 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stem cell research and human cloning
| View Poll Results: What do you think of stem cell research? | |||
| For it completely |     | 4 | 44.44% |
| Against it completely |    | 1 | 11.11% |
| Against human embryonic stem cell research |    | 2 | 22.22% |
| other |    | 2 | 22.22% |
| Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll | |||
 |
This is quite a controversial subject in the United States. I have been to many genetic conferences at several colleges, and stem cells were discussed in depth. I find it all very interesting, and I was just wondering what others thought of this matter. Most people believe human embryonic stem cell research/harvesting to be immoral, and I do agree that it has not produced the kinds of results that adult stem cells have so far. But, it appears as if we are discovering more about embryonic stem cells: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19067616/
Last edited by joshSCH; Jun 6th, 2007 at 9:14 pm.
•
•
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,052
Reputation: 
Solved Threads: 139
I don't see any reason it's immoral to do things with non-thinking cells, as long as they're yours to do things with. Of course, government subsidization of this research is immoral.
All my posts may be redistributed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
•
•
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,329
Reputation:
Solved Threads: 4
I picked other, because I haven't researched this particular topic and I don't know much about it.
I have heard that it is considered wrong from various different people in my religion, but I'm not familiar with the whole process.
Can someone briefly explain this to me?
I have heard that it is considered wrong from various different people in my religion, but I'm not familiar with the whole process.
Can someone briefly explain this to me?
I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. -The Notebook
This is my first attempt at posting a reply so I hope it works out. First of all, I am no expert but I perhaps a layman's perception might be a good starting point for you.
Probably the important thing about stem cells is that they can be grown into a variety of specialised tissues to help repair or even replace damaged tissue (perhpas even spinal nerve cells one day).
The controversy is over the source over the type of stem cell: adult or embryonic (there is another but I can't recall what it is). There has been a great deal of success with trials using adult stem cells and because this is less controversial, more funding is generally available. Adult stem cells cannot provide unlimied expansion though and this is where in theory embryonic stems cells should have an advantage. The big problem is that these cells can only be harvested by destroying the embryo or by providing a good supply through cloning.
I am sure you can see how this falls foul within a number of religions.
Just my two cents worth...
Probably the important thing about stem cells is that they can be grown into a variety of specialised tissues to help repair or even replace damaged tissue (perhpas even spinal nerve cells one day).
The controversy is over the source over the type of stem cell: adult or embryonic (there is another but I can't recall what it is). There has been a great deal of success with trials using adult stem cells and because this is less controversial, more funding is generally available. Adult stem cells cannot provide unlimied expansion though and this is where in theory embryonic stems cells should have an advantage. The big problem is that these cells can only be harvested by destroying the embryo or by providing a good supply through cloning.
I am sure you can see how this falls foul within a number of religions.
Just my two cents worth...
•
•
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,329
Reputation:
Solved Threads: 4
Ahh... I see...
I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. -The Notebook
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by AlanR 
This is my first attempt at posting a reply so I hope it works out. First of all, I am no expert but I perhaps a layman's perception might be a good starting point for you.
Probably the important thing about stem cells is that they can be grown into a variety of specialised tissues to help repair or even replace damaged tissue (perhpas even spinal nerve cells one day).
The controversy is over the source over the type of stem cell: adult or embryonic (there is another but I can't recall what it is). There has been a great deal of success with trials using adult stem cells and because this is less controversial, more funding is generally available. Adult stem cells cannot provide unlimied expansion though and this is where in theory embryonic stems cells should have an advantage. The big problem is that these cells can only be harvested by destroying the embryo or by providing a good supply through cloning.
I am sure you can see how this falls foul within a number of religions.
Just my two cents worth...
