What is the big deal with stem cell research?

[BaDaBooM]

I was just reading another thread and they mentioned how a lot of people have a problem with stem cell research (usually those that are pro-life). I guess I don't have a clear understanding of what that exactly is. I know they are cells that can become any type of cell (skin, muscle, etc.). Are they embryos (already fertilized) or just the original egg cell? Why are pro-lifers against it?

 

[PatboyX]

it would probably be considered murder by pro-life standards.

 

[bigdog1218]

Only embryonic stem cells can become virtually any type of cell, pro lifers have a problem with embryonic stem cells because it involves the destruction of a human embryo which can grow into a human being.

 

[BaDaBooM]

ok, so it is a fertilized egg (after conception)? That at least makes sense. I was under the impression that it was an unfertilized egg and was wondering what the problem was. I guess what my next question would be is where do they get the embryos? I mean they aren't trying to make abortion banks are they?

 

[OITLadyOwl]

Apt quote of the day, version 2.0:

"Scientific research shouldn't be hampered by religious notions."

 

[EXman]

Why are pro-lifers against it?

Because it could lead to sanctioned killing (even more than abortion.) Help one life by taking another seems immoral to many. It is hard to justify to me at least why one life is worth less than another. Regardless of anyones opinion if these stem cells were not ALIVE in the first place there would not be contraversy cause no one would want this miricle of an early stage of the formation of life.

 

[fatbaby]

Well if you consider embryos and fetuses to be living human beings, should pregnant women be allowed to drive in the carpool lane by themselves (2 or more persons)??

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: EXman

Why are pro-lifers against it?

Because it could lead to sanctioned killing (even more than abortion.) Help one life by taking another seems immoral to many. It is hard to justify to me at least why one life is worth less than another. Regardless of anyones opinion if these stem cells were not ALIVE in the first place there would not be contraversy cause no one would want this miricle of an early stage of the formation of life.

How early are we talking about?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: fatbaby
Well if you consider embryos and fetuses to be living human beings, should pregnant women be allowed to drive in the carpool lane by themselves (2 or more persons)??

You can ride motorcycles in the HOV lane

 

[BaDaBooM]

Uh-oh... wasn't trying to make this a one side argueing with the other. Just trying to find out more so I can form my own conviction on the subject. Where and how do they get these embryos?

 

[tkdkid]

I thought it was because they are taking the stem cells from aborted fetuses. Gotta get em from some place...

 

[EXman]

Uh-oh... wasn't trying to make this a one side argueing with the other. Just trying to find out more so I can form my own conviction on the subject. Where and how do they get these embryos?

That is also up for discussion. Some biotech companies are driven so hard for profit will do almost anything to make a buck. I think that is not up for debate but where every one gets there supply is. There is supposed to be what 5-6 places ( I think) that you can get them but where ever $ can be made some one is willing to break the law.

 

[BaDaBooM]

Hmm... if that's true then I don't think I can be for it. I'm against abortion except for the most extenuating circumstances (rape, mother's life threatened, etc). Now if they wanted to use the ones from those somewhat rare circumstances, then they might as well make the best of a bad situation.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

 

[hawkeye81x]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

 

[DrPizza]

Embryonic stem cells can also be harvested from fertilized eggs.... there are a LOT of them available. When a female trying to become pregnant by less than natural means donates eggs, bunches of them are fertilized, but only one is implanted. (and not, I believe, until it's divided several times into a blastocyst or something more advanced). The remaining fertilized eggs are perfect for stem cell research.

Also, the pro-life movement understands that a complete ban on stem cell research in effect redefines when life begins, giving the anti-abortion side more leverage.

 

[BaDaBooM]

That shouldn't be a problem as long as the donors are doing so voluntarily . So why would people want to ban all stem cell research. They should just get it from donors. Maybe I'm over-simplifying since I don't know the details though.

 

[BaDaBooM]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Embryonic stem cells can also be harvested from fertilized eggs.... there are a LOT of them available. When a female trying to become pregnant by less than natural means donates eggs, bunches of them are fertilized, but only one is implanted. (and not, I believe, until it's divided several times into a blastocyst or something more advanced). The remaining fertilized eggs are perfect for stem cell research.

Also, the pro-life movement understands that a complete ban on stem cell research in effect redefines when life begins, giving the anti-abortion side more leverage.

Well that would be dumb to ban.... they for some reason or another didn't get to the next phase of growth so I wouldn't consider them viable to become a person.

So basically they need quit playing strategies on other issues (abortion) and get detailed in what circumstances are acceptable, IMHO.

 

[hawkeye81x]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Embryonic stem cells can also be harvested from fertilized eggs.... there are a LOT of them available. When a female trying to become pregnant by less than natural means donates eggs, bunches of them are fertilized, but only one is implanted. (and not, I believe, until it's divided several times into a blastocyst or something more advanced). The remaining fertilized eggs are perfect for stem cell research.

I'm not totally sure about the fertilized egg business but I was under the belief that multiple fertilized eggs are placed in the host mother in the hopes that at least one will develop.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

They aren't magic and they come from many places, but they are found in bone marrow and that is the most common source. It is a matter of proper growth factors causing whatever transformation you are seeking. Embryonic cells arent "magic" either. They don't do tricks, they have to be treated with the correct factors too.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

They aren't magic and they come from many places, but they are found in bone marrow and that is the most common source. It is a matter of proper growth factors causing whatever transformation you are seeking. Embryonic cells arent "magic" either. They don't do tricks, they have to be treated with the correct factors too.

Adult stem cells can't become as many other cells as embryonic stem cells though, and that is a big problem.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: EXman

Why are pro-lifers against it?

Because it could lead to sanctioned killing (even more than abortion.) Help one life by taking another seems immoral to many. It is hard to justify to me at least why one life is worth less than another. Regardless of anyones opinion if these stem cells were not ALIVE in the first place there would not be contraversy cause no one would want this miricle of an early stage of the formation of life.

So you are saying you treat bums the same way you treat your mother?

 

[tokamak]

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

my dad is undergoing chemotherapy. they had to harvest all his stem cells so they could give them back to him after the chemo is over. so i can't tell you where they come from, but i can confirm that adults do have them.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

They aren't magic and they come from many places, but they are found in bone marrow and that is the most common source. It is a matter of proper growth factors causing whatever transformation you are seeking. Embryonic cells arent "magic" either. They don't do tricks, they have to be treated with the correct factors too.

Adult stem cells can't become as many other cells as embryonic stem cells though, and that is a big problem.

Well, I am not going to argue with you, but I know more than a few guys in Cambridge research institutions and biotech labs that are going to be mighty disappointed when I tell them

 

[hawkeye81x]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
There is a myth that only embryonic stem cells can be used for medical research/treatment. This is not true, and in fact the stem cells that come from adults (harvested non-lethally) work too.

Where do these magic stem cells come from in an adult?

They aren't magic and they come from many places, but they are found in bone marrow and that is the most common source. It is a matter of proper growth factors causing whatever transformation you are seeking. Embryonic cells arent "magic" either. They don't do tricks, they have to be treated with the correct factors too.

EDIT: Ok, so you punks made me research... grr... ok stem cells are in adults.
But I still contend they are going to be damn near impossible to harvest in an useful amount from adults.