Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Who is for and against it?

[Flagg]

I'm for it.

Obviously there are many issues with this subject so I am curious as to who is for and against it.

[Blackster1975]

if it could help cure disease and ilness then i'm for it

[xlxBigSexyxlx]

for it

[Tesla]

It's completely unnecessary now since stem cells can be made by other means.

[GGallin]

for it

Awsome tits big sexy

[IronReload04]

1 million % for it.

[IronReload04]

i do believe that the zygote is only a couple days old by the way. someone corrrect me if im wrong

[Flagg]

It's completely unnecessary now since stem cells can be made by other means.

Tesla, the thing with Adult Stem cells is that they are not easily cultivated, and they can only be induced to become a variety of different cells, where as embryonic stem cells can be cultured AND practically induced to become any other cell.

[lex57]

why cant they use stem cells found in umbilical cord blood rather then embryonic stem cells. i thought this was the way they were going now.....

[IronReload04]

why cant they use stem cells found in umbilical cord blood rather then embryonic stem cells. i thought this was the way they were going now.....

those cells are to mature I believe. IF my understanding is correct, the cells they need come about a couple days after the sperm fertilizes the egg.

[IronReload04]

for the record guys, if you are going to support stem cell research, you MUST support cloning as well. because stem cells, need to be your own cells with your DNA in them.

[lex57]

those cells are to mature I believe. IF my understanding is correct, the cells they need come about a couple days after the sperm fertilizes the egg.

i am not so sure about that here is one part of an article i was reading:



Hopes for treating disease with stem cells from umbilical cord blood has received a major boost, following the discovery of primitive cells with clinical potential matching that of the far more controversial embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The latter are originally derived from human fetuses, which are then destroyed, and have become a major ethical issue, especially in the US.

Furthermore, the same team is applying new microgravity technology - originally developed by NASA for the International Space Station - to make large enough quantities of the stem cells to repair tissue damage in patients.

The newly discovered human cells, named “cord-blood-derived embryonic-like stem cells” or CBEs, are not quite as primitive as embryonic stem cells, which can give rise to any tissue type of the body. But they appear to be much more versatile than “adult stem cells” such as those found in bone marrow which repair damaged tissue during life.

“We have found a unique group of cells that bring together the essential qualities of both types of stem cells for the first time,” says Colin McGuckin of Kingston University in Surrey, UK, who co-led the team with colleague Nico Forraz.

In laboratory experiments, the team successfully coaxed CBEs into becoming liver cells. They also showed that the cells have most of the surface “markers” considered as identifiers of embryonic stem cells and form “embryoid bodies” – characteristic clumps of cells formed by ESCs.

[SnaX]

It's completely unnecessary now since stem cells can be made by other means.

Totally true! Stem cells can be obtained from cords,etc from the birth of a child!

[wilson9d]

i dont care

[BWhitaker]

for the record guys, if you are going to support stem cell research, you MUST support cloning as well. because stem cells, need to be your own cells with your DNA in them.

Not necessarily -- it depends on the logic used in one's support of stem cells. Why I do see that you are saying that the same logic applies to both, I do not see that as the case. That is, if you are saying that this would apply to human cloning, etc.

Additionally, I am not in the know of the science, so I am unsure if the process that takes place with stem cells is the same as cloning, but lets say it is...

[Amorphic]

10000% behind it

[Flagg]

Not necessarily -- it depends on the logic used in one's support of stem cells. Why I do see that you are saying that the same logic applies to both, I do not see that as the case. That is, if you are saying that this would apply to human cloning, etc.

Additionally, I am not in the know of the science, so I am unsure if the process that takes place with stem cells is the same as cloning, but lets say it is...

With stem cells, you can grow them to become a nervous system or even an entire organ. How cloning would work, is by taking a Adult Stem Cell and a Embryonic Stem Cell, then removing the nucleus from both and placing the adult stem cell nuclei into the embryonic cell. Then this cell could grow into an exact copy of the person the adult stem cell came from. A clone. People say it's immoral, but I can see something like this abused in the future, gentically engineered soldiers for one.

