Stem Cell Research: Pros and Cons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ethical implications and scientific potential of stem cell research, particularly focusing on embryonic versus adult stem cells. Participants explore moral, cultural, and religious perspectives, as well as the practical applications and consequences of such research.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express support for embryonic stem cell research, arguing that embryos used are often discarded and that the research has significant potential benefits.
  • Others oppose embryonic stem cell research on moral grounds, asserting that it involves the killing of a human entity, regardless of its developmental stage.
  • A few participants highlight the distinction between embryonic and adult stem cells, questioning the usability and development of adult stem cell isolation techniques.
  • Concerns are raised about the ethical implications of using embryos that are not specifically created for research but are instead surplus from fertility treatments.
  • Some participants suggest that the discussion should also encompass broader ethical considerations, including the potential for saving lives through medical advancements.
  • There are references to recent news about stem cell transplants, which some participants believe could influence the perception of stem cell research.
  • Disagreements arise regarding the characterization of embryos, with some viewing them as mere clusters of cells while others emphasize their potential for life.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the ethical implications of embryonic stem cell research and the definitions of life and personhood. The discussion remains unresolved, reflecting a range of moral and scientific perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge the complexity of the topic, noting that the discussion is influenced by personal beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and the evolving nature of scientific understanding regarding stem cells.

What do you think about stem cell research

  • I am in favor

    Votes: 26 89.7%

  • I am not

    Votes: 3 10.3%
  • Total voters
    29
Mk
Messages
2,040
Reaction score
4
What do you think?

[edit:are you in favor of embryonic cell research or not?]
 
Last edited:
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About what
 
I just gave a presentation on this three days ago!

I say good!
 
wtf i JUST posted it how did you vote!

YOu voted BEFORE ME too!
 
nope, can't kil a human in hope that something else will get better.
 
Cosmo, could you explain that better ?
 
Cosmo16 said:
nope, can't kil a human in hope that something else will get better.

Generally, the embryo's used were going to go to waste anyway(I think), so it's that or nothing. Plus, all federally funded embryonic stem cell research uses stemm cells from stem cell lines with the original group of embryonic stem cells from pre 2001. Bassically, before 2001, if a lab took some stem cells from an embryo, they could divide the stem cells as they pleased, and now the funded research strictly uses these replicated cells, therefore not "killing" any more embryos.

Second of all, an embryo is just a ball of cells, no brain, no heart, no organs whatsoever!


Third, what about Adult Stem Cells?
 
Stem cell research can do so much, we need it. It's not killing a person. Do you have any idea how many fertilized embryos are destroyed by fertility clinics if the "owners" decide they no longer need them?
 
There are already multiple threads in biology on this topic.
 
  • #10
You should be more specific with your question: I suspect you are asking only whether or not we support the use of embryonic stem cells in research.
 
  • #11
I don't have a question, I was just intending this thread to be a discussion on morals, cultures, relation to religion, what PF users think, etc.

I realize that I left it so open ended that readers were confused where to go with it.

Most of you seem to think that an embryo at the stage that its stem cells are to be taken out, is not alive yet therefore you are not killing it. Correct?

What about adult stem cells? How usable are these? How quickly are systems to isolate them developing? I read a few months ago some researchers developed a blood filtering system.
 
  • #12
Mk said:
I don't have a question, I was just intending this thread to be a discussion on morals, cultures, relation to religion, what PF users think, etc.

I meant the question for the poll. The answers will likely change depending on whether you are asking about embyronic stem cell research or non-embryonic stem cell research, the latter of which I cannot imagine any reason for a person to be against. Then again, for that reason, I also think it is clear that you are asking about embryonic stem-cell research. I'm just trying to make sure.
 
  • #13
moose said:
I just gave a presentation on this three days ago!
What was in your presentation?
 
  • #14
I think we should definitely go through with stem cell research.
 
  • #15
In today's news and relevant to this thread:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20051021/D8DCNN9G0.html
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Federal regulators on Thursday approved what would be the first transplant of fetal stem cells into human brains, a procedure that if successful could open the door to treating a host of neural disorders.
The transplant recipients will be children who suffer from a rare, fatal genetic disorder.
The Food and Drug Administration said that doctors at Stanford University Medical Center can begin the testing on six children afflicted with Batten disease, a degenerative malady that renders its young victims blind, speechless and paralyzed before it kills them.
An internal Stanford review board must still approve the test, a process that could take weeks.

The stem cells to be transplanted in the brain aren't human embryonic stem cells, which are derived from days-old embryos. Instead, the cells are immature neural cells that are destined to turn into the mature cells that makeup a fully formed brain.
 
  • #16
As long as the extraction isn't killing or has a chance of harming the embryo, I'm okay with it. Killing a baby to save an old man is wrong, plain and simple.
 
  • #17
This, coming from a guy who lives in McDonalds.
 
  • #18
Heh, funny thing, I don't even like McDonalds.
 
  • #19
Entropy said:
As long as the extraction isn't killing or has a chance of harming the embryo, I'm okay with it. Killing a baby to save an old man is wrong, plain and simple.
And what if the embryo will be dying anyway? I don't think embryonic stem cell research includes the development of embryos specifically for research purposes. They just use ones that will be "thrown out" or what ever they do with them if they aren't utilized in some fashion. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
  • #20
TheStatutoryApe said:
And what if the embryo will be dying anyway? I don't think embryonic stem cell research includes the development of embryos specifically for research purposes. They just use ones that will be "thrown out" or what ever they do with them if they aren't utilized in some fashion. Correct me if I'm wrong.
You're correct. Even when embryos are the source of the cells, they are ones discarded anyway. Though, I suppose all those extras generated by the fertility clinics can just continue to be stored frozen for all eternity...or at least until someone forgets to pay the electric bill. :rolleyes:
 
  • #21
But you are still killing it to save an old man. Right Right??
 
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  • #22
Mk said:
But you are still killing it to save an old man.
Killing what? A ball of cells? And who says it will go to save an old man? Did you read the article I linked to earlier? That's going to save young children.
 
  • #23
I like young children.
 
  • #24
Killing what? A ball of cells? And who says it will go to save an old man? Did you read the article I linked to earlier? That's going to save young children.

A grown human is a ball of cells too, you know.
 
  • #25
Moonbear said:
In today's news and relevant to this thread:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20051021/D8DCNN9G0.html
To me it sounds a lot like organ doning, what happened back when that was getting started? Its like cutting out one of somebody's kidneys and transplanting it into someone that has a broken kidney!
 
  • #26
Entropy said:
A grown human is a ball of cells too, you know.

With that logic, so are ants.
 
  • #27
And lions!
 
  • #28
eh, i wrote a paper about this last year, in our bio class.
 
  • #29
Mk said:
And lions!
And bears! Oh MY!
 

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