Stem Cell Research

March 31, 2006

Stem Cells SCR is all the rage as the new hope of the medical industry. It’s pretty cool technology that you should be familiar with.

The hubbub about SCR seems to come from the conservative right which has a problem using fetuses to “harvest” stem cells. The conservatives are quick to point out that stem cells can be obtained from after birth placentas & even some teeth.

A quick review of SCR flash presentation will demonstrate that doctors are taking stem cells from babies when they only are 5 cells.

Which begs the question, When does a fetus have a soul? Or when does a group of cells constitute a fetus? a baby? I think there are three distinct stages of fetal development to look at.

Weeks 40-32 the baby has fully developed and can be born with relatively low risk. The Bible certainly makes a case that babies in this time frame would have a soul. Luke 1:39-45 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Weeks 32-20. Week 20 is the start of brain development & most organs have been formed. Does a fetus have a soul at this time? I think so. A pattern of development has been set forth by DNA. I would argue that the map DNA provides is created by God and a 20 week old fetus would have a soul.

Weeks 0-12 is known to be the riskiest time for fetus progression. This is why most couples wait three months prior to making a pregnancy announcement. Miscarriage is pretty common these days. The fetus is a conglomerate of random cells that have just started growing.

Do 5 cells constitute an unborn child? Personally I’m not sure. I hope you’ll post an opinion. At the end of the day we could be curing a great many ailments with stem cells but because doctors are being stubborn about using the cells of placentas and teeth and the conservative right is stubborn about giving in to the debate, more people are dying and suffering needlessly.

Filed Under Politics

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Play Ball

March 30, 2006

We’re days away from the WORLD CHAMPION WHITE SOX taking the field again. How cool was last year? Going 11-2 in the playoffs was sweet. The highlight of the whole playoff run was watching game two of the World Series at Andy K’s house. Half of Kevorka (my football team) and Joe R showed up to be with Andy (a fellow Sox fan). Andy had just broken his jaw in two places and busted his knee up pretty good too (ACL & PCL) the week prior. We did our part to cheer Andy up and boy… did the Sox deliver. Game 2 will probably go down as my all time favorite baseball game EVER. Sox down 2-4 bases juiced and up walks Konerko

THUD the only grand slam in series history puts the Sox up 6-4.

Houston, desperate to get their first win, ties up the game 6-6. Bottom of the 9th one out Scotty Pods, who’s only hit 1 homer all season steps in the box.

One last highlight or lowlight you might say was watching Andy eat a piece of Rosati’s pizza through a straw.

Kenny Williams made so many trades in the office season. I think only 66% of last years team is on this year’s roster. I’m excited to see what Jim Thome brings to the team. I hope he says healthy. I’m definitely predicting a repeat. The starting staff is second to none with 5 starters that would all be #1 or #2 guys on any other staff.

Sorry Cub fans but it looks like the Cubs are going to suck yet again. Prior & Woods are already on the DL. I really like the addition on Juan Pierre but unless Prior & Woods both have 15+ win seasons forget ’bout it.

Isn’t baseball too long? 162 games stinks. The season needs to be reduced 25%. Another annoying thing about baseball is Barry Bonds. Who cares if he juiced. He’s a pud.

Filed Under Sports

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Amazing!!!

March 29, 2006

Wafa Sultan has incredible courage.

Filed Under Politics

Idol

March 28, 2006

Yes, I’m a closet Idol fan. I can’t deny it anymore. Actually I’m a reality TV junkie. Survivor, Idol, Apprentice are my favorites.

This season of Idol has been pretty good. Here’s the run down of the last 10.

Ace: His falsetto is good but his singing is bad. He should go soon.
Bucky: I really like his unassumptive personality. I don’t think he’s got enough talent to crack the top 5.
Elliott: Amazing voice but kind of a dud. Anastasia thought it was a good look for him when he moved the microphone up to cover up his jacked up teeth.
Katharine: Is it me or is she losing weight before our very eyes? She looks better each week and this gal can sing! She’s a top 5 finisher.
Kellie: I liked her version of “something to talk about”. I don’t understand Simon comparing her to Carrie Underwood. Kellie’s not attractive and her singing is lacking.
Lisa: No idea how she’s held on this long. She goes home tonight.
Mandisa: Top 4 finisher maybe the next Idol. WoW what a voice. In the end doubt she’ll finish #1 because of her size (just keepin’ it real). I look forward to her singing every week.
Paris: I have to admit I totally did not like Paris to start off with. Mainly because I felt she was advancing due to her pedigree. However I have to give her props her version of “fever” was off the hook! Top 4 finisher.
Taylor: He reminds of a nicer goofier George Clooney. I like Taylor. He brings it every week. I doubt he’ll be the Idol but he’ll make the top 5. Very entertaining.
Chris: And the next American Idol is… Chris Daughtry! His version of “Wanted Dead or Alive & Walk the Line” were the highlights of Idol so far. I’m curious if he’ll sing outside his alternative style at all. But if he doesn’t that would be fine with me. I’d really like to see him sing Alive’s “I Alone“ or cover some Nickelback and U2.

Filed Under Randomness

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Yellow

March 27, 2006

When Brandon has had a rash we’ve been using name brand ointments to sooth and heal Brandon’s skin. We happen to run out about a month ago and turned to Vaseline, which was actually more effective. Anyways, Brandon really starting liking the stuff. Each application he would say “yellow, more yellow” over and over. He calls it yellow cuz the jar has a yellow label and lid. I didn’t think much of it other then it was really cute.

Last Sunday morning Anastasia & I were chillin’ in the crib watchin’ tube. Brandon was playing quietly for about an hour, which is not unusual. Even though he’s only 26 months he’s reading books and there’s times he plays and reads on his own for an hour at a time. Anyways we kinda lost track of him and runs into the room yelling “YELLOW!!!!”

YELLOW

After a good laugh we through Brandon in the tub. Cleaning Vaseline off your child is no small task. We had to change the water out five times. His hair took a couple days to get back to normal.

Filed Under Family Life

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