Stem Cell Spin Unspun

This from today's WSJ on the embryonic stem cells debate, undercutting Gov. Blagojevich's claim that the state of Illinois needs to fund research after President Bush's veto at the federal level:

Our own view is that the embryos from which stem cells are collected have the potential to be -- but are not yet -- human beings. This is the dominant view across U.S. society, which is one reason there is little controversy over fertility treatments, in which embryos are routinely created and discarded. Private stem-cell research on these discarded embryos remains legal, and, contrary to much political spin, private funding is plentiful.

No less than 11 private stem-cell research centers exist across the country; Harvard alone employs more than 100 researchers and has 17 new stem-cell lines. More than 60 U.S. and international companies are pursuing stem-cell research -- from such giants as Johnson & Johnson to start-ups. In 2005, the venture-capital industry put more than $102 million into the stem-cell industry.

Other types of stem cells, adult and umbilical cord, have already yielded promising results without compromising our respect for life. The governor is wrong to force Illinois taxpayers to fund the destruction of human life. Do we really want our corrupt state government trafficking in embryos?

Recent previous posts here and here.

UPDATE: Well, you would think with this news feminists might finally admit men are useful for something...but don't count on it. More likely now they will find even more reason to despise them since this new development undermines the anti-lifers pushing embryonic stem cells. At Forbes. But given the cells' pluripotency our governor might even change his mind.