Totally support it!

Re: Re: Re: Stem Cells from aborted fetuses
 

The issues with cloning animals are they are extremely sickly animals. Many die before any real experiments can be done on them. It is unknown why they die so quickly or rapidly. Over time, I think it will workout...

The price one has to pay to do that kind of project can sometimes be too much rather than doing "fundable" research that will get one published...

When one is young in his or her studies, research must be "cranked out" and rapidly published. No discourse on the "intellectual concepts" of the wonders of science can happen to advance into higher positions.

However, once a researcher has a "stable" position, then he or she can study whatever they want to study as long as they stay funded... But even that can be variable...

That is what I mean as worth it. It is not a matter of how much I believe it is a good idea, it is a matter of how often the experiments can be repeated by many others and if it was interesting to the "common good"...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Stem Cells from aborted fetuses
 

What happened in the Clinton years was James Wilson at the University of Penn did not check his materials before injecting a 16 year old that had a genetic disease with a "therapeutic gene"... The 16 year old was asymptomatic of the genetic disease, but he was beginning to show signs of dysfunctional metabolism and this disease progresses rapidly once the changes in metabolism are observed...

Anyhow, this kid, who really did not need gene therapy died. At first it was unclear why he died. But upon further investigation, the material that was used contained something that caused anaphylactic shock to the kid--this boy was allergic to a gene never shown to cause anything in humans... So much for SNP's...

Additionally, the boy's father was a lawyer... And the father sued James Wilson and his merry band of scientist for malpractice...

It took an act of Congress to "do" something about "gene therapy"... That is why I think the "stem cell" debate must occur so that folks do not get killed by trying to get treated... Full disclosure documents with waivers and nobody trying to make a buck like Dr. Wilson... And believe me, when I asked him a question 5 years before the boy's death, he was acting like he was trying to make a buck...

bump
 

Given the deaths of both Ken Caminiti and Christopher Reeves due to HEART DISEASE, and the discussion on stem cell research by both presidential candidates and many other candidates--and the fact the California will be having a vote on stem cell research, it just seems fitting to bump this topic up front...

In my professional opinion and my work and understanding in Big Pharma, most of the uses of embryonic stem cells WILL be for the treatment of heart disease and may be diabetes--specifically, type 2 insulin resistance diabetic complications--e.g. blindness or loss of circulation to limbs... Not really for the diseases mentioned by Nancy Reagan and Michael J. Fox... However, treatment for Parkinson's does show a greater promise for the use of embryonic stem cell therapy... But it will be heart disease that will be the biggest money maker for this therapy...

And cancer will not get treated by embryonic stem cells--who wants to stick these pricey cells into an "infected" body that will get destroyed anyway with no recourse??? Extremely genetically modified embryonic stem cells could be used, but retroviral suicide vectors may be more important for the treatment of cancers...

I read an article by a Christian Minister that said that god works in mysterious ways, and maybe it was god's will to use stem cells because it was like god was showing us how to make our lives better. Seriously, if you don't think its a good idea then don't accept treatment but don't take medicine from other people.

ITs a natural thing to do, stem cell research.

Beavers make dams we do science.

Let's not admonish those who choose not to participate in experiemental procedures for religious, moral, or ethical reasons. It's their choice and it should be respected. It's not right or wrong. It's their choice.

When my mom was first getting treated for ovarian cancer, her oncologist approached our family with having her participate in clinical trials for research. Some family members did not agree that my mom should be used as a guinea pig for pharmaceutical companies. Myself and others thought what a great opportunity for her as well to able to tell her grandchild that she participated in something that will help others that have her disease. My mom went through with the experimental treatment. And is six months cancer free after battling over 2 yrs. My family was lucky. It's a crapshoot. The treatment could have easily failed her.

It was not an easy decision and there are alot of risks involved.
Until a family member is put in that situation, you have no idea how you'll react. The potential side effects are numerous. The quality of life of the participant is not guaranteed.There is no financial compensation nor should there be.

Stem-cell research should continue to be funded and let those who want to participate do and let those that don't be left alone.

Re: bump
 

From what I've read, this type of treatment doesn't even hold much hope for alzheimers.

-Rudey

This is the point I was going to make, so COSIGN!

To my fellow Christians
 

To those who oppose this based on Christian law, do you not believe that the spirit leaves the body upon death? If so, corpses are just a sack of flesh destined to degenerate where buried. If the baby's spirit is already with God, then why not use the flesh for a good purpose?

I know, its all a matter of opinion whether or not abortion is murder. I've heard every side of the abortion issue and as a practicing Catholic, I will always be 100% prolife. (Good thing I'm not going into politics.) Even if I was not a Christian/Catholic I don't think I would support it.

My issue with fetal stem cell research is that these babies were not respected in life (murdered), & by using them for their cells we are also disrespecting them in death.

I am for research in other areas that don't involve abortion.

Are you saying that you believe it is a child when it is aborted? That is another issue that everyone disputes, when life actually begins.

whoa whoa whoa - as a charitable christian, surely you can get that utilizing these cells to save lives is the antithesis of dishonor. Sure I'm a little biased here, but honestly, this is some important stuff - even if we're decades away, it's the next brick on the path.

And for what it's worth, not all of this type of research depends on abortions.

Re: Re: Stem Cells from aborted fetuses
 

Quoting this because I think a lot of people have misconceptions about where stem cells come from (I know I did until I did more research). I know someone who has an 18-month-old boy suffering from Krabbe's disease. His only hope is a stem cell transplant from the umbilical cord of another healthy little boy.

While I admit that some of the things we can do with science to scare the heck out of me, I think if it is used properly, stem cell research can be very beneficial.

I am well aware of the point you are making. See the last line of my post that you quoted.

That's where my faith comes in. Lets exhaust every other resource in trying to find cures or treatments for diseases, that don't involve abortion. I WILL NEVER support stem cell research when used from aborted babies.

This is a heated debate from both sides emotionally. On one side, there are those that feel abortion is murder. On the other, those that have watched their loved ones suffer from disease. (I also fall into this category, but the first wins out for me.)

Its not a heated issue at all.

Stem cell research shows lots of promise in a field that seems to be stagnating. ITs an actual paradigm shift versus just a refinement.

The subjects they get the stem cells from are already dead.

Whats there to be emotional about? I could see people getting upset if this was like the movie Soylent Green where they were collecting and killing the poor to provide food for others.

In this case, let me say it again, the subjects are already dead.

ETA: I don't believe the people have control over the aborted fetus anyway do they? I mean you can't take it home with you or anything right?

So instead of burning it, trashing it or whatever, it can be used to potentially help people. A win-win situation.