Ahh the first day of summer brings with it lovely issues
School ended today! :) Party it up.
But before that, how about some lovely discussions. I love arguing so lets get right down to it.
Now as I would hope many of you have been able to realize or hopefully know about me already, I am a very liberal person, therefore I love to give you my opinion and I have a very hard time backing down from my beliefs. I would also like to add that that doesn't mean it's impossible to change my beliefs. If someone points out something tha t is completely obvious to me and it makes sense, then I will change to match that and so on. Now I bet you are wondering what this all has to do with anything. Well in cas e you couldn't tell I'm a major Republican. At least on the serious issues, such as abortion, cloning, and stem cell research. The major case there is abortion.
Now I mostly stick to Republican beliefs not because of my parents (which by the way have split their election votes nearly every time between both parties) but because of the fact that I can't vote in somebody who will then allow abortions to be federally legal. Oh and gay marriage too. That is a religious belief, but I will never stand to let that be legal. The mere thought is repulsing to me. However I will be honest, Republican's have two issues which I absolutely 100% can't agree with. The biggest one in my mind is that they don't conserve the environment. President Bush seems to have no thought of the environment in his policies, which is a pity because the environment is not permanent. It needs to be protected. The other topic is big business, or the fact that Republicans have a bad tendency to forget the little man, and favor big business. I don't agree with that. My point in this post is basically to say what I am and why I am what I am. So then my question to you all is, what are you and why (if you don't want to share why don't, if you don't want to say what then don't.) Thanks for your time.
But before that, how about some lovely discussions. I love arguing so lets get right down to it.
Now as I would hope many of you have been able to realize or hopefully know about me already, I am a very liberal person, therefore I love to give you my opinion and I have a very hard time backing down from my beliefs. I would also like to add that that doesn't mean it's impossible to change my beliefs. If someone points out something tha t is completely obvious to me and it makes sense, then I will change to match that and so on. Now I bet you are wondering what this all has to do with anything. Well in cas e you couldn't tell I'm a major Republican. At least on the serious issues, such as abortion, cloning, and stem cell research. The major case there is abortion.
Now I mostly stick to Republican beliefs not because of my parents (which by the way have split their election votes nearly every time between both parties) but because of the fact that I can't vote in somebody who will then allow abortions to be federally legal. Oh and gay marriage too. That is a religious belief, but I will never stand to let that be legal. The mere thought is repulsing to me. However I will be honest, Republican's have two issues which I absolutely 100% can't agree with. The biggest one in my mind is that they don't conserve the environment. President Bush seems to have no thought of the environment in his policies, which is a pity because the environment is not permanent. It needs to be protected. The other topic is big business, or the fact that Republicans have a bad tendency to forget the little man, and favor big business. I don't agree with that. My point in this post is basically to say what I am and why I am what I am. So then my question to you all is, what are you and why (if you don't want to share why don't, if you don't want to say what then don't.) Thanks for your time.
posted by UncleFluffy at 6/13/2006 10:54:00 AM
60 Comments:
When you say liberal, I'm guessing you mean that you express your ideas openly?
yay environment! It's sad when people don't realize how important it is to take care of our earth. Without it, we can't possibly live.
Woohoo Environmental Science!!!!!
yea environmental science definitely enhanced my environmental beliefs. And yes you are correct with your liberal guess.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I must say that Liberal would be one of the last words to describe you. Unfortunatly, no one at all really cares about those two issues that you disagree agaisnt the republican party.
when you say no one, how do you know that?? do you know everyone??? plus if you can't describe me as Liberal, how would you??
I still have not heard a rational arguement for not allowing gay marriage. Why the government should regulate what people do in the privacy of their home is beyond me.
I'm all for having your own opinion and although I'm against homosexuality I think gay marriage should be legal and i think that abortions should be a womens choice. but I do disagree with many ideas democrats have so don't take me as a democrat. i hate politics in general but i do have my own opinions. and i love drama so i like opinion posts that turn in to fights :-)
see thats one thing about politics. It's not cut and dry. Thats why Lauren's statement of I love and loathe politics is so good. I personally think people change their beliefs based upon the politician doing what they believe is right. I bring this post up because if you think about it, everyone has the opportunity to someday be involved in politics and change the nation as they see fit. Or at least a portion of it. It's best to take a stand on where you sit on certain issues before that point. After all, if I were to ever vote for you, I want to know where you sit. :)
George Washington once said that a two party nation would be the death of us. Yep.
