Stem Cell Research?

[Don Benson]

Some of you may know that I work in the area of biomedicine. I also live in New Jersey (no jokes, please) and our governor has recently come out with his support (and funding) to establish an institute for stem cell research.

Now I realize that many of you that subscribe to this forum have very strong religious beliefs and I respect that. I also know that fetal stem cell research is a very hot topic and is being debated from a "moral" perspective every day.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this topic, since the benefits of this new biotechnology are almost endless. We are talking not just about cures for some of the most dreaded diseases and afflictions but also the possibility of eliminating organ donation and the subsequent problems of rejection encoutered from these donations.

[Z06wish]

Although I am anti-Abortion through and through (not to meantion pro-life also), I can accept it as medical research.

BUT

Once it starts to pick up, you know the pro-Abortion people** will take it as saying abortion is okay. If that were to happen I would be against it.

** Denotes negative word for people that feel killing innocent children is okay to protect the dignity of a woman who allowed a human being to be created inside her.


By the way....
Keep it civil! Please.

[JtownZ06]

I don't know much about it, but if the stem cells come from an aborted fetus why shouldn't the stem cells be used to help give life in the form of research? JMO.

[itchynackers]

Seems difficult to stop technology. I can't remember any advanced form of technology that we knew about, and voluntarily said, "ah, lets just not use it".

As for my opinion, I'm all for it. I'm sure (hope) there will be regulations which are ultimately set by the public.

Adam

[z62jag]

This is a very controversial issue (I'm giving to mild understatements).

I would say that I recognize (many of) the benefits of stem cell research.

I am not in favor of intentionally aborting a human life JUST to support this research. However, if a fetus has already been aborted for whatever reason, then why not let some good come from it?

Now, I have also heard that some advocate the growing of fetuses in a lab specifically for the purpose of using their stem cells for research. If this is true then I am conflicted (Analyze-This). That seems (at least in my mind) to be where religion (when does a fetus receive its soul?) and morality appear to clash.

[slvr02]

Originally posted by z62jag
This is a very controversial issue (I'm giving to mild understatements).

I would say that I recognize (many of) the benefits of stem cell research.

I am not in favor of intentionally aborting a human life JUST to support this research. However, if a fetus has already been aborted for whatever reason, then why not let some good come from it?

Now, I have also heard that some advocate the growing of fetuses in a lab specifically for the purpose of using their stem cells for research. If this is true then I am conflicted (Analyze-This). That seems (at least in my mind) to be where religion (when does a fetus receive its soul?) and morality appear to clash.

This is exactly the way I feel, well written.

[JWz06]

I think it comes down to an issue of what are the circumstances as to how the stem cells became available. There are many sources of stem cells that don't come from abortions of unwanted pregnancy and I am ok with that. If you limit taking cells from something that has the potential to be life, but for reasons other than abortion will not, I think there is something noble about using what is usable to benefit all.

As far as funding, whether or not Federal dollars are used or not doesn't really matter. Private Investment will fund this research and probably spend the research dollars more efficiently.

BTW I think more people should also be organ donors. If you're not using it maybe some else can.

JWz06.

[VettTheRipper]

If it were not for controversial research, we probably wouldn't even have electricity. I'm all for it.

[02blkZ06]

You need to add to the Poll: For stem cell research private or government funded.

I am for it with certain perameters. Why waste perfectly good stem cells when they can be used for research?

My father in-law passed away 2 years ago from Luekemia. He had a stem cell transplant but didn't make it.

I know that stem cells have to be the key to regenerating cells and to help so many ill people get better.

I ride in the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Century bicycle ride March 13th in Solvang, California. There are 21 people on my team going and we each raised over $4,000 dollars to go toward research and helping families effected by Leukemia.

Wish me luck!

[joecooool]

Its crap like this that the religous right tries to cram down our throat that makes me sick. If its illegal in the United States, all that means is that our foreign competitors will have an advantage over their US counterpoints.

If the christian coalition nutjobs think they are going to get countries like France or China to bend to their "morals", well, we already know they are nuts anyway.

[Backlash]

Originally posted by VettTheRipper
If it were not for controversial research, we probably wouldn't even have electricity. I'm all for it.

Well said.

As a scientist, who works in biotechnology drugs, the future is in understanding the basics. We have medicines available today that were not even conceivable 20 years ago,

And my daughter has a future today because of it. I now work for the company that made this difference for her and I know what I do does the same for others.

Sort of makes it worth all the long hours....

[Zippy]

I would most likely not be typing this reply if it weren't for a successful bone marrow stem cell transplant. I was diagnosed with CML Leukemia on May 12, 2000. Today I'm cured.

Yes, I'm for it....period.