[thegodfather]

It's completely unnecessary now since stem cells can be made by other means.

Even it wasn't I would still support it 100%...For scientific purposes, and just to snub my nose at the religious WHACKOS who are against it.

[BWhitaker]

With stem cells, you can grow them to become a nervous system or even an entire organ. How cloning would work, is by taking a Adult Stem Cell and a Embryonic Stem Cell, then removing the nucleus from both and placing the adult stem cell nuclei into the embryonic cell. Then this cell could grow into an exact copy of the person the adult stem cell came from. A clone. People say it's immoral, but I can see something like this abused in the future, gentically engineered soldiers for one.

Thanks for the info.

So back to what I was responding to -- how does one conclude that if you are for stem cell research, you must be an advocate of cloning? Additionally, just because one is an advocate of some types of cloning does not logically translate to advocating for all types and forms

[Flagg]

I'm glad to see there is more postive people for stem cell research than negative. Again, religion and politics getting in the way of a good thing.

This is an easier way of looking at things. People like Bush need to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS9oV...eature=related

[Doc.Sust]

for it

[FallenWyvern]

I can't understand why someone would be against helping stroke victims or paraplegics.

[number twelve]

for it. what are the negative connotations? why wouldnt someone support this? just cause the zygote is technically another life? understandable i guess...pretty touchy situation a lot has to do with religion and what not i think.

[number twelve]

[QUOTE=BWhitaker[/QUOTE]

btw bro saw your avy, i met that guy at the arnold classical last year, he autographed that poster for me got it up in my room...thought that would be cool to share lol

[BgMc31]

100% for it! Plus aren't the embryos used for stem cells gonna be destroyed anyway? Better get some use out of them right?

[Kärnfysikern]

Im all for it. For that matter Im all for cloning aswell its not like nature hasnt beaten us to it with identical twins etc. I dont se any practical use for making clones though unless you can make them braindead and harvest organs ,but growing organs alone would probably be more feasible.

Shit, when I think about it there are few technologies Im opposed to if any. I cant wait for the day we have total controll of our own genes, when we have brain implants that can create interfaces with computers, when we can augment memory and intelligence artificially, when we can extend our life span radically etc. The human body sux and its about time we start making it better.

[IronReload04]

Not necessarily -- it depends on the logic used in one's support of stem cells. Why I do see that you are saying that the same logic applies to both, I do not see that as the case. That is, if you are saying that this would apply to human cloning, etc.

Additionally, I am not in the know of the science, so I am unsure if the process that takes place with stem cells is the same as cloning, but lets say it is...

from anything I have ever learned in bios class. What they would do is this. take a zygote, right after fertilization. remove the DNA, and insert yours. This is cloning, and this, according to my text, would be neccessary to for your body to take up these cells.

[IronReload04]

Guys, I am 99 percent sure, that when they make embryonic stem cells, they use cells that are 2-3 days after fertilization. can someone confirm that?

[MuscleScience]

Tesla, the thing with Adult Stem cells is that they are not easily cultivated, and they can only be induced to become a variety of different cells, where as embryonic stem cells can be cultured AND practically induced to become any other cell.

Holy Shat, I am kinda shocked someone knows this, someone has to be a hardcore physiology dork like me to know something like that.


Props to you Flagg for being informed.

[MuscleScience]

Embryonic Stem Cells

These stem cells are considered Pluripotent (totipotent) which means they can change in to or be induced into becoming any cell type in the body.

Adult Stem Cells

These stem cells are present in tissues of the adult, these stem cells are considered Multipotent which means they have the ability to change into a limited number of cells. The more specialized a tissue is such as neural tissue the less ability a adult stem cell has to change or restore that tissue. Adult stem cells are sequestered into distinct area's within tissues, for example Hepatic stem cells (liver) are found in the Canals of Hering.

