An Almost Balanced Report on Stem Cell Research
Reported by Deborah - October 18, 2004 -
Geraldo explored stem cell research last night on At Large and it was informative, fair, and balanced until the very end, when the Fox doctrine of partisan distortion took over. 10/17/04 10PM
The segment started with Christopher Reeve's doctor, John MCDonald who came on to better define the research process using stem cells. MCDonald clearly explained that the stem cells came from frozen rejects in fertility clinics which would eventually be thrown away. The cells used come from the undeveloped fertilized egg which produces cells that have the ability to regenerate damaged cells. He explained how these cells could eventually help people with spinal cord injuries, diabetes, parkinsons, and alziemers.
MCDonald was followed by Jerry Falwell who made some very extreme statements that were diluted by the scientific explanation. Falwell referred to the fertilized eggs as unborn children killed in order to help another person. Falwell's statements in contrast to MCDonald's seemed very rigid, inflammatory and backwards.
" Frozen embryo and aborted child are synonymous."
Then at the end of the segment, Geraldo made a disclaimer. "I have to tell you that if Senator Kerry is elected, he will lift the ban on stem cell research." Geraldo's tone was grave, as if that would be a terrrible thing.. Falwell chimed in " That's why we have to work to keep that from happening." The last word expressed the desired message and Geraldo's decent journalism was destroyed.
