What Do You Think About Stem Cell Research?
On Thursday, January 17th, MSNBC reported that scientists have been able to produce cloned human embryos that were developed from skin cells from 2 men.
The ultimate goal of this study was to create stem cells which could be used someday to treat chronic conditions like Parkinson's disease and diabetes, as well as other debilitating diseases and conditions.
There was another study reported the same day, by MSNBC, which has had good results with creating stem cells from a single cell extracted from an 8-celled embryo. This technique does not appear to harm the embryos.
There are several ethical dilemmas surrounding stem cell research. The heart of the matter is that a major source of stems cells for research at this time come from human embryos. Even though scientists are looking at other possible ways to create stem cells, most of the research so far today involves embryos.
What are your thoughts on stem cell research?
Do you think that finding cures for many major diseases and conditions outweighs the fact that scientists are using human embryos for research?
Tell us what you think about stem cell research by hitting the "comment" button at the bottom of this article or emailing your About.com Guide to Diabetes at diabetes.guide@about.com
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Comments
I feel we have to continue this research for the treatment of many deceases. There will alway be tree huggers and animal rights activist. Why does the majority have to suffer for a few minorities. Go for it.
If a human being has the knowlege to create a cure it is a gods gift and should be used.
Type 1, 56 years.The Detroit News, 11/30/07, Charles Krauthammer.
Announcement of a great break-through.An embryo-free way to produce genetically matched stem cells.
The embryonic stem cell debate is over, according to this article. It goes on to say, produce stem cells through “de-differentiation” of adult cells, thus bypassing the creation of human embryos.Charles writes for Washington Post.
The end NEVER lustifies the means
I am not against research to help cure diseases however if a human embryo has to be used, then absolutely not. Just because a embryo has not been born yet, does not mean it is not alive. I know that this is not popular- but being popular is not important to someone that is pro-life from the beginning of life- in the embryonic stage until death.
The embrionic research was groundbreaking and necessary. I believe the benefit for all mankind outweighs the ethical issues.
Diabetics, please research article #3.
EMBYROS NO LONGER NEEDED!!
The pro choice vrs. pro life discussion is now history.
As a pro-lifer, I rejoice at this monumental scientific break-through.
I feel that stemcell research is so important to mankind that it must continue no matter where the stemcells come from,.
I am all for adult stem cells being used and for cord cells as well (umnbilical cord), but I do not agree with using embryos.
A human embryo is a human being. We should not be killing humans. Period. Abortion is an atrocity in this country as it is. No one has any respect for human life anymore. Read the papers. People murder their own children every single day. I have taken embryology and studied conception. When a sperm and an egg combine it makes a human being. Even when it is still just one cell it is a unique and individual human being with its own set of unique genes. As for the lie of evolution, that is why people don’t respect human life anymore. Who cares about humans since “they just came from other animals anyway?” Every human being is a unique person and human life should be respected. How can anyone say its okay for “human abortions” to be acceptable and at the same time want to “save the whales?” It is a horror on massive scale. This earth is unique and it is doomed with this attitude. But since the time of personal responsibility and respect for human life is gone, we all better start watching our backs. Killing the aged humans is not far behind. Open your eyes. Using human embryos for research is wrong, wrong, wrong.
As somebody who has been peripherally involved in stem cell research. The VAST majority of stem cell research has absolutely nothing to do with embryonic stem cells. The press always put embryonic with stem cell and only seems interested in reporting the embryonic research.
Some of the most promising research is to do with banking your own stems cells as a newborn, probably from the umbilical cord, and then using your own cells at a later date for your heart disease, etc. Stem cells for this type of research come from donated umblical cords or adults.
Get the facts, not the hype.
Im against stem cell research. They always show the pros but never the cons. What about the effects of it? If you use your own cells as someone mentioned, whats to say that the clone doesnt develope the same disease again? Why not just find a cure instead of a short cut? They have all these scientist doing all of these experiments why not just go ahead and find a cure for all of these diseases. Short cuts is not the answer. Supplementing isnt either. Put your heads together and find a reasonable cure. Thats my opinion.
If it’s ok to produce the embryos in the first place without compunction then to use them to cure/mitigate disease/lesions especially genetic ones should be ok .. I understand their use need NOT harm the embryo .. what is to happen to those POOR orphaned embryos? Decisions like this should be governed by common sense FROM THE START not a RELIGIOUS METAPHOR AFTERWARD!
I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 23 years. Been in a coma twice. For the love of God, if there’s a way it can be done now without harming human embryos then by all means… DO IT. If you’re still against it, that’s ok. Just thank God you live in America and can voice your opinion.
look the fight is over the embryos are no longer needed .THATS IT END OF THE STORY,IM A JUVENILE DIABETIC 30 YEARS !I HOPE THE F.D.A DOSENT HIDE IT AWAY FOR 20 YEARS , CURE ,CURE , so many people this can help.
We should support stem cell research to restored the good lifestyles of our loved ones, even if this means retrieving stem cells from human embryos.
However, techniques should be simultaneously researched to prevent harming the human embryos.
Imagine suffering from a chronic disease all you life? Now imagine having to give yourself 6 injections a day because you’re insulin resistant and a diabetic…imagine getting neuropathy, numbness in the fingers and feet, pain all over your arms, bladder difficulties and to top it all off a chronic back irritation that fluctuates 24/7 and prevents you from having a life all…you can’t work, can’t go to school because it flares up too much that you feel like screaming. I’ve witnessed my sister suffer tremendously everyday of her life, neverending….
if stem cell could cure her i’d support it without a doubt instead of watching her suffer like this. If using human embryos is unfair, then isn’t the suffering of these people who are already on earth unfair?
Maggie, I don’t have to imagine…. thanks for your words and support
IDDM x 20 years
RE: David’s comment on Jan 21:
I think we should ask ourselves, “If this cure is from God, why is God no longer pro-life?” Is it moral to kill one human being (embryo) in order to cure another human being? God is not doing the killing; it is man that is killing these embryos and man does not have the right to decide who is to live and who is to die. That is the right that Adolf Hitler tried to take and that is the right that millions of women have taken through facilitators such as Planned Parenthood.
I say Adult stem cells are the only way to go. I have been Insulin dependent for 37 years and have recently had a kidney transplant. Toronto university has shown that injecting chili pepper capsicum into the pancreas nerves in mice cured them overnight. Human trials were to start late 07. But as you know there is too much money involved and you will most likely never see a cure. Maybe drugs that can be taken every day like insulin but not a cure. Sad but true. - Pete
Thanks to the scientists who are engaged themselves in Stem-cells Research for helping the millions of people who are suffering from diabetes,parkinsons etc.Research on insulin secreting cells will be the best gifts-to human beings.Keep it up -for the betterment of Human race.My hearty congratulation for this endeavour.
I am disheartened to find that so many scientists have been deceived into thinking that Embryonic stem cells are the gold standard for finding cures to the many things that ail us. There are so many other opportunities in adult stem cells and cord blood that have been underfunded and scoffed at by the “experts”. Why when there is success using cures that DO NOT destroy life would the scientific community continue to push to destroy embryos. Unfortunately some have been blinded to the truth. Thanks to those who continue to seek an alternative to embryonic stem cell research.