Economic Left/Right: 3.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian:
-5.69
SO basically I like free markets and all that stuff but on social issues I am not as conservative. The problem is the only party that is anything like this is the libertarian and I get stuck voting for the giant douche or turd sandwich. I can vote for Bush who thinks that marriage should be between a man and a woman where the woman makes the man sandwiches and makes babies or for Kerry who... well he sucks.
I pretty much agree with what you said, Jeffrey, because I'm thoroughly Republican because of issues like abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc. but I agree on occasion with the Democrats, like what you said about the environment (they definitely make more of an effort there) and also the death penalty. So right, it's never cut and dry. You have to use your conscience.
I don't get why Kerry always represents the entire Democratic party. He's an a-hole.
im all totally with you with this politics stuff...last election i helped out with the republican party of WI, it was alot of fun, and u get to meet alot of cool ppl....and u get free food at parties! i think u would have alot of fun with that stuff.
Lol at so many people being against gay marriage. I personally don't see how the government should have any ties to marriage at all, but to allow it for straights and not for gays... there is no real rational explanation.
yes, because I actually am racist and sexist. I listen to rap and defend gay marriage, I must be racist and sexist, good deduction
Woah, tention here. Jeff, your blog just brings arguments everytime. And not even between you.
Okay... here is my two cents worth then. If you look back on our history, when have we ever truly stopped to protect the environment as a whole? Never. T. Roosevelt was the only president who really did anything for the environment and he even went hunting, so yes we need to think about the environment for the "first" time as a whole. Stem cell research- could change some things and cure some disease, right? I'm foggy on what it entails so I wont open my mouth on that one. But abortion should lay in the mother's choice. Her body. The baby will go to a better place, and the doctor will end up saving it from our "fallen world".
Now for those of you defending gay marriage, I will say this... If a man and a man/ women and a woman can marry, who says someone can't have two husbands or wives. What stops someone from having three different families? If you legalize gay marriage there will be a whole chain of events leading to the fall of family life. Sure they will be happy for awhile, but the long term will destroy the country.
I'm amazed that no one brought up the death penalty yet or the troops fighting for our very lives right now. Those are still big issues though they have fallen to the wayside. As much as I think killing people is wrong, I support what we are doing in Iraq. The media has demolished the truth about it. We are helping a smaller nation to it's feet. The men in there were NOT drafted. They go over there knowing that they possibly may not come back alive. They go for us, the least we could do is show them some respect for the sacrafice they are willing to give for our safety. The death penalty is fair as long as it is lethal injection. You may find me heartless or anti-christian in saying this, but I beleive if you kill one of god's children, you deserve forgiveness from god only and when you die he may or may not give it to you. If you want to end someone's life, it's wrong and SELFISH and last itme i checked...it wasn't ever your desicion.
I am a tree-huging, troop supporting, eye for an eye, man/woman, conservative.
"I speak for the trees"- The Lorax
I apologize... collen brought up the death penalty. Everyone else just ignored it.
Wait for the next debate post today, in the... ha you have to wait to find out.. :)
For aman: I can dissociate joking about races from reality. Enough said. I don't think I have ever made sexist comments either (I thought you meant homophobic). Listening to rap music means I probably don't actually hate blacks and at the same time I know that all blacks do not fall into a stereotype, and it would be stupid to think they do. We all know all blacks aren't on wellfare, all chinese aren't amazingly smart and all Mexicans aren't illegal border hoppers. Joking about those things doesn't make someone racist unless they truely believe those things.
As for Ciao: I don't see how letting gays marry will lead to multiple wives or any of the other things you mentioned, so that argument is kind of taking a huge leap of faith and is not exactly rational. And lol at it destroying the country, seriously that is funny.
I do agree with you though that the Bush administration focuses on trying to amend the constitution to not let them marry way too much considering the other more important issues like our failing war in Iraq and war on terror. Obviously we differ on this too, but the amount we have actually accomplished over there compared to the amount we have spent would make anyone cringe.
I don't see either how a two men marrying eachother could destroy a whole country either! I think it's their right to mary eachother, and as long as they don't infringe on other people's rights, which they wouldn't be, its fine. Europe made slavery illegal way before the US, and I belive with countries such as England legalizing gay marrige, the same will play out, and in a few years down the road, the US, too, will legalize gay marrige. I think this country needs to get their heads out of their a**es and look at issues from two sides, and stop thinking about just themselves.
