Stem Cell Research

[JohnFKennedy]

Let's get some debate going on this issue.

What do you all think, is stem cell research a good thing?

[Josh/Devilman88]

No.

[JohnFKennedy]

No.

Come on! Lets get some debate going! State why!

[Josh/Devilman88]

I don't know that much about it. And what I know, I don't even know if it is true....

[JohnFKennedy]

I don't know that much about it. And what I know, I don't even know if it is true....

It basically involves taking cultures of stem cells from the umbilical cord of a baby, these cells match those in the body and can be used to grow new organs and new tissue for people with severe wounds or cancers I believe.

I am not sure if any studies prove that it works or not, Nancy Reagan is a firm supporter of it I believe.

[Brambila]

No, I do not. Even at it's earliest form, the zygote is a human being and therefore must be protected. It would be morally abhorrent to create a life for it's own destruction. Further, we don't even know if this is going to work.

I think that using adult stem cells, which are gotten from adult tissue such as fat and bone marrow, is a good alternative. It does not end a life, and in a lot of ways it's superior to the embryotic stem cells in that it's much more stable.

Laura Bush, whose father died from Alzeimers, said:

"We need to balance the interest in science with moral issues"

[JohnFKennedy]

No, I do not. Even at it's earliest form, the zygote is a human being and therefore must be protected. It would be morally abhorrent to create a life for it's own destruction. Further, we don't even know if this is going to work.

I think that using adult stem cells, which are gotten from adult tissue such as fat and bone marrow, is a good alternative. It does not end a life, and in a lot of ways it's superior to the embryotic stem cells in that it's much more stable.

I think they now take the cells from the umbilical cord rather than an aborted foetus.

[Josh/Devilman88]

Well If you are NOT killing the baby then yes it is ok. BUT if you are killing the baby then NO.

[Brambila]

I don't know about that, but the one everyone wants is embryotic stem cell research, where it is impossible to get the stem cell without killing the embryo. As long as you're not killing the fetus, it's ok.

[Josh/Devilman88]

I don't know about that, but the one everyone wants is embryotic stem cell research, where it is impossible to get the stem cell without killing the embryo.

Well then no am not for this idea. Killing a human is disgraceful.

[Brambila]

Yeah, JFK, the only reason why this is a contraversial issue is because of embryotic stem cell research. I don't think umbilibcal research is contraversial.

[JohnFKennedy]

http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org/About/FAQ.htm#3

There is information about stem cell research there.

Another website I found states you can take stem cells from umbilical cords.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/res_stem1.htm

Here is another one.

As abortion is currently legal in the USA, if a woman gets an abortion, do you then think the cells could be used for stem cell research? The foetus will be being killed anyway, do you think it should be used in scientific research then or should it be totally illegal with foetuses.

[Fritz]

As a person suffering from both diabetes and parkinsons disease, I FULLY and COMPLETELY support stem cell research.

[Gustaf]

As a person suffering from both diabetes and parkinsons disease, I FULLY and COMPLETELY support stem cell research.

I am sorry to hear that. My grand-father had Parkinson.

I am somewhat ambivalent on this issue. On the one hand I am all for progress and I feel compassion towards those in need. Ont he other hand, it migth be opening a Pandora's Box.

[Brambila]

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Absolutely not. However, I would support using fetuses from miscarriages if the mother consents. If you use the aborted fetuses for stem cell research, that encourages abortion. I do not want to ever encourage such an atrocious action, and therefore condemn any stem cell research on abortion fetuses.

[zachman]

Society needs to move as fast as it can to improve science and particularly medicine. I'll come out against cloning right now, because that seems unnecessary, but imagine if we got clone Einstein or Gandhi.

[JohnFKennedy]

Society needs to move as fast as it can to improve science and particularly medicine. I'll come out against cloning right now, because that seems unnecessary, but imagine if we got clone Einstein or Gandhi.

I would prefer the use of stem cell research to help Stephen Hawking.

[opebo]

I'm all for it, of course.  Heck I'd do just about anything to live a longer, healthier life.

[KEmperor]

Support private research?  Absolutely.  
Support government funded research?  Absolutely not.

[Nym90]

Yes.