Nobody's Right; Nobody's Wrong
Elizabeth M. Whelan and Henry I. Miller have penned an important essay on the stem cell debate over on Tech Central Station. It would seem that the relentless "Us vs. Them" mentality of the American political landscape has created (or at least encouraged) a host of misconceptions about both embryonic and adult stem cell research. Whelan and Miller do an excellent job of summarizing the inaccurate — and perhaps more dangerous, not-quite-accurate — notions that are floating around out there, and they provide a realistic picture of where the research is now and where it might yet go. They conclude with a simple plea:
We are not so naive as to expect that this continuing debate will lead to a convergence of views, but we would plead for a greater degree of candor, clarity and consistency in discourse. Given the stakes, is that too much to ask?
As that fellow in Tennessee might say: Indeed.
Comments
Incredible. I just put up a post pointing to this article at Echo Chamber.
It even has a similar picture of human stem cells.
http://echamber.blogspot.com/2004/09/stem-cell-debate.html
Great minds think alike. :-)
Posted by: Stephen Gordon![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.blog.speculist.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 24, 2004 10:19 AM
Hey, nice stem cells! :-)
Posted by: Phil Bowermaster![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.blog.speculist.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 24, 2004 10:30 AM
We are not so naive as to expect that this continuing debate will lead to a convergence of views, but we would plead for a greater degree of candor, clarity and consistency in discourse. Given the stakes, is that too much to ask?
Hmmm, to answer their plea, I think candor, clarity, and consistency isn't too much to ask, but they won't receive it. There are too many special interest groups that need an uninformed, irrational public. Advertisers and most media producers don't want rational viewers. Even the US educational system seems intended to produce people with a particular set of prejudices, reactions, and irrational thought patterns.
Posted by: Karl Hallowell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.blog.speculist.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 24, 2004 03:18 PM