Exactly, it is already legalized in other countries and it hasn't destroyed the country. It's just another example of the religious republicans trying to infringe their lifestyle on everyone.
amen kris
to the anonymous who said stop thinking about ourselves... I'm not gonna lie, at the end of the day who do you care about the most??? Ultimately you have to think about yourself when it comes to your opinions. For saying that someone thinks that gay marriage is wrong is only thinking about themselves is a bit naive. They are just voicing how they feel on a topic. Besides, just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they can't see it from the other side, it just helps solidify your side because it gives you the opporunity to prove them wrong or right. They are actually helping you by disagreeing. Look at it from both sides buddy.
I agree, people think about themselves a lot, but that doesn't mean that doesn't mean you should be intolerant of a group or something like that. At the same time you can disagree with something, but until you actually make a rational point against something, your opinion is pretty much null and void. If you say I don't like gay marriage just because, then good luck in your english classes.
Wait, you just told me that thinking from two sides doesn't make much sense, and then you told me to do it anyways. Am I looking at this from too many sides?
Yay smai for actually posting something rational!
One thing I like about the death penalty is that it gets rid of someone who would otherwise cost us tax money. But then we could save a lot of money if we didn't lock up so many non violent criminals.
anonymous what I told you is that if you look at what other people are saying with an open mind, you will see that by disagreeing and taking their own side, they help give you a defense and a cause. You can argue and counter w/e they say, thus giving you an argument. There doesn't necessarily have to be one person who looks at it from both sides, because by human nature people take different sides and that by itself creates various sides to every issue.
Hmmm, well after reading all these lovely responses I noticed nobody really got to deep into the "stem cell research" catergory, so I'll start off with that. First of all, I will admit that I can't really understand how anybody can totally close their minds to stem cell research. How can people actually just throw away a scientific breakthrough that can save the lives of millions of people just because it clashes with their "religious beliefs"? Now, I'm not trying to belittle other people's religions but I really feel that sometimes people just use their religion as an excuse to avoid things that make them uncomfortable. Take homosexuals and gay marriage for example. I can honestly say I've heard people say things like,
"Ewww, that's sick, I would never support gay marriage. Besides I'm catholic so gays are pretty much against my religion."
I am quite serious, someone I know actually said that. Personally, gay people really don't bother me at all unless they are having a mackfest right in front of me, so the whole prospect of gay marriage doesn't get me as fired up as opposed to issues like stem cell research.
---random fact: less than 10% of the population is gay, so how is letting them get married going to destroy our economy? Poor gay people, they get blamed for destroying our economy even before they get the chance to do it.
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So back to stem cells. As I mentioned before, I am pro-stem cell research, but only to a certain extent. I am not for cloning human beings as a whole (that is just creepy and wrong). Things like Xenotransplantation and chimeras I honestly don't see where the scientific or medical benefit is in things like that. I mean come on, someone needs to talk to the Chinese about creating human-rabbit hybrids, that's just sick and wrong.
When I think of stem cell research I am talking about creating lungs and livers for people using their own stem cells. Instead of waiting for some guy to get hit by a semi so you can rush him to the hosptial and corpse-snatch his organs, using a brand new home-grown lung created especially for you,(which will require no anti-rejection meds) seems like such an obvious alternative. I mean yes, in allowing stem-cell research we would definately need to know where to draw the line, (and create a whole new set of laws regulating it), but in the long run it could be exponantially beneficial.
If you say it's "against your religion" to kill off reproductive cells (not babies, cells) as opposed to real, living and breathing human beings who have families and lives to return to, I think you need to get your priorities straight and quit using your religion as a catalyst to chose sides in a political battle.
Besides, even if you do say it's against your religion to use reproductive cells to save people's lives, can't it be argued that it's also against your religion to kill off the people on the operating table? It's one or the other, the cells, or the human beings. You might not want to look at it that way but when it comes down to it, those are your options. Which is more important to you? You can't say neither is more important than the other, that's taking the easy way out. By denying stem cell research, you are killing off all those people who could have used them for a chance at a better life. You are destroying any hope of returning the memory to an Alzheimer's patient, or replacing the skin of a burn victim, or enabling a wheelchair-bound person to walk again. I've chosen human life, and the betterment of their lives over preserving stem cells. I felt like I had to make a decision on this issue and I just couldn't condemn all those people who need this technology to miserable existances and death.
