For those that know of the Stem Cell Debate.....

[Antmeister]

If you don't know much about it, watch this educational piece about embryonic stem cell research. This is what happens when I was forced to enlighten students about the very technical aspects of the research.

Oops...forgot to add a link (http://www.almarks.com/embryonic.html).

[Drake]

That freaks me out. Seriously.





(I don't mean the stem cell bits.)

[stevew]

Highly entertaining.

[mordhiem]

Stem cells are cool, cool, cool. :)

[MrBug708]

I know a girl who was saved from lukemia because they saved her umbilical cord. I know where I stand on the issue.

[JeeberD]

Outstanding!!!

[Antmeister]

I know a girl who was saved from lukemia because they saved her umbilical cord. I know where I stand on the issue.

It's interesting that you brought this up. A lot of people just assume that stem cell research is about destroying embryos. A number of people have already been helped by stem cells from the umbilical cord yet people tend to link all stem cell research to something negative. In fact, stem cells can comes from a living person as well, through the blood, tissues, etc.

[JeeberD]

In fact, stem cells can comes from a living person as well, through the blood, tissues, etc.

Yup, my father had stem cells collected from his blood to help combat his leukemia...

[Antmeister]

Yup, my father had stem cells collected from his blood to help combat his leukemia...

That is awesome. So they were able to collect a bunch of adult stem cells to help him out. Well I hope all goes well.

[oliegirl]

While watching that all I kept thinking about was how it would be to see that shown as an ABC After School Special...kind of "conjunction junction...what's your function?"..."I know you'd think you'd like to know, what's best..." :)

Seriously, even though I am intensely pro-life, I am a huge advocate of stem cell research. I wanted to have my son's umbilical cord saved and frozen just in case, but insurance didn't cover it at the time (not sure if they do now or not) and I couldn't afford the tens of thousands it would have cost. As far as I am concerned, those who don't advocate stem cell research are just like the people who don't like cancer research b/c it might hurt a rat...they need to put their priorities in order.

[Antmeister]

While watching that all I kept thinking about was how it would be to see that shown as an ABC After School Special...kind of "conjunction junction...what's your function?"..."I know you'd think you'd like to know, what's best..." :)
OK Oliegirl, I think you just dated yourself.....After School Special.....Conjuction Junction. Either you dated yourself or you are a huge fan of old shows and I should know, because I watched those programs as well.

Seriously, even though I am intensely pro-life, I am a huge advocate of stem cell research. I wanted to have my son's umbilical cord saved and frozen just in case, but insurance didn't cover it at the time (not sure if they do now or not) and I couldn't afford the tens of thousands it would have cost. As far as I am concerned, those who don't advocate stem cell research are just like the people who don't like cancer research b/c it might hurt a rat...they need to put their priorities in order.

Yeah and I know what you mean. To me this is not even a black and white issue. There are so many ways to get stem cells, I don't know why there is so much focus on embryonic stem cell research. Umbilical and Adult Stem Cells (tissue, blood, etc.) has already proven to save a number of lives already.

[Glengoyne]

...
Seriously, even though I am intensely pro-life, I am a huge advocate of stem cell research.... As far as I am concerned, those who don't advocate stem cell research are just like the people who don't like cancer research b/c it might hurt a rat...they need to put their priorities in order.
Amen! I think that sums up my position on this admirably.

I think this is a huge example of the religious Pro-Life movement actually costing lives by limiting research. They are doing more harm than good by making a stand, that it doesn't really seem they have thought through.

[Samdari]

There are so many ways to get stem cells, I don't know why there is so much focus on embryonic stem cell research.

From what I understand, embryonic stem cells are "purer" and thus better for pure research functions.

FYI, when my wife a D&C to have the non-viable embryo removed from her body last fall, there was a sign in the waiting room advising patients that tissues removed during procedures there would be used in research. Hence embryonic stem cells can be collected without any offense to even pro-lifers out there.

[Glengoyne]

From what I understand, embryonic stem cells are "purer" and thus better for pure research functions.

