migamoo

Hey everyone. I'm currently writing a paper on the topic of Stem Cell Research. In it, I would like to include the opinions of people who do have an opinion on the issue. I would prefer that it is an informed, educated opinion, but I will not limit anyone to that though. So, if you'd like to help, I'd greatly appreciate it. You can choose to voice your opinion here, on this thread, or if you’d like, you can private message me. All I do ask is that you include your name (first only is okay) and your age.

But yes, onto the questions. What is your opinion of stem cell research? Do you think stem cells will help to cure crippling diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis? Do you feel adult human adult stem cells should be used over human embryonic stem cells? Should human umbilical stem cells be used as well? Do you feel there is a morality issue when it comes to using human cells, especially embryonic? Do you feel animal stem cells should be used in research as well?

I am not expecting answers to all of these questions, but if you could choose at least two, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks!

And as a p.s.: This is a very sensitive issue to some, so if you are going to debate, civility is a good thing.

Lexis

Good topic.

I think I'm pretty comfortable with the idea of stem cell research. If it can help cure people of horrible diseases that take them away far too soon. I'm not an expert on the science but from what I read, great promise has been shown in experiments indicating that stem cells really could change medicine for the better. I have lost family members to cancer and Alzheimer's so if it that might stop other people suffering its is a good thing in my book. We should at least be researching.

Cells from the umbilical cord also seem to be full of potential. I think I read about Richard Branson starting a new stem cell "bank" where parents could freeze their children's cords. Again, I'm fuzzy on the science of this - does freezing impact their usability at all?

This is such an interesting topic, I'm curious as to what other people think. I'll try and come back later and contribute a little more. I gotta run for now.

migamoo

I think freezing may some some, but very little effect on their use, but I don't know for sure. I have some articles about umbilical stem cells but haven't fully read them yet. I do know that they are classified at ADULT stem cells even though they do behave more like embryonic is some ways because of their age.

Jacob1983

I would say I'm a little conflicted on the issue because I'm pro-life and I also think you are messing with powerful forces when you steal a part of someone to make a person. I admit that it does suck that handicapped are the way they are. If we lived in a perfect world, they would be not be disabled. If scientists can use stem cells that don't come from aborted babies then it's not that bad to me.
The whole stem cell research thing capitalizes on abortion. I mean if abortion was illegal, stem cell research would be hard.
A big reason why I oppose abortion is because I've always thought it was just a convenient way to get out of one's mistakes. However, I do think abortion is understandable in extreme cases but other than that it's bad in my book.

migamoo

First and foremost, stem cell research as a whole has nothing to do with abortion. Please like to link embryonic stem cell research to abortion because scientists create blastocysts to harvest cells. These blastocysts are then destroyed. As far as I know, scientists do not use aborts fetuses to harvest stem cells, nor have they ever.

Second, there are others cells besides embryonic stem cells, these are adult stem cells. These could come from bone marrow or even umbilical-cord blood.

And third, stems cells used to create cells to help cure diseases is not creating a person. Where did you get that from?

Jacob1983

I just stated my opinion. I'm sorry that it didn't live up to your expectations.

As long as babies don't have to die, then stem cells aren't bad to me.

Stem cells create cells that change a person's biology therefore in a way you are using a tiny part of someone else to help change another person.

If you stay away from killing babies and cloning people, then I'm all for stem cell research.

*Ledi*

The same logic can be used for heart transplant surgeries, etc. They change a person's biology (as you put it), so should we get rid of them? Just answer the question, don't change the subject. A simple yes or no would be fine.

Anyway, I'm fine with stem cell research. There's no reason for me not to be.

migamoo

Jacob, it's not about living up to my expectations. But I do think that your opinion is uninformed.

Stem cells are essentially blank cells. They have no genetic make-up to a certain person whatsoever, that is why they are so useful. Proteins are what make them coax them to form whatever cell scientists would like it to be.

rose parade

I'm for stem cell research as well. Also I don't understand the whole pro-life argument. Is a certain type of life is more valuable than any other kind of life?

Jacob1983

So I'm uninformed because I'm pro-life? Is that what you're saying?
Am I stupid and uninformed to be against abortion because I believe it's wrong to kill innocent unborn babies?

We should not get rid of hear transplant surgeries. That's ridiculous. There is nothing unethical or controversial about heart transplants.

Babies are the most valuable in my opinion and millions of people would agree with me. Babies are precious, innocent, and the future of this world.

ceilirose

I'm confortable with it. Both my parents died from diseases that could potentially be helped by stem cell research. Obviously it's too late for them but if it could help others then you have to be for it. There is so much misinformation out there about exactly where the stem cells are coming from that's it's frightening.

Another thing is the number of soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan iwth serious spinal cord injurires. Most are still in their 20's/30's - if a treatment could be foudn for them within the next 10 years just think about how that would affect the quality of their life for the better.

Indian Summer

Where did anyone state, "Jacob, you're uninformed because you're pro-life?"

All I see is someone questioning the basic tenants of the stance- ie. why is a fetus' potential life more important than the mother's life?

There's plenty controversial about heart transplants if you want to look at stem cell research as being "unnatural." After all, you're technically dead on the table for a period of time. I'm not religious, but I'm pretty sure that screws with God's plans for you.

I'm all for stem cell research... even in the case of aborted fetuses. Obviously, I don't think fetuses should be aborted for the research, but otherwise they get tossed out in the trash. It confuses me why pro-life people wouldn't want something good coming out of that "baby's" death. The abortion's already happened, so they can't undo it. Why would you want the story of that "life" to end in a dumpster as opposed to helping cure some degenerative disease?

migamoo

Did I say that? No. I said I thought you were uninformed but never gave a reason. Would you like one? I don't think you've done any reading on the subject matter. If you did, you would know that abortion has nothing to do with stem cell research.

No, you are not. But this is not a thread about abortion. So, if you'd like to start one, go right ahead.

But using your logic, heart transplants are wrong because hearts are from other people, they change the biological make-up of another person.

S.A.S.H.A.

I'm all for it.

Sasha

Nab

I think a lot of the problem with this debate is that some people are misinformed or don't really understand the science behind stem cell research. I will admit that until I did a little research, I was grossly mistaken about a lot of the science behind the research.

Stem cell research is very important, and I personally am all for it. Science and medical research is all about pushing forward and taking risks. And, I'm all for that.

From the little stem cell research that has been done, we've seen some surprising and important results. I do believe that stem cell research can be used to cure diseases. I believe that the risks must be taken and that people have to move forward. All I can think is: what if no one had been able to or bothered to find ways to cure all the dieases that man has cured so far? Why not go to the next level?

That said, I also honestly believe that adult stem cells, as well as human umbilical stem cells should be allowed to be used. Correct me if I'm wrong: Weren't human umbilical stem cells stated to be the most useful in the research? So, why not use them if the parent has given the ok.


Just some thoughts. Hope they were helpful.

Oh, for your paper: Nichole, 22...and yeah,I'm disabled. Stem cell research can't help cure my issue (at least, I don't think it can. I've got C.P.), but I really hope that one day it will be used to help cure other diseases.