To simplify what this means, Adult Stem Cells are specific to the parent tissue from which they arise. In the example of the liver adult stem cells that reside in the liver will only differentiate into liver cell types. They may be induced to form other types of cells in other tissue types but the ability of these cells to became a specialized cell is not likely. An example is if you take a liver stem cell and place it in the pancreas it will display charactoristics of the pancreas cells. Will it turn into an beta cell and produce insulin the same way a normal beta cell would. The answer seems to be no.

Other examples of adult stems cells include: Satelite cells of the muscles, Hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow.

One other aspect of stems cells is their ability to self regenerate. When an Adult stem cell divides it does so differently than normal cells do. What that means is normal cells when they divide give you two completely new cells of the same exact type, this is called symmetric replication. When an adult stem cell divides it gives one new stem cell that differentiates into a new cell type while the original stem cell remains a stem cell, so you get a one for one cell count. This is called Asymmetric replication.

[DSM4Life]

for it

[soulstealer]

For it I want them to grow my replacement parts in the future

[DSM4Life]

For it I want them to grow my replacement parts in the future

just make sure you trim the jungle under his arms

[F4iGuy]

For it. I'm amazed at some of the videos I've seen on youtube. There's a vid about a type of worm they call 'immortal' because it can be cut apart over and over and continue to regrow into another complete worm. Crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edh9d0Ut7RU

[Overhaulz]

I just woke up, but I remember reading an article a while ago related to this. There is another source for the stem cells, and that being the "extra" parts from a transexual after their operation. They could actually pull cells from the testicles, for instance, of a man that has a sex change.

[Flagg]

Something interesting you guys might like to know, but I read somewhere that stem cells have the potential to replace steroids by using muscle stem cells to augment muscle tissue.

The thing with cloning is that the scientific community (supposedly) has no specific interest in it. I'm all for growing organs and nerve systems, but what would really be the purpose of growing a fully grown clone? Clones are not without side-effects, as people that may have followed the story of Dolly the Sheep may know that she died at a relatively young age due to hip problems and premature ageing. Some animals that are clones have been known to have birth defects or experience high rate of miscariage.

[Flagg]

Holy Shat, I am kinda shocked someone knows this, someone has to be a hardcore physiology dork like me to know something like that.


Props to you Flagg for being informed.

Thanks MuscleScience. The reason ive been pretty clued up on this is I just finished a 10 week module at college on Bio Technology, which has covered DNA, RNA, Transcription, Meiosis, etc...as well as Stem Cells. I'm going on to University this year to study Environmental Science, but I tell ya, if id done this module first instead of last, id have been sorely tempted to pursue something like this as i've found it a really interesting subject. Are you training to be a Genetisist by any chance?

[kfrost06]

if it could help cure disease and ilness then i'm for it

so would performing test on prisoners and the disabled like the Nazis did, that doesn't make it right. Well heck lets also use the poor and unemployed, why not?

[Flagg]

Guys, I am 99 percent sure, that when they make embryonic stem cells, they use cells that are 2-3 days after fertilization. can someone confirm that?

Yeah, I think the window is about 7 days from when the Zygote turns into a Blastocyte. The next stage from a blastocyte is an embryo, at that stage the cells in the blastocyte start to differentiate, that is they begin to start becoming different cells that an organism needs to grow organs.
Once a stem cell line is established from the Blastocyte, they can be "put on ice" for decades.
See, this is where I find it hard to understand the uproar in the scientific community, that a blastocyte, which is a ball of about 100 cells, with no organs, it's not even an organism at this stage, is considered human with a soul. The fact that this has been banned for so long while abortion is legal, boggles the mind. It's a shame really, cause America have really missed the boat on this thanks to Bush and it's looking likely that the technology WILL get the go ahead in the UK.

[Flagg]

so would performing test on prisoners and the disabled like the Nazis did, that doesn't make it right. Well heck lets also use the poor and unemployed, why not?

Illogical. I don't agree with animal testing but right now it seems like a necessary evil. Stem Cell research could replace that in the future. A cure for Hypothermia was discovered from Nazi scientists submerging jews in tanks of freezing cold water in a bid to gauge how long German pilots could survive in the the sea. Yes it's was wrong, but because of their techniques, hypothermia is treatable today.