Update: Here’s the first show.
This week, President Obama overturned the Bush Administration’s ban on funding embryonic stem cell research. Scientists were ecstatic. Among the happy eggheads is University of Minnesota, Morris professor and science blogging sensation PZ Myers. He’ll join us.
Pro-life and religious activists are, to say the least, none too pleased with Obama’s decision. We’ll also hear from them, as Texas Right to Life has graciously agreed to send a spokesperson. Update: Appearing with PZ will be Dr. Ray Bohlin, President of Probe Ministries and a molecular biologist.
Remember, Partisan Gridlock premiers this Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00pm CST on KPFT, 90.1-FM, Houston. You can listen live on the web at http://www.kpft.org/.
Obama’s decision to reverse Bush’s stem cell order will also be the subject of this week’s KPFT News weekly wrap-up. It looks like we’ll have Republican Congressman Pete Olson to tell us why the president is wrong. Second guest is not yet booked. The weekly wrap airs on Fridays between 5:00 and 5:30pm on KPFT.
In the meantime, here’s a taste of the debate. First is President Bush defending his decision to maintain a ban on embryonic stem cell research:
[youtube R3XH-U_t54M]
Next is President Obama, explaining his decision to overturn Bush’s ban:
[youtube ur3guvUobWY]
Finally, a dramatization of the controversy:
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Update: Listen live here Wednesday at 10:00pm CST.
Are Embryonic Stems Cells self aware? No! So they are *NOT* people. The potential to become something is not equivalent to being that thing.
And please spare me the religious mumbo jumbo that these cells have souls or some such nonsense. It’s really way past time for humanity to grow up and take some responsibility for our actions without having to relying on bronze age mythology and good luck charms.
Wow, that Ray Bohliun is a bona-fide mouth-breathing knuckle-dragging fundie Christard, check out his wiki.
Should be fun, I’ll be tuned in, PZ is a buddy of mine.
I agree. No way are stem cells even close to fetuses or people. They are called Stem Cells because they are cells. Cells are NOT people nor are they even fetuses. They are caught before they diffferentiate making them Cells. Cells Cells Cells Cells. Get it you idiots?
OK rant over
Have a great week all.
By the way Google Stem Cells. Very nice goings on. Absolutely fantastic what is going on. Watch the kid with muscular dystrophy WALK. Something the religious would deny us. Fudg em.
I agree mostly with Ray. But, my hypocritical nature, and nature in general, makes me ignore his mostly rational reasons (despite the previous comments on this blog proclaim), and go ahead with funding and research.
Back in the “dark ages” we pulled people from the grave to figure out what was going on. Was that immoral… sure it was, but it had to be done. Are we killing a living functioning entity in this case? Sure we are. Can’t deny it, you can call Ray any name you want but if you try to deny that those cells aren’t functioning then you are lying to yourself.
My point is that yes, we need to play God on this. We will in fact decide who lives and who doesn’t at a micro scale so that we can help those at a macro scale. Nature does the same thing every month, we just only notice the macro.