The ice bucket challenge is all the rage on Facebook in recent days, and it has been an incredibly successful fundraiser for the ALS Association – $42 million raised so far, compared to just $2 million last year. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is often called Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the famous baseball player who died from it. The challenge is to either donate $100 to ALS or dump a bucket of ice water on your head. It’s certainly entertaining. But the ALS Association spends at least some of its money on embryonic stem cell research, which results in the destruction of embryos – often those created solely for this purpose. While the National Institutes of Health, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, says embryonic stem cells “are thought to offer potential cures and therapies for many devastating diseases, research using them is still in its basic stages.” In other words, all promise, no results – which is not to say results would justify destroying embryos. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, which do not require the destruction of life, are currently being used to great effect. Something to think about before dousing yourself with ice water. More…