John Kass on Stem Cell Research
Jesus did his best teaching with word pictures.
It’s the technique of all the best teachers.
Today, John Kass has a column about stem cell research that is like no other commentary on the subject that you will ever read.
Your thoughts?
Also posted at McHenry County Blog.
10 comments:
Well, if you consider an adult man -- a husband and father of two children -- the moral equivalent of a frozen embryo, then I suppose Kass has a point. Of course, we should then ban ALL embryonic stem cell research, including the research on embryonic stem cells that the Bush administration has already funded, and all private research as well.
I just watched Josh Bolten (W's Chief of Staff) struggle with answering these questions on Meet the Press. Press Secretary Tony Snow said that the President considers the destruction of an embryo "murder." When Tim Russert pressed Bolten on the consequences of this statement, Bolten had to do a pretty amazing song-and-dance about how it's difficult to know where to draw the line on these questions.
Kass pretends to have the same moral clarity as Tony Snow. Neither, though, addresses the underlying issue that many of us see the moral status of an embryo -- especially one in vitro -- as different than the moral status of a human being.
Even as a person who supports stem cell research, I was quickly impressed by John's column. It is one of the best columns that he has ever written, and at the risk of agreeing with Cal, it indeed sets forth an unique platform by which to frame the issue. One does not need to agree with an author in order to appreciate when they have set forth a compelling submission. Kass did an excellent job today. Not good enough to change my mind by any stretch, but an excellent job nevertheless.
Well, this 'word picture' hasn't got a lot to do with the current issue of ESCR, but not everyone does well on the analogies section of the SAT, Cal. It's not even clear for most people - above, The Other Anonymous gets it wrong - the story isn't about the life of the father, it's about the life of his kids. A drowning adult full grown man is going to pull a 12 year old to his death. A sick adult is going to consume however many embryos it takes to get better. (How about the word picture painted by the South Park guys of (then alive) Christopher Reeve )
I'm against ESCR because I'm against human cloning. Bush's 2001 decision on funding was about the best compromise between the 2 different views of this that could be got. Neither side was 'happy'.
I think we would be a lot closer to federal funding on ESCR if it's proponents had been better actors in the meantime. (Not that it matters, the states have stepped in, especially California..) Politicians and journalists have been imprecise and deceptive; constantly using 'stem cell(s)' when they MEAN 'embryonic stem cell(s)'. Blago press release - "Governor’s action comes one day after Pres. Bush shuts down hope of federal funding for stem cell research". A Flat out lie on it's face. Politicians and journalists either don't know the difference, or they're deliberately ommitting the difference - neither of which lends to credibility and trust on the issue.
And of the fraudulent Korean numbers-cooking 'scientist', we shall not speak...
I used to like John Kass when he thought his job was to take on corruption. Now he thinks his job is to defend the timeless values of the old white South Side against secular liberalism. Please go back to writing about Mayor Daley, John.
And, thank you, Hon. John Fritchey, for acting as a textbook example to my above point about politicians who blur the line on stem cells.
"...as a person who supports stem cell research..."
Everyone supports 'stem cell research'. It's the embryonic stem cell research that is controversial.
Be clear, Representative Fritchey - are you in favor of embryonic stem cell research? If I don't support embryonic stem cell research does that mean I don't support stem cell research?
11:49 am Anonymous:
A drowning adult full grown man is going to pull a 12 year old to his death. A sick adult is going to consume however many embryos it takes to get better.
Sigh. Embryos are used to create stem cell lines; a sick person will not require embryos, but will require stem cells that are replicated from the stem cell lines.
Nevertheless, I think I understand the analogy that Kass tries to make -- and its main flaw is that it treats human beings as the moral equivalent of frozen embryos.
But even so, the story ends up contradicting itself as an argument against embryonic stem cell research. Kass's father is saved by his sons, despite his pleas to the sons to stay away and not place themselves in danger. Is the better result here the death of Kass Sr.?
I think the story is a good parable, but not about stem cells.
Anonymous (whoever you may be),
Yes I support embryonic stem cell research as it is being presently debated. Clear enough?
We should clone Jon Burge and create an Army of Supercops to fight crime and go to Iraq.
Thank you Representative.
I am in Shimkus' district but I'm sure there are people like me in your district who would in the future appreciate you drawing that line between controversial and non-controversial SCR when it's relevant.
Your welcome. The sad irony is that many many people on both sides of the issue don't bother to understand the issue enough to even justify their position. They just go on knee-jerk presumptions.
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