Stem Cell Research?

Question

Are you for it or aganist it?
I'm aganist it, thouse fetises havent even had a chance to live, and already they have been devoted to scince! I mean what the hell! I wanna know if I wanna be devoted to science, not have somebody else tell me I have to or take my life!

Answer 1

There are TWO types of stem cell research - Embyonic Stem Cell Reasearch ( creating embryos for the purpose of harvesting healthy cells ), which I am against; Adult Stem Cell Research ( removing healthy cells from adults or children to regenerate ), which I am an advocate for. Both hold tremendous promise , it just depends where your ethics lie.

Answer 2

True what whatzit2ya said, at least about the stem cell sources not being fetuses, but embryos. But you're right. They're still unborn children, and it's a shame that many people don't want to see that, and that they did that in the first place if they were just going to destroy them. Fertility clinics that use in vitro fertilization pose the same problem, though for some impatient people, that's their first choice. I'd vote for idiot's answer, but I'm not level 2 yet. I would, however, like to add some details. Just some fun facts.

In embryonic stem cell research, the therapies they've tried to develop have had generally cancerous or otherwise negative results. I can only speculate as to why that is, not a scientist myself. But logically my mind comes to the conlusion that embryonic stem cells, which are supposed to grow into many different types of cells as the embryo develops, grow into the "wrong kind" of cell just because of that. Also, if you look at how quickly cells divide in a growing baby or child, it's no wonder that the cells keep growing beyond what the scientists and doctors intended.

Oh yeah, back to the question. Initially against it here, at least against the research you're thinking of. Much more inclined to support adult stem cell research. You know, the kind that doesn't kill humans.

One article on embryonic stem cell research that I think you might like is at the link below, as long as you take the time to read it and don't just skim through the first paragraph and pronounce it worthless. It speaks somewhat of the overwhelming support that ESC research has in our country--the peoples' response to various disabilities and diseases, even if some of the people with them are against the idea.

"Frightened citizens are willing to grasp at any elixir, however dubious." Ain't that the truth.

Answer 3

The problem with this controversy is that people are arguing over a point they know nothing about! A couple of the above answers touched on facts of the subject but they are still uninformed. Embryonic stem cell research does not harm anyone. The fact of the matter is that the embryos used for embryonic stem cell research have been maintained in storage facilities for years. These embryos were developed for use with in vitro fertilization many years ago and in fact exist in great excess in these facilities. Many of these embryos are bound either for destruction or to be stored indefinitely. This means that no mother is losing access to to these embryos and no children are being denied the ability to be born by using these cells for research, the scientists were using cells that would not be available to anyone anyways. Also, researchers found ways to develop stem cell lines from embryonic stem cells, in which one cell could be reproduced into many other identical cells. Though this info is factual and there is no harm to the living brought on by the use of embryos, the embryo must be destroyed, therefore; the debate over embryonic stem cells has led scientists to investigate the possibilities of adult stem cell research, which now seems to be in the forefront of the research. The reason for the use of embryonic stem cells is their flexibility, due to their not having a preprogrammed specialized function. In the beginning, adult stem cells, already having specialized funtions were thought to have less possible uses. Now scientists are finding ways to chemically induce adult stem cells back to their embryonic state. If this process is successful (the theory is still being tested), then the use of embryos will no longer be needed. But, without the use of embryonic stem cells initially, this research would have been lost because of a lack of progress because the embryonic stem cell's uninduced state would not have been recognizable or reproducable.

Support stem cell research

Answer 4

Thank you whatzit and jaghab for your informative input. There is FAR too much misinformation out there. People think that we're running around killing babies for stem cells, but you two have explained very well what the truth is.

My wife has multiple sclerosis - a disease that could someday be reversed or cured through stem cell research. Unfortunately, the ignorant are electing equally ignorant lawmakers that oppose it based on Christian fundamentals without really understanding what's really happening.

I guess they think it makes more sense to discard the unused biological byproducts that may save my wife.

Answer 5

The problem is that the public is only hearing a distorted version of the issue from the press. Stem cell research in the press is usually only referring to embryonic stem cell research. Two forms of stem cell research exist, embryonic and adult.

Adult stem cell research uses tissue from infants or adults without killing the donors. Embryonic stem cell research uses tissue from embryos and kills the donors. Adult stem cell research is the only research that has real positive results. Embryonic stem cell research has yet to produce one experimental therapy.

I am for adult stem cell research and against embryonic stem cell research. In vitro abortion is no different ethically than in vivo abortion.

If you have seen the movie "The Island", you have seen the result of the ethics of embryonic stem cell research and cloning taken to its logical conclusion.

Answer 6

I'm not going to give my opinion because it is irrelevant.
Right now you have luxury to be against it or for it.
I don't care how strongly you oppose it.
Views will change if you or your loved ones were stricken
by serious illness that required stem cell research to save your
lives.

Answer 7

you are misinformed... the fetuses that would be used are actually not fetuses, theyre embryos (they arent old enough to be fetuses, and theyre actually only the size of a pencil point) and they are scheduled to be destroyed anyways. they are unused embryos from in vitro patients. the women must authorize the embryos use for stem cell, and if they dont, it would just be thrown in the trash... i would think that would be more unethical than using it to try and cure someones ailment

Answer 8

I am for it. The fact is those fetises are helpng potentially thousands of lives. One for a thousand, is something I would be willing to take.

Answer 9

I am defineitly for it. Save a life.

Answer 10

I am for it