Friday, November 03, 2006

World Series MVP Eckstein Enters Stem Cell Debate


Count World Series MVP David Eckstein among the athletes entering Missouri's political fray...The Cardinals' shortstop joins pitcher Jeff Suppan in a new print ad opposing Amendment 2, which addresses stem cell research...The trio of ballplayers, who call themselves "athletes with moral convictions," say that, among other things, the "fine print" of Amendment 2 would allow for the cloning of human beings...Cardinals' Shortstop Joints Debate on Amendment 2, St. Louis Post Dispatch, 11/3/2006

It's nice to see an athlete do something besides ingratiate himself with the public. Eckstein has set off a fury in Missouri. The stem cell debate, which proponents for unrestricted research claim is straightforward, is not quite so simple. For one, not one disease has been cured by stem cell resarch in countries where unrestricted research is conducted. For another, the list of supporters for unrestricted stem cell research always includes the usual list of pro-abortion organizations, including Planned Parenthood. What exactly has abortion got to do with it? Funny you should ask -- where do you think the stem cells will come from? That's why you will hear the bizarre claim by Planned Parenthood that restricting stem cell research is an effort to restrict abortion. Further, there is convincing research being done with adult stem cells, suggesting that there is no need for fetal stem cells at all, except to provide the pro-abortion forces with a "moral" argument for their cause. Eckstein may be off the mark, as claimed, about what Amendment 2 might end up supporting, but it's good to see someone in the battle, especially someone with a lot to lose. Putting your convictions on the line has nothing to do with getting prior approval from political polling organizations, a lesson that the junior Senator from New York might examine.

Luther

Luther

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