Re: It is hard for me to be happy about the reversal regarding stem cell research

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

 

No " flaming " of you here!  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  That's

the beauty of living in a free society! 

 

And I understand you not being happy about this.  I was very upset when the ban

occurred.  It is an emotional topic.  It's also a hotly debated one.  If

anyone is interested, Wiki nicely summarizes this philosophical debate,

outlining both the pros and cons of each position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell_controversy

 

Also, for those who aren't familiar with the embryonic stem cell process, here's

a brief description: 

 

The eggs are donated and fertilized in a clinical setting (never in a woman). 

The stem cells are removed when the fertilized egg is in the blastocyst stage,

about 4 to 5 days after fertilization.  Once the stem cells are separated from

the blastocyst, the stem cells are grown/multiplied separately.  This creates a

stem cell line.  The blastocyst is never allowed to grow beyond this stage.  In

other words, it never becomes a fetus or even an embryo, for that matter, which

is technically defined as a fertilized egg that implants into the womb of a

woman about 14 days after fertilization.

(Reference:  http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp)

 

There are also alternative stem cell creation processes being

developed.  Gretchen has posted many articles on this topic.  I recall one

article she posted that showed Japanese scientists were utilizing skin cells to

produce the stem cells, which would take away the issue of rejection of foreign

tissue.  I recall another that talked about growing stem cells from endometrial

tissue in women.  Some researchers have even been able to extract embryonic stem

cells from embryos without disrupting their growth.  The science of this is

simply amazing.

 

There are many different approaches to this research.  Hopefully, technology

will be developed that is acceptable to us all.  In the meantime, I'm personally

grateful that the tide is finally turning, so more research can be done

right now.  This area of science has the potential to improve the lives of

billions of people, which would be an incredible service to mankind.  

 

[Guest guest]

Umm you do know the stem cells they use are from already dead children, those

that were still-born or didn't make it for some reason or another. They are not

out there killing children to get them.

The thing with the test tubes is just to grow more of the cells, not to create a

baby and then destroy it for them.

Ron

[Guest guest]

Wow I guess I'm wrong how it works, anyway I still agree that it has more

potential then any harm (which I believe is none) that it would cause.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ron!

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I think it is good that you have this opinion, although I don't agree. I see

research as " unstopable " , being a scientist myself. Once a scientist has got an

idea, he/she needs to test it (think of the atomic bomb!), and the idea of

embryonic stem cells is so revolutionary, it will be explored, whether we

like it or not. The idea of embryos being humans or not is an ethical question

and thus the people in charge of laws decide what is ok and what is not. But

abortions have been around for thousands of years, meaning some people do accept

them and thus think that embryos are not humans. As long as this is ok with

some, there will be such research. The only thing you can do is to vote for

politicians with the same believes as yourself, but when a new president comes

around, who won the voices of the majority, you can only accept.

Beata, biologist  

[Guest guest]

I must have said something right, hehe.

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

I support your position to feel this way...after all, none of us have

all of the facts regarding stem cell research....even if we think we

do, and we all know we cant believe everything we read. Supporting or

not supporting....I for one would like to err on the side of caution

before jumping into something that we later might realize was a

mistake.

Jimmy