October 8, 2004
APPLIED BIOLOGY IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH MORALITY:
Kerry and Religion: Pressure Builds for Public Discussions (JODI WILGOREN and BILL KELLER, 10/07/04, NY Times)
When President Bush took on the issue of embryonic stem cell research in 2001, he framed it as a moral dilemma. He summoned members of the clergy and ethicists, as well as scientists, to counsel him. He prayed over it. His verdict - he imposed strict limits on medical research using the cells derived from human embryos - paid homage to human life as "a sacred gift from our creator."When Senator John Kerry highlighted the issue this week, he framed it as a matter of clinical science, surrounded himself with university researchers and doctors in white laboratory coats and disease sufferers. Mr. Kerry seized on the stem cell issue to portray himself as the champion of human reason and scientific progress versus what he called Mr. Bush's stubborn devotion to "extreme right-wing ideology."
At a town hall forum on Monday in New Hampshire, the senator never uttered the words faith, moral, religion, prayer, conscience or God, instead conjuring Galileo and other scientists who once drew the wrath of established religion. [...]
Polls suggest that Mr. Kerry may be paying a price for his privacy, with nearly three-quarters of the public wanting a president of "strong religious faith," and a swath of independent voters who identify as religious swaying toward Mr. Bush.
Frame a proposed action as science and ignore morality and nothing is barred. Posted by Orrin Judd at October 8, 2004 12:01 AM
Indeed. I, for one, am comforted by the fact that heretics like Mr. Galileo are burning in the firey lakes of Hades.
Posted by: Special Patrol Group at October 8, 2004 12:35 AM-- His verdict - he imposed strict limits on medical research using the cells derived from human embryos - paid homage to human life as "a sacred gift from our creator." --
An outright lie from the Editor-In-Chief of the New York Times. It was not within the president's authority to ban or limit embryonic stem-cell research. All he could do -- all he DID -- was to limit federal funding of such research.
It appears that Mr. Keller is no more honest than his predecessor.
Francis:
Given the mindset of many on the left and in the scientific community, banning government funding is the same thing as banning research.
Posted by: Peter B at October 8, 2004 7:26 AMIt has been said that one of the reasons 2000 was close was because religious conservatives in the millions sat out the election. Let's hope they see the difference between Bush and Kerry and vote this time.
Posted by: AWW at October 8, 2004 8:07 AMWe all know that: Barring federal funds is to banning the research as criticizing moronic speech is to burning books. Right?
Posted by: Tom C, Stamford,Ct. at October 8, 2004 1:39 PM>Frame a proposed action as science and ignore
>morality and nothing is barred.
Remember what the NSDAP did with its "race science"?
When does Sturmbannfuehrer Doktor Mengele get his Nobel Prize?
Posted by: Ken at October 8, 2004 9:48 PMjessica simpson photo this
http://jessica-simpson-photo.realhotceleb.com/