FYI, when my wife a D&C to have the non-viable embryo removed from her body last fall, there was a sign in the waiting room advising patients that tissues removed during procedures there would be used in research. Hence embryonic stem cells can be collected without any offense to even pro-lifers out there.
Exactly there are more sources than abortions. I guess I just don't understand the opposition to something that it seems should be common sense to support.

[miked]

In Germany, they have lots of stem cells trials going, including the injection of semi-differentiated stem cells into the heart after a heart attack to try and save the area. It can be used for so many things, it's foolish that the fight has to be the way it is now. Yeah, I'm in research ;)

On a side note, I can bet if Bush had a disease that scientists told him could be cured in 5 yrs if they let him do stem cell research, he might be a bit swayed...

[miked]

From what I understand, embryonic stem cells are "purer" and thus better for pure research functions.


Actually, I think there's been a big paradigm shift recently and most people are looking more at bone marrow cells, blood progenitor cells and things like that. Ebryonic stem cells aren't all that easy to work with and most likely don't help heal many diseases...but the insights that can be gained from studying them turn into different cells and tissues is priceless, and that's what gets lost in the tussle.

[Samdari]

Exactly there are more sources than abortions. I guess I just don't understand the opposition to something that it seems should be common sense to support.

Well, the opposition never made all that much sense to me, regardless. I don't think there were many women who were getting abortions to produce stem cells, nor many women who would have avoided them had embryonic stem cell research been banned. In short, I never understood how banning stem cell research would in any way get closer to the goals of reducing or elimination abortions.

miked - your last sentence describes what I was referring to as "pure" research. Embryonic cells are still much better for that sort of thing, no?

[MrBug708]

Stem cell research and cloning are two separate issues and hope they always stay that way.

[miked]

miked - your last sentence describes what I was referring to as "pure" research. Embryonic cells are still much better for that sort of thing, no?

They are really cool. We use mouse stem cells in the lab (obviously for mice) and they provide so much insight for tons of diseases (we're cardiology, so heart failure, heart attacks). The amount of money spent on treating heart failure is insane and the treatments are sub-par...it's so important in tons of areas but for some reason the focus appears to be whether to define a stem cell as life, rather than thinking of the lives that could be saved.

[Antmeister]

From what I understand, embryonic stem cells are "purer" and thus better for pure research functions.

FYI, when my wife a D&C to have the non-viable embryo removed from her body last fall, there was a sign in the waiting room advising patients that tissues removed during procedures there would be used in research. Hence embryonic stem cells can be collected without any offense to even pro-lifers out there.

Wow! Thanks for sharing that information. Yes, from what I understand, the reason why embryonic stem cell research is an attractive option right now is that they can reproduce themselves a number of times with differentiating (meaning that they don't turn into a heart blood cell or muscle cell, etc.) Therefore they can make batches of these cells and send them to a number of labs everywhere to do research on them. Plus embryonic stem cells are not likely to be rejected if placed into another person.

I can't believe I know so much about this subject now after knowing nothing a month ago. So I guess school is good for something. It's really fascinating stuff and I hope that people get a better understanding of it before assuming it is closely resembling abortion.

[Sharpieman]

It's sad that our President is so fogged by the religious-right that he can't help out those who are dying. Even though a majority of Americans support stem cell research Bush has ignored us. Stem cell research can not only be used for cancer, but Nancy Reagan would tell you it can maybe eventually slow down or prevent alzheimers. Also further research would allow us to possibly prevent Lou Gerhigs.

[Bubba Wheels]

It's sad that our President is so fogged by the religious-right that he can't help out those who are dying. Even though a majority of Americans support stem cell research Bush has ignored us. Stem cell research can not only be used for cancer, but Nancy Reagan would tell you it can maybe eventually slow down or prevent alzheimers. Also further research would allow us to possibly prevent Lou Gerhigs.

"Soylent Green is....PEOPLE!!!!"

[judicial clerk]

The concern that stem cell research will lead to more people choosing to have abortions is the same as the concern that if a person is an organ donor, doctors will be more likely to let the person die to harvest their organs. I personally do not buy into either concern, and I definitly want doctors to use all responsible and ethical methods to combat/cure such horrific afflictions as Lou Gherig's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The thought of having cures to these and other diseases within our reach and not taking the opportunity for political reasons breaks my heart and pisses me off.