But yeah, moving away from the subject of stem-cells for a moment, you are probably now thinking I am pro-choice for abortion. That is true to and extent, but that subject is harder for me to stand up and take a side on because it's talking about a developed fetus-- something that has actually started its life. I think it should be pro-choice for rape victims, people who are too young to be pregnant (aka 13-year-olds eww), and people who's lives could be endangered by having the baby. Also, I think it should ONLY be pro-choice in the first 5 weeks. Anything after that is a fully developed baby and that's just horrifying to think about aborting. Have you ever seen an aborted fetus after the 1st trimester? It is absolutely the most disgusting, gut-wrenching thing I have ever seen in my entire life, and I have seen some pretty awful things. Some of thost non-abortion sites are sick.
I'm not as lenient about your everyday people getting the option of pro-choice either, I mean, why can't they just have the baby and leave it at the hospital if they don't want it? Abortion is so tricky. If we don't allow abortion, it's just going to cause more people to stick wires up themselves in an attempt to "self abort". Can you beleive people actually do that?
----random fact: Did you know humans and dolphins are the only 2 animals on the planet that have sex for fun? Also, dolphins are supposed to be among the most intelligent species next to humans. Sometimes I wonder if they're not better suited to being the dominant species, I mean, you don't see dolphins sticking wires up themselves when they accidently get eachother pregnant. Then again that might have something to do with the fact that they don't have hands.....
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Right, I'm gonna be done now. ;)
Wow, Kris and Sami are my heros.
You can use old dead cells for stem cell research I believe or something along those lines, you don't have to kill them off. People who don't "believe in" stem cell research are the same ones who "dont believe in" evolution because they live in a cave.
Agreed
Cavemen? haha
HAHHAHAHAHA. No irony intended :D regarding evolution and cavemen.
to Too bored to think. I can understand where you are coming from, but my only question to you is if you are a religious person yourself?? You keep saying stop using your religion to hide behind so as not to take a side on the issue, I don't think you are getting the full picture. I am not using my religion as a blanket or a wall to hide behind, I use my religion as a guide for my beliefs.
Plus with your stem cell research comments, I will grant you the fact that they have had promised results, but how long is it going to take to get the results to the point of success?? For a number of the different diseases that they would work for, it might be cheaper to try teaching people how to better take care of themselves then just fix the problem after they have the disease. I won't deny though that for paralysis cases and other genetic diseases it may be the cure. Although genetically I have a hard time believing that.
Well to answer your first question no, I'm not super religious myself. I'm not an antheist but I guess I'm just a naturally skeptical person and I question the validity of things a lot. I definately have my own spiritual beliefs and I belive in a higher power, but I just don't trust most organized religions. Why are there over thousands of different religions in the world? Whose to say which religion is actually valid, you know? Mostly I'm just not sure I believe in the stories of the bible, seeing as they were creations of humans, and people lie. Moreover, I greatly dislike when people use the phrase "He was such a good christian man," In other peopl's defense. This has almost nothing to do w/ anything but it annoys me. I mean come on, Hitler was a christian too but apparently that didn't count for much.
Anyways, even if I'm not a member of any organized relgions at the moment, I do have my own spiritualty and I like it a lot better than participating in an active religion. It feels more meaningful and it's what's right for me.
But as far as other people being super religious goes, as long as they're not blind to the mistakes of their religious sect, and let their religion cloud their judgement on certain issues, I believe having a strong faith is admirable. Don't get me wrong, I wish I could just accept things like that and be a happy member of a church somewhere, but relgion doesn't work that way for me. People who have that kind of faith are lucky, and I know how important their religion is to them so I don't wanna insult anyone. I suppose what I was trying to say before is that I don't like it when people intermix religion and politics (I wasn't specifying u either jeffery).
