Australia 7 News recently reported on the fact that British scientists are making impressive ground in the effort to create artificial blood, eliminating the need for donors.
Sadly, embryos are used for the manufacturing of this product.
Specifically, the embryos being destroyed are “discards” that are created in the course of the in vitro fertilization process. Ironically, they are being discarded by individuals seeking to be parents and to raise a child.
Just listening to the news report turned my stomach at places. To hear the word “embryo” used in such a cold manner sent a shiver down my spine. In particular, the statement made by the reporter about how they hope to improve the process so that only “small numbers of embryos” would be needed to begin the process really got to me. I wonder if the reaction of viewers would be different if she had said that only a “small number of infants” would be needed. Amazing the difference a word makes. (Discussed here, too.)
If you’d like to watch the video yourself, you should be able to see it here:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=12629524
