Yes, I will go for it. Buddhism's stand on therapeutic cloning is that if the stem cells obtained from the embyros are intended to be used for saving lives or finding cures for diseases, then it is acceptable. As a Buddhist, one might say that I would naturally be inclinded towards supporting such a stand. However, I would like to make it clear that I do not support the stand blindly, for I have made an independent assessment of the logic behind the stand and found it to be rational, logical and yet morally sound. Other religious groups have differing stands on the issue of therapuetic cloning. For example, the Catholics are strongly opposed to therapeutic cloning as they believe that life begins at the instant of conception and thus destroying embyros is tantamount to murder.
So much for the religious and moral viewpoints, now let's consider the issue from a scientific viewpoint. If science is to make progress, we must be daring to try new things and explore the unknown, but of course we must also be rational and exhibit good judgement in our quest to discover the unknown. Thus, science should not always give in to moral and religious opposition. As history have shown, religious views are not always correct. Take Galileo for example, he was killed because he believed that the Earth revolved around the Sun while the Catholic Church thought otherwise. Thus, my point is that science should not always give in to moral and religious viewpoints. Therefore, despite what others might say about therapeutic cloning, I will still support it and use it if need be.
(Definition of therapeutic cloning: Therapeutic cloning is a technique that would be used to produce cloned embryos, but only to create stem cells that can in turn be used to repair damaged or defective tissue in the parent of the cloned cells. Such stem cells could theoretically be used to grow replacement livers or hearts (or any of a variety of organs) for transplant without fear of rejection. They might be used to create healthy nerve cells for people with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Skin cells could be derived from cloned stem cells for burn victims.)
Monday, May 23, 2005
Sunday, May 01, 2005
GM Food
Scenario 1
1．As one of the country’s decision makers, would you advocate the use of GM crops? Why or why not?
The use of genetically modified (GM) crops meant that we have already taken the first step down the slippery slope of genetic engineering and there is no turning back Scientists claim that using GM crops can boost yields, reduce use of pesticide, create more nutritious food and a multitude of other benefits. In light of the ever-growing global population, GM crops are poised to bring about the second agricultural revolution to meet the burgeoning food demands of the future. However, GM crops are relatively new inventions, and thus their effects on human health and the environment are not yet fully known. Advocating the use of GM crops without any restriction may engender undesirable consequences. Thus, if I am one of my country Singapore’s decision makers, I would advocate the use of GM crop, but there will be a system of strict regulations in place to minimize the detrimental consequences of using GM crops.
Scenario 2
2． Would you buy products that contain GM foods for consumption by your family? Why or why not?
I will buy products that contain GM food for consumption by my family as these foods have undergone rigorous checks and tests by the Arigfood Agency of Singapore. If we look at the food that we consume, we will realize that most of them contain GM food. This means that we have already been consuming GM food for quite some time, but there have been no reports about anyone suffering from health-related problem due to the consumption of such food. Nevertheless, we must not be too quick to dismiss all the concerns about the adverse effects on health due to long-term consumption of GM food. Studies have shown that animals fed with GM food suffered adverse health effects and this is prove that GM food is not totally safe. However, before we ban GM food, we should step back and take a look at the effect of a non-GM food diet. Studies have also shown that eating too much of something will cause harmful effects on our health. Thus, we should keep an open mind about GM food.
1．As one of the country’s decision makers, would you advocate the use of GM crops? Why or why not?
The use of genetically modified (GM) crops meant that we have already taken the first step down the slippery slope of genetic engineering and there is no turning back Scientists claim that using GM crops can boost yields, reduce use of pesticide, create more nutritious food and a multitude of other benefits. In light of the ever-growing global population, GM crops are poised to bring about the second agricultural revolution to meet the burgeoning food demands of the future. However, GM crops are relatively new inventions, and thus their effects on human health and the environment are not yet fully known. Advocating the use of GM crops without any restriction may engender undesirable consequences. Thus, if I am one of my country Singapore’s decision makers, I would advocate the use of GM crop, but there will be a system of strict regulations in place to minimize the detrimental consequences of using GM crops.
Scenario 2
2． Would you buy products that contain GM foods for consumption by your family? Why or why not?
I will buy products that contain GM food for consumption by my family as these foods have undergone rigorous checks and tests by the Arigfood Agency of Singapore. If we look at the food that we consume, we will realize that most of them contain GM food. This means that we have already been consuming GM food for quite some time, but there have been no reports about anyone suffering from health-related problem due to the consumption of such food. Nevertheless, we must not be too quick to dismiss all the concerns about the adverse effects on health due to long-term consumption of GM food. Studies have shown that animals fed with GM food suffered adverse health effects and this is prove that GM food is not totally safe. However, before we ban GM food, we should step back and take a look at the effect of a non-GM food diet. Studies have also shown that eating too much of something will cause harmful effects on our health. Thus, we should keep an open mind about GM food.
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