Backroom deals.In her article on the election ("Time to Choose"), Margaret O'Brien Steinfels argues that the government should prohibit the sale of embryonic tissue Noun 1. embryonic tissue - tissue in an embryo germ layer - (embryology) any of the 3 layers of cells differentiated in embryos following gastrulation animal tissue - the tissue in the bodies of animals in order to remove "the profit motive implicit in Adj. 1. implicit in - in the nature of something though not readily apparent; "shortcomings inherent in our approach"; "an underlying meaning" underlying, inherent the research agenda of pharmaceutical companies." Yet her proposal is no means to such an end. Restrictions such as those currently in place create an artificial scarcity Artificial scarcity describes the scarcity of items even though the technology and production capacity exists to create an abundance. The term is aptly applied to non-rival resources, i.e. of stem-cell lines, which only adds to the potential market value of such material. Steinfels's proposal not only fails to eliminate the scarcity which drives the profit motive, it creates an environment conducive to backroom back·room n. or back room 1. A room located at the rear. 2. The meeting place used by an inconspicuous controlling group. adj. 1. deals, as corporations look for ways around the restrictions. I propose that the government act as a clearing house for obtaining the tissue needed for stem-cell research Noun 1. stem-cell research - research on stem cells and their use in medicine biological research - scientific research conducted by biologists embryonic stem-cell research - biological research on stem cells derived from embryos and on their use in medicine . This would relieve the economic problems caused by scarcity, and lead to a transparent process whereby corporations are held publicly accountable for their actions. BEN MEDINA Seattle, Wash. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion