Summary:
- Christopher Reeve (1952-2004) was an actor (Superman)
- He was thrown from a horse during an equestrian event. Reeve landed on his head and suffered multiple injuries, including two shattered vertebrae, resulting in a C2 spinal cord injury. He stopped breathing for a couple of minutes and the injury blocked almost all neural communication between his brain and body.
- Doctors predicted that he would never have feeling or movement below his head
- He considered suicide after hearing this
- He became an advocate for stemcell research, therapeutic cloning and increased funding for spinal cord injury research.
- He opened the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center that helps paralysed people live more independently.
- Despite Reeve's heavy therapy his condition didn't improve much during the first five years.
- He was a hero and an inspiration for other living with paralysis and fought for embryonic stem cell research
- He died after having a heart attack during treatment for an infected pressure wound
Quotes:
"Perhaps it's my job to offend some scientists," Reeve told the Lasker Foundation last year after receiving the group's annual award for public service. "I'm not asking them to be reckless or unprofessional, but I do want to reinforce a sense of urgency."Key points: The story of Christopher Reeve, a man who fought for stem cell research
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23222-2004Oct11.htmlJoe Holley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
www.washingtonpost.com
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ReplyDeletedo you have a particular opinion on this topic? can you see any reason why people might object to stem cell research?
ReplyDeleteMany people were/are against it because they think it's like taking someone's life and using women. Because, when I saw his documentary, I clearly remember they needed some cells from females (can't remember which ones specifically) and that many women were against it because they felt like they were used and lives were wasted. I think it's a good idea, it's definitely not using women and it could saves lives and make people's lives better. It's kind of sad that women are against it, we should be proud for having something that important which can help injured people.
ReplyDeleteI think stem cell reasearch is an imoportant innovation, since it can improve people's physical condition in the event of serious illnesses, i think it's a very noble thing that Christofer Reeve didn't give up after receiving this injury, and pursued with his idea of willing to help the people who were in the same situation as him. I really don't see how people can be against stem cell research, and would rather see people suffer.
ReplyDeleteStem cell research is done for the benefit of people. Objection against this research might be based on religious or moral beliefs. Some might believe it is unethical to clone stem cells as this is not a natural process but it has to be done artificially. However, it would be wrong to not attempt to help those who are currently suffering. Even though the research might not fulfill its aim it might result in an increase in knoweldge. Which might result in an invention of a new medication. Nevertheless, from my perspectives, scientists now have the knoweldge and understanding to perform these tests that involve stem cells. If this was not the case, science wouldn't be evolving. Meaning people would suffer. Considering the fact that treatments can be found scientists, experiments should continue.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what these religious or moral belief might be Isabelle?
ReplyDeleteCan you frame an argument against such beliefs?