UDM professors debate embryonic stem-cell research
Nina Paolini
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: News
Six UDM professors discussed and debated the merits, science and ethics of embryonic stem-cell research in an honors program symposium Feb. 17.
The panelists included Dr. Michael Witkowski, Professor Kathryn Gross, Dr. Prasad Venugopala, Dr. Greg Grabowski, Professor David Nantias and Dr. Martin Leever.
In November 2008, Michigan voters approved Proposition 2, clearing the way for controversial embryonic stem-cell research. Proponents argued that the research could lead to cures for such diseases as Parkinson's. Opponents objected to the use of aborted fetuses and fertilized eggs and worried that the proposal could open the door to cloning.
Dr. Michael Witkowski, a sociology and criminal justice professor, began the discussion with a heartfelt story of his treatment for cancer. In May 2004, he was diagnosed with level-three colon cancer and was treated for it in Ann Arbor.
When going for treatment, he met infants and young children who were also diagnosed with cancer. Afterwards, he became aware of the subject of embryonic stem-cell research.
"If stem-cell research or any method of life extension could be made available to these youngsters to cure them, I thought, then we must do it," Witkowski said.
Although Dr. Prasad Venugopala, from the physics department, agreed with Witkowski, he offered a very different point of view.
Instead of looking at the moral or ethical issue of embryonic stem-cell research, people should be concerned with the science, he said. According to Venugopala, the opposing sides differ on what and who should be in control of these embryos.
Venugopala focused on how private corporations are using science for money instead of using it to benefit society.
He also believes that human life - and life in general - is not unique.
Venugopala said humans were created out of mud and, therefore, are no different than it. If humans are mud, "then there is no problem working on embryos as there is no problem working on mud," he said.
The panelists included Dr. Michael Witkowski, Professor Kathryn Gross, Dr. Prasad Venugopala, Dr. Greg Grabowski, Professor David Nantias and Dr. Martin Leever.
In November 2008, Michigan voters approved Proposition 2, clearing the way for controversial embryonic stem-cell research. Proponents argued that the research could lead to cures for such diseases as Parkinson's. Opponents objected to the use of aborted fetuses and fertilized eggs and worried that the proposal could open the door to cloning.
Dr. Michael Witkowski, a sociology and criminal justice professor, began the discussion with a heartfelt story of his treatment for cancer. In May 2004, he was diagnosed with level-three colon cancer and was treated for it in Ann Arbor.
When going for treatment, he met infants and young children who were also diagnosed with cancer. Afterwards, he became aware of the subject of embryonic stem-cell research.
"If stem-cell research or any method of life extension could be made available to these youngsters to cure them, I thought, then we must do it," Witkowski said.
Although Dr. Prasad Venugopala, from the physics department, agreed with Witkowski, he offered a very different point of view.
Instead of looking at the moral or ethical issue of embryonic stem-cell research, people should be concerned with the science, he said. According to Venugopala, the opposing sides differ on what and who should be in control of these embryos.
Venugopala focused on how private corporations are using science for money instead of using it to benefit society.
He also believes that human life - and life in general - is not unique.
Venugopala said humans were created out of mud and, therefore, are no different than it. If humans are mud, "then there is no problem working on embryos as there is no problem working on mud," he said.
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