Stem Cell Research

[Boom.-FTX-.]

Views/opinions?

I will post mine later when I get time

[Boom.-FTX-.]

I don't think there is a problem with stem cell research. In other words, I do support to to some extent. Missouri recently proposed an amendment legalizing stem cell research, which would actually (I think) be the first, or one of the first states to allow this with federal funding.

Some things I didn't agree with was the ads against it. I have no problem if the reason you don't support it is because of religion. I do not like it when "religious authority figures" make organizations and websites such as "nocloning.org". Things like this throw people on the wrong track. I know several people who go to religous sites and get their newsletters and all that stuff. These people trust these "opinions" and assume their are facts because of the organization saying the statements. It bugged the sh*t out of me that the "nocloning.org" site was made and put on all the oposing ads. It made people automatically relate stem cells to cloning, which was not what the amendment was about... actually "cloning" was completely irrelevant. Also due to the past discussions about stem cells, a lot of people were under a strict impression that the only way to get stem cells was by killing a baby. This is also completely false.

Their are adult stem cells that can be donated. There are also stem cells that can be used from the ambilical cord after a women gives birth. Their are not many stem cells in the cord, but it still gives some progress in the field.

The most effective way to attain many stem cells is through embryotic stem cells. This is where most people assume that it involves baby killing. Basically, it all depends on what you consider a living person. You have to decide when you think life truly begins. Is it after conception? Is it when the fetus actually begins to form?

Here is another option that many people did not know about: Women produce eggs each month, if they are fertilized the women becomes pregnant. What if the woman does not have the eggs fertilized? Well, then the woman will go through the monthly cycle(period). This is when the unused eggs and such are destroyed and passed on.

Why not use these eggs? Women are actually able to donate these eggs if they want too, kind of like a sperm clinic.

Scientists can actually take these unfertilized eggs and give them a little shock and then the egg cell starts multiplying(dividing itself) into many more, without the use of sperm (this is where you determine if that is a life form or not... no sex took place, no sperm came into contact with the egg, no baby could be made). From there, stem cells can be harvested since the cells form during the division. This is a very effective way in getting stem cells.

I did not agree with everything in the amendment however. There were areas in there that allowed women to be paid sums of money for donating. I do feel that it is fine for the medical bill and time off of work being compensated for, but I think that is kind of where I draw the line on that part. It should be strictly a donation, not a form of work.

The amendment banned human cloning. I don't think humans should be cloned. Again, you have to draw your own line on this. Do you think that harvesting stem cells is a form of cloning?

Stem cells are useful because they are the starting cells... they are able to turn into any other cell, whether it is to be used for building muscles, bones, or even organs. Take not that adult stem cells do not have the same ability as the embryotic stem cells.

I will type more later, I am curious to see what yall think about the subject.

[ChazFarote.-FTX-.]

I really don't know enough about it, but I guess they can develop great things from it.

I'll have to read up before I post a solid opinion, which I don't have at this time.

[Knight.-FTX-.]

I'm bored and can't go back to sleep at 3:00 in the morning. I guess I slept in too long yesterday.


I agree mostly with what you wrote Boom. I can't believe those people equated stem cells with cloning; that really is too sad. I'm pretty sure all of you heard of the discovery earlier this week that they can now make embryonic stem cells from adult skin cells: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...82&ft=1&f=1001

I hope that makes this thread obsolete. There should hopefully be no controversy anymore. BTW, I am for stem cell research. The way it's done does not destroy what could become a child from what I understand about it. This Wiki article explains that they can take just one cell from an embryo and leave it intact.

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

[Filthy.X.-FTX-.]

Yeah, if it's an unfertilized egg, and never gets fertilized for testing: then I'm up for it. I think it would be great research actually.

Like I was watching a show one time....a woman got into a wreck and was paralyzed for YEARS. Finally her own stem cells started doing something and she SLOWLY regained the ability to feel and move her legs a little.

Besides, think about all those girls out there that not only are on birth control, but also use birth control to "deal" with existing pregnancies. Stuff like that.... blah, keep it and just give it up for adoption; no need to end an unseen life