The issue of stem cell research is much larger than John Kerry or George Bush anyway. Neither one of them have the power or capability to allow or prevent it. The medical community, Congress, and public sentiment on the issue are all far more powerful. On top of that, research is just that....research. There aren't any solutions to diabetes on the horizon, and even if there was groundbreaking progress in that direction, your Fiance wouldn't benefit from it in her lifetime.

It doesn't really have any effect on your fiance regardless of which candidate lives in the white house.

I have diabetes in my family as well, so I understand your frustration, but frankly, John Kerry isn't the answer for a cure for Diabetes.

Well said..

agreed

Jesus is!

I think an important point to consider (and I'm just adding to this-probably against my better judgement)--when you discuss stem cell research, which I don't pretend to have much knowledge about, the debate gets caught up in where exactly the stem cells come from. Stem cells which come from fetuses, fertilization techniques and what not are ones which everyone has to come to a personal judgement call on. We hear about this type of stem cell because they are the most controversal and are the easiest to use, change and reproduce.
The thing that doesn't get put in the news much, and something I think very few people are opposed to (including Bush, maybe, I'm not sure) is the use of stem cells which can be obtained from human tissues which do not involve the termination of any sort of life. These though are harder and more costly to obtained and are often speciallized type cells already.
Either way, but especially with the first type of stem cell research, I believe we are openg a huge can of worms and one I'm not sure we are ready to deal with the ethical reprocussions of.

The difference is that Senator Kerry will put federal funds towards stem cell research and President Bush won't, so, in that respect, it matters very much which candidate is in the White House.

And, again, the question is really whether we use the left over stem cells from fertilization techniques or let them be incinerated.

it seems as though the can of worms is already opened! lol, we've got quite a hotspot here. i just want to reiterate to strangelove that we mean nothing personal toward you or your fiance.

Yes! I'm totally with you on that. I'm sorry if you at all think that any of this is at all personal, but it'* not meant that way at all. The fact of the matter is that I have had people in my life who suffer from diabetes, and would like nothing more then to se something done to help them. I just believe we need to be very careful about how we proceed, medicine as it is has already crossed some very questionable ethical lines, this is one I'm not sure we should cross.

Senator Kerry says he wants to do that, but he still has Congress to deal with. It won't matter at that point, because as a majority, Congress opposes it. That'* the end of that. And again, it won't make a difference in your Fiance'* lifetime anyway. Maybe for your children or grandchildren.

The leftover stem cells from fertilization attempts? That'* the problem. It opens a back door for un-regulated use. This would increase the production of fetus'* under that 'umbrella' excuse. There are arguments on both sides that could go on for days, but the fact remains that John Kerry can and will do nothing for your Fiance'* health.

But as I stated before, I do wish the best for both of you. I suggest you read some independent sources on this research, and not be swayed by political opinion on the issue.

I know no one means any harm to my fiance and I. I just wanted to share with you guys what an important issue it is to us. Watch that video I linked to on top, it is only 30 seconds!