for or against stem cells research?

Question

"Medical researchers believe stem cell research has the potential to change the face of human disease by being used to repair specific tissues or to grow organs."

Answer 1

It like saying do you wan blood transfusion or not and the majority want blood transfusion and I am for Stem Cell if it going to save life why not
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells of a specific tissue and are mostly multipotent cells. They are more accurately called somatic (Greek σωμα sōma = body) stem cells, because they need not come from adults but can also come from children or umbilical cords. Particularly interesting are adult stem cells termed "spore-like cells". They are present in all tissues[2] and seem to survive long time periods and harsh conditions.
Embryonic stem cells are cultured cells obtained from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of an early stage human embryo (sometimes called a blastocyst, which is an embryo that is between 50 to 150 cells). Embryonic stem cell research is "thought to have much greater developmental potential than adult stem cells," according to the National Institutes of Health.[3] Research using embryonic stem cells remains at the zenith of stem cell science because, unlike somatic cells, embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. However, research using stem cells derived from the human embryo is still in the basic research phase, as these stem cells were first isolated in 1998 (at least for humans), whereas adult stem cells have been studied since the 1960s.[4] Research with embryonic stem cells derived from humans is controversial because, in order to start a stem cell 'line' or lineage, the destruction of a human embryo is usually required. In an attempt to overcome these moral, political and ethical hurdles, medical researchers have been experimenting with alternative techniques of obtaining embryonic stem cells by extraction, which does not involve the cloning or destruction of a human embryo.
Cancer stem cells arising through malignant transformation of adult stem cells are proposed to be the source of some or all tumors and cause metastasis and relapse of the disease.[5] The stem cell origin of leukemias is well established[6]. The role of stem cells in other tumors is under intensive investigation.
Cord blood stem cells are derived from the blood of the placenta and umbilical cord after birth. Since 1988 these cord blood stem cells have been used to treat Gunther's disease, Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Acute lymphocytic leukemia and many more problems occurring mostly in children. Umbilical cord blood use has become so common that there are now umbilical cord blood banks that accept donations from parents. It is collected by removing the umbilical cord, cleansing it and withdrawing blood from the umbilical vein. This blood is then immediately analyzed for infectious agents and the tissue-type is determined. The cord blood is processed and depleted of red blood cells before being stored in liquid nitrogen for later use, at which point it is thawed, washed of the cryoprotectant, and injected through a vein of the patient. This kind of treatment, where the stem cells are collected from another donor, is called allogeneic treatment. When the cells are collected from the same patient on whom they will be used, it is called autologous and when collected from identical individuals (i.e. homozygous twin), it is referred to as syngeneic.
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Treatments
Main article: Stem cell treatments
Medical researchers believe that stem cell research has the potential to change the face of human disease. A number of current treatments already exist, although the majority of them are not commonly used because they tend to be experimental and not very cost-effective. Medical researchers anticipate being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat cancer, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage, amongst a number of other diseases, impairments and conditions. However, there still exists a great deal of social and scientific uncertainty surrounding stem cell research, which could possibly be overcome by gaining the acceptance of the public and through years of intensive research.

Stem cells however are already used extensively in research, and some scientists do not see cell therapy as the first goal of the research, but see the stem cells as a tool worthy in itself. [1]

Answer 2

Lots have already given the reason that it is embryonic stem cell research that Catholics are against. That is correct. It is also important to note that Adult stem cell research currently helps with the treatment for over 70 diseases. Embryonic stem cell research is not nearly as promising from what they have done so far - it has produced zero treatments. Why not put money into the method that is producing results (adult stem cells) instead of putting money into a pipe dream that 1.) kills embryos and 2.) doesn't seem to be the miracle cure that people hoped?

Answer 3

I am all for stem cell research - stem cells from adult sources such as liposuctioned fat and umbilical cord blood are the only ones that have shown any potential for curing disease.

Embryonic stem cell research, on the other hand, kills an innocent baby and has yet to even show any promising results. Parkinson's patients given embryonic stem cells have been worse off then they were before.

You can be for stem cell research and still be pro-life.

Answer 4

I'm all for it. It no longer has to come from human fetus tissue, and the eggs that they derive the cells from are actually throwaways from invetro fertilization for the most part. Alot of the eggs can't be used because they've already suffered a good amount of freeze damage. (Read the "Time" issue on this subject. It was very informative!) From what I've seen, most of the religious backlash against this topic is from people that really haven't studied the issue. I wish that people would think before they speak, but such is the human condition I guess.

Answer 5

Stem cell research can only come from the death of an innocent baby. AGAINST!

Answer 6

For adult stem cell research; against embryonic.

In addition to the moral problems, adult has shown more potential than has embryonic.

Answer 7

I'm all for it. Why shouldn't we use every available resource to improve the health of sick people? Could the issue that people who are against it have be averted if we learned how to use chimp stem cells?

Answer 8

if it's from an adult stem cell then yes, there's nothing wrong with that. they just shouldn't take it from babies. have you seen the procedure they use to acquire that tissue? it is gruesome!!! read about partial birth abortions: http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/diagram.html

Answer 9

For - I don't see why not.

Answer 10

For