But yeah, moving back to the stem cells for a brif moment. How is people "taking better care of themselves" as you put it going to help in any way? Maybe I'm not understanding what you are trying to say. Perhaps you should give an example or something, but I don't see how people adding an extra blanket at night or showering everyday is going to cure parkinsins disease. The benefits of this technology are so huge, and I belive what Kris mentioned before about using inactive, unfertilized stem cell tissue is also an available technology, so it's not like there's only one way to go here. I mean seriously, if you were a doctor in a hospital and there was an 8-year-old girl laying on the table dying of a heart defect and you had the choice of using her stem cells to create a new heart, would you honestly walk up to her and tell her you wouldn't do it because you didn't support stem cell research? It's not just a possibilty anymore either, people have successfully created organs using stem cells, and skin cells can be genetically re-grown on skin grafts (so you don't have to go shaving it off corpses anymore). I'm not sure what you are saying when you say "genetically I have a hard time believing that", because the proof is there. :)
I see you know what you are talking about "blah". Let me specify for you here, I believe that some of the diseases they wish to use stem cells for (diabetes for example) are very much more so preventable. I'm not saying you can't use stem cells for things that are impossible such as paralysis in a car crash. For diabetes though, I think that money that would go to stem cell research would be far better spent educating people on how they can get these diseases and putting in place programs to better their physical shape and so on. That will improve their overall quality of life while also preventing these diseases. If you ask me that will be much more effective then simply reacting to a disease once it is there. My idea is of a preventive nature, rather then a reactive nature.
Plus when it comes to stem cells, they may be able to grow a brand new liver, but then comes the point of the body accepting that liver. Has anyone ever actually inserted a stem cell grown oragn into a human and seen it work??? To my knowledge this has never happened, therefore they can grow and create organs all they want, if the body won't accept them then its all worth nothing. that is what I mean by genetics. If your body doesn't like what's in it, it will destroy it. :)
Well first of all, my dad has diabetes. Yes, I know that the most common form of diabetes, the one you are most likely thinking of, if caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of excercise. But contrary to popular belief, not all diabetes is caused by letting yourself become obese. my dad has what is commonly referred to as "childhood diabetes", meaning he was diagnosed with the disease as an adolescant. He was neither obese or unhealthy at all during his childhood. Due to heredity, he just happened to get saddled w/ a genetic defect causing his pancreas to work incorrectly. I fail to see how a program to partake in a healthier lifestyle could ever cured his diabetes. However, I know that stem cells could (if given the chance).
With the more common form of diabetes, and other health-realated (non-genetic) disorders, I agree with you completely, stem cells would have no benefit. But then again, that's not why we are developing this technoolgy. It's for the people w/ genetic disorders like my dad's, and for people who need stem cells to restore lost body cells and body parts.
Moreover, the whole reason why stem cells are such a brak through, is exactly for the reason you ended your last comment on. If you are creating an organ from your own genetic material, how can your body reject it? That's why using an organ grown from stem cells is so beneficial over using one from a corpse. Ultimately, there is no need for anti-rejection meds. While I'm not sure whether this has been done yet w/ humans, I know that they have done it w/ mice in the lab and had positive results. I know that currently in hospitals they do things like bone marrow transplants using stem cells, and I believe they use them in certain skin grafts, but as for the organs, until Bush leaves office, I don't think they will be allowed to do it abytime soon.
Yeah, as strawberry shortcake said there are many cases where diabetes can't be prevented. You can still keep the person alive and functioning well by having them carefully check their blood sugar levels etc (like Jon mortag). It would be much more convenient if the disease was cured though which is why stem cell research should be used among other reasons.
Where are you going to educate these people worthless knowledge? Plus, stem cell science has already been developed and ready for testing, and ready to be put into action.
All right, how about this, is a mice a human???? Last time I checked they are not. So until you can prove to me that its safe I refuse to accept it. In addition, you raise the point that it will only be used for medical purposes. not going to lie, once its out in the open, it's out in the open, whats to stop athletes from using it in a manner similar to steroids to get perfect organs, or criminals using it to change how they look?? you are only looking at this in one way. It could literally be used to change a person anyway they wished to. If you can control what organs will look like, you can completely change a person.
So does cosmetic surgery. Why is that not banned?
A large number of doctors do not perform cosmetic surgery, I actually know that some of the doctors I have had are very much against cosmetic surgery. They don't believe it's safe. Like I said before, whenever you introduce something new into the human body, the body will fight it, it's just human nature.
That has nothing to do with my point. It doesn't matter how many doctors perform it, but a some SPECIALISTS do, and so the criminals can get it from them. Plus, stem cells are on a whole different level. Most doctors wont be performing stem cell related treatment either. Plus, stem cells aren't just floating around out there for anybody to use, like cosmetic surgery tools are. I think you need to read up a little more on stem cells,.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell
Yeah, and as far as what's stopping regular people from abusing stem cell science if it were made legal, that's what we make laws for Jeffery. Laws stop people from doing things. I'm pretty sure if stem cell medicine was made legal there would be some pretty strict rules placed on it. For example, they would probably make it illegal to alter embryos so you can choose what your kid is going to look like. Not to mention it's not that simple to use stem cells to alter your your appearance purely for cosmetic reasons like you seem to think. Sure, creating new body parts and organs is quite possible, but drastically altering an already existing part of your body is like re-writing a person's entire gentic code. In fact, I'm fairly positive this is currently impossible unless the individual is in the embryonic stage. You should really research this more before just making random remarks like that.
