stem cell ethics question

[mopinko]

for the purpose of debate, let's say that it is unethical to use embryos that were intended for ivf for stem cell research, or medical treatments. is there an ethical distinction to be made if eggs and sperm are donated separately for that purpose?
i think the whole stem cell thing is the most ludicrous extension of the prolife debate, even when it doesn't come from the cynical mouth of a warmonger. but what do the earnest, honest people here who are "prolife" (for lack of a better term) think.

[GiovanniC]

1. The Thing Is...

Most of the embryos that would otherwise be used for stem cell research are just being DESTROYED. I think that donor couples should be able to designate that surplus embryos can be used for stem cell research purposes. Otherwise, it's just a waste.

Whether you think embryos are "life" or not, isn't it better that they are destroyed to advance science and cure horrible diseases rather than just be wantonly incinerated?

[mopinko]

2. i, personally,

don't have any idea why you can't donate your leftover embryos. what difference is there between these embryos and a bone marrow sample?

[Cleita]

4. None that is important.

If you were to worry about the ethics of using blastomas for research, then you would have to worry about the ethics of creating them in the first place, and then throwing away the unused ones in the second place. I think that is an inconvenient place that even conservatives don't want to go to.

[Dropkick]

3. Not pro-life but...

...I would think that the donation of unused IVF embryos would be on par with organ donation. When peoples children die, they have the right to choose to donate their child's organs (assuming the criteria are correct). Why should they not be able to donate unused embryos?

[JPJones]

5. But we must throw them into the trashcan

Bubba and I need to another child because four is not enough on $20,000 a year. But the doctor said I'm barren so we are getting in vitro fertilized. Now we're having septuplates, each of whom weighs less than a rib eye steak and has a baked potato for a brain. But using those other embryos for science is wrong, because those scientists are not God fearing people. So let's throw those 50 embryos in the trashcan with the tongue depressors and paper gowns.