The debate on whether federal funding for embryonic stem cells should be allowed or encouraged, in my opinion, is often misunderstood� at least from what I�ve gathered by listening to callers on radio talk shows. The people who call in (and are against embryonic study of any kind) generally use the term �embryo� and �fetus� interchangeably. I think it should be clear that an embryo and a fetus are two vastly different stages of development. The embryo is a very early stage� before it even reaches a distinctively recognizable form. A fetus has a basic structural resemblance to an adult animal. Embryos that would be used for stem cell research are usually less than 10 days old� loosely-mixed cake batter, still in the mixing bowl� not in the baby-shaped pan, half-baked.

Another fact that seems to be ignored is that these embryos (from the fertilization clinics) will have to be discarded anyway, if they�re not implanted in a client�s womb� and THOUSANDS of them are indeed left over every year and tossed out like yesterday�s banana peels. So, it�s not as if scientists create embryos with the distinct purpose of �killing� them to further medical research. This goo is on its way to the biohazard waste receptacle anyway.

When a child (say of 5 or 6 years old) tragically dies in a horrible accident, the parents are allowed to choose whether they would like to let their departed offspring�s organs be harvested (or the whole body left to science for research). As awful as it is to ponder, especially in the hour of grief, a dead child�s heart, liver, lungs, eyes and more can all be used to save or improve the lives of other children� and educate student doctors. This happens ALL the time and is generally accepted and fairly respected. It should be no different with embryos at in vitro clinics. Clients (parents) should be able to designate if their left-over embryos should be given to medical research or not.

But you�re against it and you don�t think your tax dollars should be used for something you object to or will never benefit from? That�s kind of like saying that since you�re a woman you don�t want your tax dollars to help men� or that you don�t want your taxes to be used to maintain roads and bridges since you don�t drive a car. That�s not what HELPING is about. Many of my friends will NEVER have children (silly fags) but their tax dollars go to fund public schools. Is that fair? Of course it is� because we�re all paying taxes to help the nation function through many varied programs, many of which we never access. All of these peripheral improvements make this nation strong� and ultimately we all benefit, if even indirectly.

Medical research must be conducted. Without federal funding, it simply won�t get done to a degree where it can effectively help people.

Early-stage embryos that are scheduled to be destroyed are no more destined to be the next Ivory Snow model than a vial of blood is to being a beating heart.

So� these embryos (invisible to the naked eye) can either be garbage� or the potential for cures and treatments that will help hundreds of thousands of living, breathing, suffering, loving people in need.

Garbage� or potential cures.