Stem Cell Research

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

I think it is about time for another informative debate in the Water Cooler so here we go.

Many people are hopeful, and optimistic that Stem Cell Research will cure many diseases in the future. Some disorders and diseases have all ready been cured by the use of Stem Cells. There are three main ways to obtain stem cells. Here is brief description from wikopedia of those three ways.

Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells of a specific tissue and are mostly multipotent cells. They are already being used in treatments for over one hundred diseases and conditions.

They are more accurately called somatic (Greek σωμα sōma = body) stem cells, because they need not come from adults but can also come from children or umbilical cords. Particularly interesting are adult stem cells termed "spore-like cells". They are present in all tissues (Vacanti, M. P., A. Roy, J. Cortiella, L. Bonassar, and C. A. Vacanti. 2001. "Identification and initial characterization of spore-like cells in adult mammals." J Cell Biochem 80:455–60.) and seem to survive long time periods and harsh conditions.


Embryonic stem cells
Embryonic stem cells are cultured cells obtained from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of an early stage human embryo (sometimes called a blastocyst, which is an embryo that is between 50 to 150 cells). Embryonic stem cell research is "thought to have much greater developmental potential than adult stem cells," according to the National Institutes of Health.[2] Research using embryonic stem cells remains at the zenith of stem cell science because, unlike somatic cells, embryonic stem cells are totipotent. However, research using stem cells derived from the human embryo is still in the basic research phase, as these stem cells were first isolated in 1998 (at least for humans), whereas adult stem cells have been studied since the 1960s.[3]

Research with embryonic stem cells derived from humans is controversial because, in order to start a stem cell 'line' or lineage, the destruction of a human embryo and/or therapeutic cloning is usually required. Some believe this to be a slippery slope to reproductive cloning and tantamount to the objectification of a potential human being. In an attempt to overcome these moral, political and ethical hurdles, medical researchers have been experimenting with alternative techniques of obtaining embryonic stem cells by extraction, which does not involve cloning and/or the destruction of a human embryo.

Cord blood stem cells
Cord blood stem cells are derived from the blood of the placenta and umbilical cord after birth. Since 1988 these cord blood stem cells have been used to treat Gunther's disease, Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Acute lymphocytic leukemia and many more problems occurring mostly in children.

Umbilical cord blood use has become so common that there are now umbilical cord blood banks that accept donations from parents. It is collected by removing the umbilical cord, cleansing it and withdrawing blood from the umbilical vein. This blood is then immediately analyzed for infectious agents and the tissue-type is determined. The cord blood is processed and depleted of red blood cells before being stored in liquid nitrogen for later use, at which point it is thawed, washed of the cryoprotectant, and injected through a vein of the patient. This kind of treatment, where the stem cells are collected from another donor, is called allogeneic treatment. When the cells are collected from the same patient on whom they will be used, it is called autologous and when collected from identical individuals (i.e. homozygous twin), it is referred to as syngeneic. Xenogeneic

What is very controversial about Stem Cell research is Embryonic Stem Cell Research and in fact it is illegal in the U.S.

So what is your take on this?

I am against Embryonic Stem Cell Research because of the fact that the the cells are taken from an embryo. I support the other two types.

Freak

Does this explain Edward Scissorhands?

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

I didn't want to start a new thread for it but just thought that I would note that Congress passed a bill to fund new Embryonic Stem Cell research.

President Bush vetoed it.

Freak

Does this explain Edward Scissorhands?

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

I don't know anything about Edward Scissorhands, so I guess not.

Mr. Kennedy

Even though Bush vetoed it(and supporters don't seem to have enough votes to overturn it), Democrats can still use this to help them in the midterm elections like the Republicans used gay marriage in 2004.

I am disappointed Bush decided to make this his first veto, stem cell research can be used to help SAVE human lives but he doesn't seem to care. Hopefully the next president agrees to increase funding for it.

Visit and shop for video games at my Amazon-based store, also get discounted HD DVDs while they last.

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

President Bush funded research for existing lines of Embryonic Stem Cells but will not allow them to destroy more embryos needlessly. They can use Adult Stem Cells and Cord Blood Stem Cells.

To take a life to TRY and save others is not a choice that we should make.

Jayman

Super Moderator

I am one sided on this debate. My fiance has Diabetes (type I - juvenile), and it has been reported by many credible sources that stem cells could in fact cure the disease. Now, I don't know if you guys know about the disease, but she has to give herself 3 insulin injection shots a day. Not to mention, constantly regulate her blood sugar, and when her blood sugar skyrockets or gets low, she is completely dependant upon others to help her.

Now, I voted for George Bush in the last election, but I can't agree with his decision to veto it. The embryos taken for this research are from non-living beings. So I cannot understand his veto. I just wish he would put aside his conversative beliefs for a minute and THINK about an issue before acting so quickly.

Or, he could always just give another back rub to a high-ranking official from France.

And now, here it is...your moment of Carlin (10/13/2008)


Anything but the Present

America has no now. We're reluctant to acknowledge the present. It's too embarrassing.

Instead, we reach into the past. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, rereleases, re-creations, reenactments, adaptations, anniversaries, memorabilia, oldies radio, and nostalgia record collections. World War II has been regought on television so many times, the Germans and Japanese are now drawing residuals.

Of course, being essentially out of shit, we sometiems feel the need to dress up this past preoccupation, as with pathetic references to reruns as "encore presentations".

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

Research with embryonic stem cells derived from humans is controversial because, in order to start a stem cell 'line' or lineage, the destruction of a human embryo and/or therapeutic cloning is usually required. Some believe this to be a slippery slope to reproductive cloning and tantamount to the objectification of a potential human being.

I can understand why you would want this research, but these Stem Cells do not come from non-living beings. It is the destruction of a human embryo which also means the destruction of a human life. I believe life starts at conception.

Jayman

Super Moderator

Well that is where we disagree. I believe that life begins at birth. When people die, the way to honor them is through a funeral. Since funerals are not given to embryos or fetuses, I do not believe that is a stage of life. Your age is measured by the day you are born as well. Therefore, my belief is that birth determines when your life starts.

But hey, I understand your side of it, too.

And now, here it is...your moment of Carlin (10/13/2008)


Anything but the Present

America has no now. We're reluctant to acknowledge the present. It's too embarrassing.

Instead, we reach into the past. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, rereleases, re-creations, reenactments, adaptations, anniversaries, memorabilia, oldies radio, and nostalgia record collections. World War II has been regought on television so many times, the Germans and Japanese are now drawing residuals.

Of course, being essentially out of shit, we sometiems feel the need to dress up this past preoccupation, as with pathetic references to reruns as "encore presentations".