(1) It is prudent to act based on the best available scientific evidence. On that basis, we have no reason to question the scientific and medical promise of stem cell research. We know that embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and, given the right stimuli, can be made to develop into each of the about 200 cell types that the human body contains. This is a uniquely useful property for medical research. I don’t see how this line of argument is speculative and dissolves into “mind stuff” and imagination.

(2) Not that this is necessary for my argument, but the embryonic stem cells that I am talking about are harvested from blastocytes that are slated for destruction. Why not put those leftover cells to good use?

(3) And what about the link to the “Ukraine babies in stem cell probe” article that Pensans points us to? First, killing newborns doesn’t get you embryonic stem cells. So whatever slippery slope Pensans is concerned about, it is not the one that I am talking about. Second, by the same logic, shouldn’t we also outlaw, say, organ transplants because of the potential (and the reality!) for abuse?