It's the End of the World As We Know It... And I Feel Fine

I'm going to start off by saying that I am absolutely pleased with the results of the election.  Obama won the presidency and proposal 2 passed.  However, I can't get over the ridiculous over reaction of McCain supporters.  Some of the status' on facebook I've seen lately have made me shake my head:

Joe watched in silence as a nation fell, slaughtering it's own people, stealing from the accomplished, putting skin color above intelligence, and sacrificing hope.

Joseph feels very very sick. The state of Michigan is officially evil, and the U.S. is in trouble.

Mary is sick to my stomach over this. We are in huge trouble. God, have mercy on our country.

Now, most of the negative status' that I've seen are from the single issue (abortion) voters.  So because prop 2 passed and we elected a president who doesn't have the most ideal views on abortion, there is no hope in the country and we're doomed?  There's people who seriously believe Barak is going to put on a turban, and that he will let the terrorists into our country and everyone will get shot.  Really now?  Come on.

I was at work today taking a little break surfing facebook when out of nowhere, a guy I used to play baseball with popped out of nowhere on facebook chat:

Matt

why did you want proposal 2 to pass

2:59pmDavid

the possibility that it can find cures

3:00pmMatt

but they will kill babies to do it

3:01pmDavid

"Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos by in vitro fertilization. A greater number of embryos are produced than are necessary or suitable for implantation resulting in "excess" embryos."...

""Fertility patients have four options for these embryos," said Jill Roof, CRC research associate. "They can store them, donate them to others seeking fertility treatment, discard them as medical waste, or donate them to research. If Proposal 2008-02 passes, Michigan scientists will be able to conduct research using donated embryos and derive their own embryonic stem cells rather than relying on those from other states that may not meet their needs." (http://www.crcmich.org/election/index.html)"

3:02pmMatt

not all of the embryos will be from vitro fertilization

besides that wont those still become babies too

3:04pmDavid

what makes you so sure that not all are from in vitro fertilization?

3:04pmMatt

I just know that abortion is legal so what do you think they are going to do with all of the embryos

3:06pmDavid

taken from the proposed constitutional amendment:

b) The human embryos were created for the purpose of fertility treatment
and, with voluntary and informed consent, documented in writing, the
person seeking fertility treatment chose to donate the embryos for
research; and
(i) the embryos were in excess of the clinical need of the person
seeking the fertility treatment and would otherwise be discarded
unless they are used for research; or
(ii) the embryos were not suitable for implantation and would otherwise
be discarded unless they are used for research.

so, they're only coming from donations.

3:07pmMatt

just because it says it in the ammendment doesnt mean that is the only way they will get them

what if they are donated from an abortion clinic

3:10pmMatt

I dont know it just kind of scares me

3:10pmDavid

The proposed constitutional amendment would:...

• Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell
division begins.
• Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.
• Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future
therapies and cures.

emphasis on the 14 days after cell division part

3:11pmMatt

but does that mean before the 14 days that it wont become a human

it still would become a human

3:12pmDavid

i'm not arguing with that. That just pretty much seals the deal that they're not coming from abortion clinics.

3:12pmMatt

ok

3:13pmDavid

my argument on the whole thing is that it's better than just tossing the embryos that aren't being used.

so they're not going to be growing anyways

3:14pmMatt

Where do these discarded embryos come from anyways

3:14pmDavid

"Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos by in vitro fertilization. A greater number of embryos are produced than are necessary or suitable for implantation resulting in "excess" embryos."...

3:15pmMatt

oh I see what you are saying

I just dont see why they dont use adult stem cells

3:17pmMatt

they havent found any cures from embryonic stem cell research

3:17pmDavid

yet

3:18pmMatt

i think they are too unstable

3:18pmDavid

you gotta keep in mind that science is ever advancing. Just because they haven't found anything yet doesn't mean they should give up.

3:18pmMatt

I just am scared that they will start doing the vitro fertilization for this purpose

only

i know it says the left over ones

Now really people.  I think you need to do a bit more of an argument than "It's killing babies."  Otherwise you just look like a fool when you toss out a "fact" (Embryos are coming from abortion clinics) that gets shot down with an actual fact (aborted embryos are unsuitable for research and they're coming from fertility clinics).  

"I just don't see why they don't use adult stem cells"

They do use adult stem cells currently in research, but adult stem cells come from bone marrow and are already more "specialized" stem cells that can only become blood cells but the embryonic ones can become anything that's why they're more useful. (Thanks Bethany.)

All I can say is that I don't anticipate the Apocalypse will be happening anytime soon.