst stem cells” or “in-vitro derived stem cells”. Both of these are fitting terms, which would not be as likely to raise the hackles of those who assume that a human being is automatically formed when eggs are fertilized in-vitro. History shows that religious ideological wars in America are not quickly or easily resolved. I doubt there is a way to truly “win” the political and religious wars over stem cell research. There are some ways to circumvent some of the hostility on both sides of the issues. By providing factual information and using common sense, we can come to an agreement to take action that is in the best interest of the most people.I’m not going to argue about the terminology here. Instead, I want to show you two reasons why a blastocyst is not being harmed in the research process.1. Biologists can take a single cell from a blastocyst, study the DNA (pre-implantation genetics) and determine its health and other characteristics without harming it. In pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, one cell is removed from an 8- to 16-cell blastocyst for testing purposes. It is allowed to multiply/divide overnight. One of the three new cells is examined the next morning. If it is free of the diseased gene, the rest of the blastocyst is implanted and a pregnancy will go on to successfully produce a healthy baby. Since the fertilized egg is not harmed, this knowledge should remove the moral issue.2. Scientists will not always need new blastocysts to work with. Thanks to successful cloning methods, they are able to duplicate existing cells for research purposes. In fact, the remaining two cells mentioned above that were grown for examination purposes can be used to create new stem cell lines. Presently, these new lines would not be eligible for the NIH registry for federal funding since they were created after the August 2001 cut off imposed by the Bush administration. There is a bill (H.R. 3) before the senate as of January 2007 to relax current policy and allow leftover blastocysts to be used for scientific research regardless of the date they were derived. There is doubt that the senate can raise the two-thirds majority of votes needed to override a probable veto by the president.Whatever the result, I trust we will all work together to make our world a healthier place.
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Yvonne Perry is a metaphysical freelance writer, author and keynote speaker who enjoys assisting people on a spiritual path. Her open style of writing is lovingly controversial and challenges people’s belief systems in order to help them grow spiritually. As the owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee, she and her team of ghostwriters service clients all over the globe by offering quality writing on a variety of topics at an affordable price. See www.yvonneperry.net for more information about her writing services, books, writing classes, newsletter, podcast and blog.
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