Besides, I never said that I supported every single aspect of stem cell research. In fact, I made it pretty clear that I do NOT support things like gene splicing and experimenting on people. Not to mention, if "criminals" were really desperate enough to resort to stem cells to change their appearance.... do you really think banning stem cells is going to stop them? I mean think about it for a second..... they're criminals. I don't really think the legality would be an issue for them. Moreover, as far as the thing w/ athletes goes, I'm pretty sure that altering their bodies would be classified as "cheating", much like using steroids. Plus, it would be virtually impossible for them to get away with it seeing as their DNA code would have changed, and doctors would catch that right away with a simple blood test. Some of the things you are preposing are currently scientific impossibilites anyways. Stem cells aren't like some magic potion a person can drink to suddenly look like a super-model or run like a cheeta. The only way they could ever be used like this is, I repeat, in the embryonic stage of a fetus.
"So until you can prove to me that its safe I refuse to accept it."
Ahhh, here you say you want people to prove to you that it is safe, meaning that if this were to occur, you would consider altering your views on stem cell research. The question I want to ask you, is how do you expect people to give you the proof you are looking for if you don't even give them the chance to prove it? It's like you are condemning them before they even begin to show you. Don't you think that's being kindof ignorant of you? The only way we're going to get anywhere with this issue is if people are allowed to practice this medicine in the United States. Only then can you get your proof, and I firmly believe you will get it.
Plus, after your eyes are finally opened to the wonders of stem cells, everything in life will be 10 times more amazing. The sky will be 10 shades bluer, flowers will be 10 times more colorful, chocolate pudding will taste 10 times as good, and little baby bunnies will feel 10 times as fuzzy. You may even choose to frolick in field of daffodils because your joy will be so bounless. Although, if this kind of frolicking should actually occur, I'd be kinda freaked out by you. Just a heads-up.
Lol, I didn't read everything strawberry wrote, but for Jefrrey, I doubt a criminal would use stem cell research to change their appearance. There are much simpler less expensive ways.
Strawberry shortcake, I think you are missing a critical point here. You said in yours, think about it, they are criminals. Then you also said that it would have strict laws in place restricting stem cell usage. Well clearly since criminals follow every law that will just stop them there. Clearly.
Steroids are banned in sports now, yet athletes still use them all the time. Plus there are ways to mask these things.
I would also like to point out one thing to you strawberry shortcake, I never said I was against stem cell research, I only state I am against stem cell usage. There's a difference there. With research you are using the cells to see how you can fix the body, with usage, you are using the cells to actually physically alter the body. Thats not right to me. you are how you are for a reason. Who are we to mess with God/fate??
And one other thing Strawberry shortcake, your genetic code can be altered daily, as a matter of fact it is altered daily. In case you didn't realize, cancer is a system of cells that reproduce in an out of control manner forming a tumor and cutting off nutrients to body organs. In case you also didn't realize, cancer cells are formed nearly every second in your body. Technically speaking your bodies DNA is breaking down and changing every second then. So not only is it quite possible, it has gone on for as long as man has existed.
And just another piece of the record, altering one piece of the body is nowhere near like changing the entire genetic code. Only an idiot would believe that. Every detail of your body is described in small little protein connections known as amino acids. When two amino acids connect you get the body traits you have, and there are literally billions of these connection which make up your DNA and yourself. It doesn't take much to change a small bit of human body tissue, just change one protein strand . Thats not changing the entire genetic code now then is it.
And for the record Mark, Wikipedia is a terrible source of information. If you ever used that in school they would actually fail you. Just for the record.
And one other thing, a simple blood test does not reveal a change in a DNA pattern. It takes a full electron scanning microscope to spot that, not just a simple blood test. however, if you don't have someones original DNA on hand, how can you tell if its changed?? Not quite so easy.
oh and for my last little bit of remark to you shortcake, isn't it a bit ignorant to just assume that stem cell research will make the world 10 times better?? :P
Well, good thing I'm not in school right now! Jeff, face it, its your own blog and everyone has turned against you on it. Just go frolick through some flowers. Lol- bad image.
lol, wow, you certainly said a lot.
