[also known as "Conflict At Ground Zero"] [music by Myung, Petrucci, Portnoy, Rudess] [lyrics by John Petrucci]
"A gallop snapshot poll taken immediately after President Bush's speach on funding embryonic stem cell research last night shows that half of Americans approve of his decision, 25% do not, and still another 25% are not sure what to think."
"Most people don't even know what stem cells are."
"Who is going to scream the loudest? Will it be the right-to-lifers or will it be the scientists? And now what is going to happen is there will be a tremendous amount of lobbying in Washington, D.C.: scientists, entertainers, people who want to see this research - will be coming forth."
"I am concerned about it. Christopher Reeves is concerned about it. Everyone is concerned about it. The big question is do the ends justify the means? When we talk about research, yes, we can cure a lot of things... speculatively. But, where is the proof?"
"These developing human beings that you are talking about, these embryos, were produced in an artificial, scientific environment. In vitro fertilization is not God's will."
"That doesn't make them any less human, though, after that happens."
"We are on a road where we really don't know where we are going as far as what's next. We are talking about harvesting embryos. We are talking about this, we are talking about that, but what is the cost?"
"How could we possibly abandon the research?"
"That is right. That is the old question? If you think the research is good then you may not have a problem with it. It is only if you think the research is questionable that you get defensive about it. (You do have time to research these embryos later if we choose to do so. While people are suffering, we are not truly certain that this will provide a cure.)"
"And there was a great outrage in the conservative churches... You cannot use developing humans... At that point in time they turn into humans."
"I feel that abandoning this research could be a mistake. Researching this may allow us to save other lives or at least to improve the quality of lives."
"We do not have the answers, yet. We need to put the money where we will get those answers in the future. Listen, we are out of time."
What if someone said Promise lies ahead Hopes are high in certain scientific circles Life won't have to end You could walk again
What if someone said Problems lie ahead They've uncovered something highly controversial The right to life is strong Can't you see it's wrong
Humankind has reached a turning point Poised for conflict at ground zero Ready for a war Do we look to our unearthly guide Or to white coat heroes Searching for a cure
Turn to the light Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates Turn to the light Turning away would be a terrible mistake
Anarchistic moral vision Industries of death Facing violent opposition Unmolested breathe
Ethic inquisitions breed Antagonistic views Right wing sound bite premonitions In a labyrinth of rules
Are you justified Are you justified Are you justified Justified in taking Life to save life Life to save life Taking life to save life
This embryonic clay Wrapped in fierce debate Would be thrown away Or otherwise discarded
Some of us believe It may hold the key To treatment of disease And secrets highly guarded
Are you justified Are you justified Are you justified Justified in taking Life to save life Life to save life Life to save life