Stem Cell Research?

Question Religion

Stem Cell Research?

by Butterfly Kisses Posted November 04, 2009 21:56:37

7 answers
Read all 12 comments

Just curious. I'm totally against abortion and all that. But I'm wondering what exactly stem cell research is. My biology teacher told me that it's like taking an enzyme (like a couple days after the sperm and egg meet) and terminating it. Of course they can use the cells to cure almost anything, or so they thing. I would ordinarily be against it, if it weren't for the fact that the cells are BLANK. They can be turned into any cell at all! So technically it wouldn't even be a life yet, correct? As the cells haven't even developed much at all, and they have the potential to be a blood cell, or a bone cell, or anything. But maybe my teacher is slanting the information, and I'm misinformed. Can someone, especially who is ordinarily prolife- 'cuz I believe a "fetus" is still a life, tell me their thoughts?

EDIT: I'm not talking about adult stem cells, anyone have any thought on those, btw? My bio teacher said that you can only take ones from the blood and bones and they don't do much.

Answers
Results
Recommend This

Sort By

Most Raves
Least Raves
Oldest
Newest

text size

Comments

pink bambi ~ In Muse I Trust ~ November 05, 2009 13:12:36

Answered: Well I'm pro-choice, and....
I believe that stem cells are incredibly important to the future of science and medicine. Whether or not you believe in abortion, it is vital that these cells are harnessed in order to create cures for debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease. There is new hope for those suffering, hope that was never fathomed and this hope does not HAVE to come from a fetus. Stem cells can be found in the umbilical cord as well which if removed quickly, can provide an excellent harvesting site.
+1 raves
Zac November 05, 2009 04:28:38

Answered: Well, I'm pro-life and....
Is not wrong. There are several ways to obtain these.

The whole reason for theses cells is because they are pluripotent which means they can devolop into many different tissues of the body which could cure many dieses.

Embryonic stem cells: Can be taken from the umbilical cord once the baby is born and also the amniotic fluid once the baby is born. Pro Life organizations openly appauld these methods. These two methods is what makes getting them via abortion useless why kill a life when you can have the child and still retrieve these cells.

The thing is not one therapeutic use has been discovered for these, and many of these trial uses for them have resulted in tumors that can later become cancerous.

Adult stem cells: Are retrieved from the bone marrow. They are supposedly not as good as embryonic stem cells. I dont see how this is so because there are dozens of therapeutic therapys as a result of these stem cells that are currently being used in patients.

So overall stem cell research is not bad unless retrieved via abortion.

Hope this info is what you were looking for.
punkatheist November 05, 2009 01:41:42

Answered: Well I'm pro-choice, and....
totally
$AndrewC.luv$ November 05, 2009 00:16:36

Answered: Undecided
idk i havent learned about them but if i knew i would have told u
+1 raves
seathanaich November 04, 2009 23:53:23

Answered: Well I'm pro-choice, and....
Stem cell research. Anyone who's ever needed an organ, and who gets transplant organs rejected, will tell you that this will change their life.

Rather than relying on others, make up your own mind. If a woman is willing to donate eggs that she otherwise would NOT be using to make babies with, and those eggs can save a life . . . do you think that's a good thing, or not?
Butterf... to seathan... November 05, 2009 20:20:37

"Rather than relying on others, make up your own mind"

This is what I am trying to do, but it's awfully confusing. I do not believe I even have all of the information regarding this topic, which is why I am currently researching it.
+1 raves
seathan... to Butterf... November 05, 2009 20:23:31

Awesome. Good for you. My comment was an encouragement to do so, not a criticism that you weren't. Happy Journey!
Butterf... to seathan... November 05, 2009 20:24:43

Well then thank you! :)
EKSimilon November 04, 2009 22:06:10

Answered: Well I'm pro-choice, and....
I think you should have just Googled it.
+1 raves
The~Ult... to EKSimilon November 04, 2009 22:10:05

Ah, the wonders of Google Magic.
Butterf... to The~Ult... November 05, 2009 20:22:13

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+...

Heh heh heh. ;)
+1 raves
The~Ultimate~Happy~Pill November 04, 2009 21:59:18

Answered: Undecided
Basically taking cells from an embryo and using the enzymes in them to cure stuff. Well, that's what my Bio teacher told me.