Learning about his death was so sad for me.  He was a great comedian.

I agree with the above comments (except for calling all conservatives assholes and terrorists).  I support stem cell research in its entirety.  There's nothing immoral with helping a living, breathing human even if it means stopping a potential life.  A potential life is not a life in my book.  Why not stop the suffering of a human that already exists?  I hope we see many medical advancements using embryonic stem cells in the near future.

There are two different types of stem cells: pluripotent or multipotent. Stem cells that are pluripotent are only found in aborted human embryos.  These types of stem cells can transform into almost all the different tissue types found in people.  They have the remarkable potential to repair and replenish other cells as long as a person is still live.  These are the stem cells that are debated.  The other type of stem cell is a multipotent stem cell.  Those are found in umbilical cord blood and different adult tissues.  These are not the stem cells we are debating.  These stem cells cannot repair as many different types of tissue as the embryonic (pluripotent) stem cells.  From here on out, when I say stem cells, I mean pluripotent stem cells found in a human embryo. 

Before I offer some of the arguments on both sides, I'm going to explain more about the amazing regenerative abilities of embryonic stem cells.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

As you can see, stem cells are restorative, helping the human body heal.  Scientists link stem cells to new treatments for diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and certain types of cancers.   

There are really two sides to the argument: those who want to up the research on embryonic stem cells and those who don't believe in aborting the embryo. 

Pro:
*medical advancement
*cast-off remnants of invitro fertilization, thus going to be destroyed if not used
*incredible ability to repair and regenerate
*helps fully developed human beings

Con:
*embryo has the potential of becoming human being if implanted
*possibly immoral to abort life potential
*other sources without questions of morality (animals, adults, umbilical cord) provide enough medical advancement

So here's the debate: Do you agree or disagree with overturning the current federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research?

Congrats!  Job well done!

I'll be swimming and relaxing all summer long.  Summertime and the livin's easy.

I had a student who had cancer in his brain stem.  The chance of survival was in the single digits.  The chance of him not being a vegetable if he did survive was even less.  Part of his brain and brain stem were cut out, and he had intense chemo and radiation treatments.  Not only did he survive, but he went into remission without becoming a vegetable.  He was at the top of my class.  I believe very strongly that part of the reason he survived was his attitude.  When describing himself, some of the words he used were strong, fighter, and survivor.  

That all being said, I wish you the best of luck and hope that all turns out well.  Like my student, i will put you on my prayer list.

We never spoke, but congrats on the baby!  Good luck to you and your girlfriend.

Don't hold your breath oto!  I don't even post fully clothed pictures.

I'm quite new, but I'd say no.  I don't have the time to thoroughly go through the forums and interact.  It appears that that generally is required in order to fit in here.

I don't drink milk because I think it's cruel.  You imagine having a machine suck your nipple dry for hours at a time.  You imagine lactating not because it's your body's time to lactate, but because you've been pumped full of hormones that allow you to continue lactating after you've birthed and weaned.  It just doesn't seem right to me.  As far as eggs go, no thanks.  I don't think they taste good, and I don't like the idea of eating unfertilized chicken.

lol You guys are a stitch and a half.  Oto, keep trying.  Eventually, you'll find a sucker.  After all, a sucker is born every day.

Ocean, Fade, and others are here too Vale. 

Oto, hell to the no!  Does that really work on any other ladies? 

Hi Vale.  I didn't know you frequent this place.  What a huge RRR presence here at GW!

I'm sorry to have inundated you.  I'll give it a bit more time between posts.  I just figure not every post is for everyone, so might as well post a few so that people can choose between them.

thecat: Yes. 

I'm actually pro-abortion. I think a woman's body and a woman's life are hers to control.  However, I am also for a doctor's right to choose whether or not he is the one to perform it.  I don't feel it's right to have a doctor perform what he is not morally comfortable with when it's not a life or death situation.  It's kind of lack plastic surgery.  Should a doctor be forced into it?  I don't think so.  I don't think all OBGYNs should be forced into performing abortions simply because they can and that's what the patient wants.  There are plenty of doctors who will perform abortions who aren't morally opposed.

It's not just about regret.  Is it medically safe to have breast implants while the breast is still forming and growing?  Are adolescent views fully developed?  Are adolescents capable of making lasting decisions?  Do adolescents truly understand societal pressure, or is high school pressure a completely different beast?

The thread was meant to ask if eating meat is appropriate when there are other viable food sources out there with all the nutrients we as humans need to survive.  I wasn't really aiming at leather and fur usage.

I understand that certain people from certain areas of the world have no option and that in order to survive, they must eat meat.  That is not where I'm going with this.  I believe very strongly in the survival of humans, and I wouldn't dream about discussing whether or not it is immoral for them to eat meat.  This goes mainly to those of us who live in countries where plant-based alternatives are readily available.

Fame is a tricky subject because it comes with some hefty pros and cons.  One of the biggest pros of fame is the wealth that often comes along with it.  Whether or not you appreciate its influence, money is a driving force in today's world.  Imagine not having to worry about the price tags on your favorite items.  Some of the other pros are notoriety, influence, and pride.  Having your name go down in the history books is a rewarding feeling I'm sure.  There is nothing better than leaving a mark on the world and having others appreciate you for it. 

However, there are also some pretty discouraging cons like lack of privacy, intense scrutiny, and stalkers.  Just take a look at Britney Spears.  Her fame as driven her to medical insanity.  She has paparazzi lurking around every corner ready to judge every bad decision she makes.  She's lost custody of her children, and her father must approve all of her expenditures before she makes them.  She's been pushed over the edge.

That being said, would you want to become famous?  If so, what would you be famous for? What would you do with your fame? What or who would you hope to inspire?

I wouldn't want to become famous on a large scale because I enjoy my privacy and wouldn't be able to handle the lack thereof.  I make enough money to be able to live comfortably with my husband, and that's really all I can ask for.  However, I am already famous for my teaching. I made the school and local newspapers. I'm not sure that counts. Aside from my teaching, I think I could become famous for my swimming. I'm pretty sure I could break a record of longest swim. I'd probably try to do something admirable with my fame like set up some sort of program for youngsters. I'd try to inspire anyone who wanted to swim as an athleticly or leisurely. 

I'm sure otoman appreciates being singled out as a resource.  I promise not to bug him too heavily.

Dog, yes?

This lady is anything but generic.  Get to know me before making decisions about me.