Stem Cell Radio

Rick Weiss, science reporter for “The Washington Post”

Dr. John Gearhart, professor of medicine and director of the stem cell program at Johns Hopkins University

Dr. William Hurlbut, physician and consulting professor at the Neuroscience Institute at Stanford University Medical Center; member of the President’s Council on Bioethics

For the most part, the conversation was respectful and informative, albeit it was (typically) two-against-one. But, I resent Gearhart’s claiming that opposing his view—full federal funding of ESCR—will cost lives. One could also say, as some do, that every dime put into ESCR is money that is not available for adult stem cell research, where, some believe, the greater potential for clear and more immediate therapeutic benefits can be found, and that therefore, his views will cost lives. But that would be wrong, too.

People in this debate should be free to promote their views without being accused falsely of “costing people lives.” Indulging such scare mongering is to hit below the belt and to disrespect the democratic process.