After re-reading my last post I can see where you could jump to the conclusion that I don't understand how DNA works, I wasn't clear enough on certain things. But that doesn't mean I'm not taking these things into consideration. I understand it's possible to manipulate DNA, but the topic I was skeptical on was the possibilty of using stem cells in this process. I think you are misinterperating some of what I was saying, (and again) I admit that this is partially my fault for not specifying. I have a tendency to type a lot so I was trying to be brief and left certain things out.
I understand that DNA has a natural tendency to alter from day to day, and I know about cancer's effects on the human body, but that's a far-cry from what I was trying to communicate earlier. Actually I'm not sure how you jumped to that conclusion, but I was talking specifically about stem cells and the role they play w/ people's genetic make-up. I know they have DNA strands all mapped out now, and that scientists have been able to do various things to manipulate it. I'm not saying that this is an impossibilty at all. What I meant was that it's an impossibilty to use stem cells to just randomly change someone's appearance w/out it effecting their genetic make-up. It's easier to grow things "new" from stem cells, not "alter" using stem cells. That's basically what I was trying to say, I hope that is "somewhat" clearler? I don't know, I'm probably just confusing you-- I'm starting to confuse myself!
Oh, and w/ the blood test thing, I probably over-simplified it-- there is some technical lab work involved too. I thought that kindof went without saying though..... I guess not?
But either way, I wasn't trying to insult you or anything. You get kinda vicious over this stuff ...it's not like I'm an expert on stem cells, I'm just trying to pass on what I've been led to understand from random newspaper articles and magazines. Lol, I guess I'll just be quiet and let other people comment from now on, I'm afraid to post again cause you might eat me. Good topic though, I liked it.
--haha, yeah that is a bad image. It's fun though. Try it!
wikipedia is actually been proven to be a good source for science among other things and is actually very similar to other not free encyclopedias. As for criminals using stem cell research, it would take millions of dollars to do and the common criminals wouldn't ever be able to use it. Masterminds might eventually be able to use them but assuming that takes a huge leap of faith.
Going back to you saying that people need to prevent certain diseases, I am offended by that. Other people already covered that, though, so I won't go on with it.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Do you actually think Joe Shmoe can just randomly get a hold of microscopic cells and regrow them so as to alter his apearance? Do you understand what it takes to clone stem cells and do everything involved with that? The equipment necessary? It will never be possible for the average person to accomplish that. Just like it won't be possible for people to perform heart surgery in their homes on their family members.
People's DNA's don't change enough for two tests taken years apart to be significantly different. Your DNA is your DNA, how else could they use it as absolute proof in criminal cases?
Or paternal tests on Maury. Hee hee ;-)
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Jeff. . . you are NOT the father. hehe
Do you understand what it takes to clone stem cells and do everything involved with that? The equipment necessary? It will never be possible for the average person to accomplish that.
eileen... these are criminals we are talking about. I wouldn't define them as average and if they are willing to possibly kill and do other illegal things, you don't think they would be willing to steal the technology capable of making them more difficult to catch??
And while they're at it, why not get a degree in Biology and spend a few years in a stem cell lab learning how to accomplish that? I mean, it's not too much of a hassle to do that is it?
Really, if any criminals were going to use stem cell technology to alter their appearances, it would be a very, very small percentage. Most of these people are not criminal masterminds capable of using advanced medical technology.
The only possibility of criminals doing something that I could ever think of is an extremely rich criminal who is willing to hire scientists and what not to do all of the work for him and change his appearance. That isn't very likely. And you're only argument against stem cell research is that criminals might be able to use it, that is kind of weak.
Jeff, I hate to admit it, but I would not be able to master the technology of stem cells at this moment, but at this moment, I belive I would be able to kill someone. (Though I would NEVER!) Just because they're stupid enough to kill, doesn't mean they're smart enough to master stem cells. Plus its not jsut a matter of stealing technology. You can't go to McDonalds and order a side of stem cell changes with that Big Mac. haha. But really, you'd have to kidnap doctors, and steal equipment, the acctual stem cells. Let them grow to form the desired new body part, and months later, and millions of dollars, then maybe you could fail at this whole thing in the end. I'm pretty sure if a criminal would read this, they'd laugh their a**es off at the idea. No Offense.
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