The authors of the study polled 2,210 infertility patients across the country, asking what they intended to do with extra embryos currently in cryogenic storage. Previous estimates were that only around 3 percent would choose to donate extra embryos to research, but to the authors' surprise, 60 percent said they would donate if that option were available. By contrast, only 22 percent of the patients said they were willing to donate the embryos to other couples.
This is an interesting piece of information. Of course, with Bush in office, it really does no good. I am consistently disappointed in what appears to be a lack of critical thinking when Bush pulls out the veto pen. The veto of the most recent stem cell bill seems to actually go against his views in my opinion. His big stance is not destroying human life for research. The bill he just vetoed was propositioning for the use of the extra embryos created for IVF (in vitro fertilization)in stem cell research. This is a process that generates more embryos than a couple will ever need. Thus, the excess embryos go into cryogenic storage *indefinitely*. So Bush had two options...allow the embryos to be kept in storage (where they will most likely never see the light of day), or allow these embryos to be used for research that has the potential to ease the suffering of thousands of people. And he chose to keep them in storage....which in my opinion is a waste of potential human life. Chances are, these embryos will never be brought to full term...but their life could be dedicated to helping others with devastating diseases. Bah...thats frustrating. |