I was just thinking of how I should explain it, but you generalized it pretty well. There are a limited amount of embryonic stem cells that exist only in the blastocyst, and only a few weeks after conception.. These cells possess telomease-they are biologically immortal. These cells become specialized cells soon after, and are usually considered pluripotent, b/c they can become any of the 220 cells in the body. They become cells such as cardiac muscle brain cells, wbc's. spinal cord, rods and cones, etc.. And as you can imagine, they are wanted for this remarkable ability of becoming ANY cell in the human body. Adult cells are already specialized cells, and they are usually a lot older... Further stem cell research may be able to cure many diseases of today.. but, embryonic stem cell research is not backed by the U.S. government b/c it is considered 'immoral' since it involves the creation and destruction of a human embryo. Some people agree, others disagree. Personally, I think embryonic stem cell research should be legal, and funded just like everything else.. Last edited by joshSCH; Jun 7th, 2007 at 1:12 am.
•
•
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,329
Reputation:
Solved Threads: 4
Ahh... so the biggest problem is, people tend to think of it as abortion?
I personally think that embryonic stem cell research is a good idea if it can save lives... but only if it doesn't involve destroying other lives at the same time.
I thought I heard something about the introduction of new experiments that allows the embryo to not be harmed through the process... I don't know if that's true though.
I personally think that embryonic stem cell research is a good idea if it can save lives... but only if it doesn't involve destroying other lives at the same time.
I thought I heard something about the introduction of new experiments that allows the embryo to not be harmed through the process... I don't know if that's true though.
I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. -The Notebook
hmm.. I don't know how the embryo wouldn't be harmed. Its embryonic cells are harvested, which is completely detrimental to its life.
Also, the embryo is usually created in a lab, and Christians are upset b/c scientists are basically creating life, harvesting a few cells, and then destroying the embryo. Some people argue that the embryo is not yet 'alive' at the time the cells are harvested, but most people believe that the second it becomes a zygote, it is considered a living human being.
Also, the embryo is usually created in a lab, and Christians are upset b/c scientists are basically creating life, harvesting a few cells, and then destroying the embryo. Some people argue that the embryo is not yet 'alive' at the time the cells are harvested, but most people believe that the second it becomes a zygote, it is considered a living human being.
•
•
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,329
Reputation:
Solved Threads: 4
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by joshSCH
hmm.. I don't know how the embryo wouldn't be harmed. Its embryonic cells are harvested, which is completely detrimental to its life.
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by joshSCH
Also, the embryo is usually created in a lab, and Christians are upset b/c scientists are basically creating life, harvesting a few cells, and then destroying the embryo. Some people argue that the embryo is not yet 'alive' at the time the cells are harvested, but most people believe that the second it becomes a zygote, it is considered a living human being.
The zygote is considered a living organism, it is the beginning of a human life. A human could not develop without this stage. I'm aggressively against abortion unless it is under the right circumstances [like rape]. And I didn't develop this kind of mindset while being a Christian... I've just always felt like it was wrong.
Embryonic stem cell research is a different story though, and I think I should start reading some information on it. Although I'm already starting to not like it, I'm kind of in between as of now.
I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. -The Notebook
|
Other Threads in the Geeks' Lounge Forum
- Previous Thread: Because of Daniweb....
- Next Thread: 9/11 revisited
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
You need to join our community in order to build your list of favorite forums. You can visit the forum index for a listing of all forums.
Latest Geeks' Lounge Posts
- Today's Posts
- Unanswered Threads
Related Forum Features
article bankrupt bankruptcy bear beard beijing bot children clocks code cognitive_disorder complaint console consoles convert cracked.com daniweb design development disk election empty facebook feed financialcrisis fun games gaming garbage google grandtheftauto gta halo3 hardware hunting internet java kindle knife library life linux mad manly marketing mars merger microsoft murder netbook networking news nintendo obama odf operating opinion os outlook pain parentalcontrol parenting planning playstation population ps3 ps4 python research rss search security sims software sony source study subversion survey systems tablet thelostanddamned timeisonmyside. unused usarmy vapid videogames viruses wakoopa wave wii windows windows>all windows_wins world wow www xbox xbox360 zomg_conspiracy
