Stem Cell Research and Use of Stem Cells

[Teebs]

There are so many debates, etc. going on over the use of Stem Cells. Is the use of stem cells right or wrong? Do you think with all the hype that they could create cures? You be the judge.

Here are a few sites that I went over:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,167245,00.html
http://www.researchamerica.org/stemcell_issue?gclid=CIKcyJfjqpECFQbNIgodIiWKXQ

 

[snex]

give a clump of cells with no thoughts and no feelings that were going to be thrown in the trash anyway to scientists who want to research them to see if they can be used to help ease the suffering of fully grown human beings with thoughts and feelings?

now why would anybody support such a thing?

 

[DH_Ninja]

why try and find a potential cure to many diseases that have plagued man kind and a way to potentially make a human being who is in a wheel chair be able to walk again. I believe its more or less just a morality issue from what i know.

 

[Eor]

There is little reason for anybody to oppose it on the case alone, but in the full spectrum, people that are pro-life oppose it because it would give pro-choicers more fuel for their fire. Stem Cell research would then be a huge bonus for people that are pro-choice, because people that are pro-life would have to discontinue the amazing line of research. So by stopping the research from stopping, the abortion debate is more middle ground.

 

[Digital Watches]

There is little reason for anybody to oppose it on the case alone, but in the full spectrum, people that are pro-life oppose it because it would give pro-choicers more fuel for their fire. Stem Cell research would then be a huge bonus for people that are pro-choice, because people that are pro-life would have to discontinue the amazing line of research. So by stopping the research from stopping, the abortion debate is more middle ground.

What that says to me is that the pro-life argument is willing to set back groundbreaking and potentially life-saving science for the sake of better stacking the proverbial deck towards an argument that is ultimately a horribly outdated premise, based on an at best religious and at worst horridly naive conception of what we define as human life, which, as I've asserted numerous times before, just gets one into the dumb regression of considering potential life as important as actual life. Can someone explain to me what logical leg these people have to stand on?

 

[Sandy]

I support cloning organs, cloning animals, cloning humans, stem cell research, and genetic fetal manipulation. There simply are not strong arguments against any of them

Opponents of these practices generally make the faulty assumptions that there is inherent value in human life, and that there is such a thing as human essence. However, no one yet has been able to prove either. Without these basic elements, the morality of any of these acts shifts into a purely sociological issue.

What then is being argued as wrong? Artificiality? That can't be. We already live in a society that is almost at a complete lack of authenticity. People constantly seek to adjust their bodies. Drugs, hormones, hair dye. Contacts, make-up, implants. Shaving, waxing, tanning. Lifting, tucking, plucking. What's wrong with getting a jump start ahead of the game? At the very least, it prevents would-be parents from rejecting children based on gender.

An argument from biology almost makes the cut, but only in an extreme case. Over-cloning may result in diminished genetic diversity, which is clearly dangerous for the species as a whole. However, in moderation, as long as it is controlled, it wouldn't be an issue.

What then is the problem with cloning precisely? You're all claiming that it's wrong, but none of you have given a reason.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Scientists have converted utter cells of a cow into stem cells. Ban it all you want, we will find a way to complete the research.

 

[snex]

Scientists have converted utter cells of a cow into stem cells. Ban it all you want, we will find a way to complete the research.

this is somewhat disingenuous... scientists cannot learn how to make normal cells revert back into stem cells without the ability to look at real stem cells. without actual stem cells to do research on, youre just guessing.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Its not the cell that is important. Its the properties of the cell. The number one reason stem cells are wanted is because of their dividing capabilities. A transformed utter cell has many of the same properties of a stem cell. It may not be an actual stem cell but scientists can still make advances by studying these cells.

Point being, all they are doing is delaying advances that would help millions.

 

[snex]

you missed the point. without *actual* stem cells, scientists cannot determine how to turn *normal* stem cells into stem cells.

thus, if stem cell research doesnt exist, then there is no way to use other cells to replicate them.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Actually, its predicted that in seven-ten years we wont need *actual* stem cells at all. You are right though, at the moment there is still tons to learn from actual stem cells.

 

[Sandy]

Healthy organs should and will be cloned in the near future. There is no problem with it. You simply take cells from the major organs at birth and if that person ever needs anything, you can take the sample (alter the problem if it is genetic) and than regrow.

As for full human clones, that likely is not a good idea. I don't want to see the future turn to a war between humans, clones, robots and aliens. (That would make for a good movie. )

 

[snex]

speaking of movies, you watch too many of them. a clone is no different than a set of identical twins born many years apart.

 

[Gamer4Fire]

Actually, its predicted that in seven-ten years we wont need *actual* stem cells at all. You are right though, at the moment there is still tons to learn from actual stem cells.

And while we take these seven - ten years to create "*actual* stem cells," the rest of the world is using the real deal to progress their scientific knowledge and leaving America in the dark ages. Thank you so very much, religious zealots, for continuing to discourage scientific inquiry due to a false belief in a cloud daddy.

 

[Kips]

Stem Cells could potentially cure thousands of potential ailments. Why shouldn't we support this man-discovered miracle? It is not only illogical, but self destructive of us not to attempt to take advantage of this bountiful resource. With it, long organ donation lines can come to a halt and hundreds upon thousands of people will not have to suffer any more, crippling damage to the heart, brain and limbs can be fixed and 'incurable' diseases will have to fear combatting new technology derived from these potent cells.

So yes, any delay of research simply kills more people each day.