Stem Cells from aborted fetuses

Kevin · #1 06-08-2004, 11:15 AM

I heard recently (from a friend who is an MD) that in some test cases they were able to get seven (I think that's the right number) out of seven patients treated with stem cells for severe congestive heart failure to regenerate their dead heart tissues simply by injecting their own stem cells into the heart. All seven of the patients have since been released from the hostpital and are on their ways to full recoveries. None were expected to live for very long without this treatment.

It really opens the eyes though as to what this technology could mean to the medical field. We could cure countless diseases and drastically improve the quality of life for many people.

There is a major contraversy over whether human stem cells from aborted fetuses should be used to further medical science -- and in the event of a breakthrough, be used to cure diseases (like Alzheimer's).

I can see the justification in objecting to doctors actually paying women to harvest fetuses from their wombs in order to obtain stem cells. However, I can't see the justification in just allowing this resource to simply be destroyed when tapping it could mean so much good could be done.

I believe that in this case we are wasting a valuable resource. Whatever your stance on abortion. It happens. This is the only good that I can see coming of this. Anyone have an opinion?

honeychile · #2 06-08-2004, 11:37 AM

My family is pro-life. My father had a series of neurological problems, and was one of the early "guinea pigs" for botox. But when he was offered stem cells, he turned them down.

I see nothing wrong with creating some sort of medical bank to preserve umbilical cords, but once stem cell research becomes legal/acceptable, you're going to have thousands of women having babies aborted for spare parts. I can only pray that we never morally sink so low!

Rudey · #3 06-08-2004, 11:39 AM

I fully support it.

-Rudey

Honeykiss1974 · #4 06-08-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by honeychile

I see nothing wrong with creating some sort of medical bank to preserve umbilical cords, but once stem cell research becomes legal/acceptable, you're going to have thousands of women having babies aborted for spare parts. I can only pray that we never morally sink so low!

I understand your sentiments Honeychile.

ZTAngel · #5 06-08-2004, 11:42 AM

If we can possibly find a cure for Alzheimer's and other terminal diseases, I am all for using stem cells from aborted fetuses.

Lady Pi Phi · #6 06-08-2004, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by honeychile
...but once stem cell research becomes legal/acceptable, you're going to have thousands of women having babies aborted for spare parts. I can only pray that we never morally sink so low!

I don't see that happening unless doctors, labs, etc start offering these women compensation for the stem cells.

mrblonde · #7 06-08-2004, 11:46 AM

If a child dies, the parents have the right to donate that childs body to science for study, or perhaps organ donation. I see no difference between this and stem cells.

Rudey · #8 06-08-2004, 11:54 AM

You know people always concentrate on the what ifs, and they take the what ifs to an extreme. What if we had a baby factory with sweat shop pregnant workers constantly making fetuses for us?

-Rudey
--What if pigs could fly?

GeekyPenguin · #9 06-08-2004, 11:57 AM

Completely support it.

valkyrie · #10 06-08-2004, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
You know people always concentrate on the what ifs, and they take the what ifs to an extreme. What if we had a baby factory with sweat shop pregnant workers constantly making fetuses for us?

-Rudey
--What if pigs could fly?

True. Why would anyone have an abortion she wouldn't otherwise have so the parts could be used for medical research? Would women just think that's such a fun idea they'd be lining up on the streets to do it? I'm about as pro choice as they come, and I can't even imagine anyone doing that. It would be easy enough to prohibit compensation for it -- aren't there laws against selling body parts?

AlphaGamDiva · #11 06-08-2004, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie
True. Why would anyone have an abortion she wouldn't otherwise have so the parts could be used for medical research? Would women just think that's such a fun idea they'd be lining up on the streets to do it? I'm about as pro choice as they come, and I can't even imagine anyone doing that. It would be easy enough to prohibit compensation for it -- aren't there laws against selling body parts?

i think you're right (but i do see your concern as well, honeychile)....as far as laws against selling body parts, i dunno. aren't there some ppl getting, i dunno, a couple thousand for their eggs? maybe not a body part, really, but still.....??

valkyrie · #12 06-08-2004, 12:38 PM

As far as I know, people can sell eggs and sperm. I'd never do it myself, but it's legal, probably because lawmakers like the idea behind it because it helps people have babies.

The1calledTKE · #13 06-08-2004, 12:50 PM

I support it.

#14 06-08-2004, 01:00 PM

Support it.

#15 06-08-2004, 02:45 PM

I support stem cell research. If it can create a cure to Parkinsons and Alzhiemers i say go for it. I buried a grandfather last yr who had both and if it can s ave a human being and their family what we and the reagans and any other family went through it should be performed. this is a brain diease and all dieases should have some support for research to cure the problem.