stem cell research

[Gothic_J]

are you for it or against it? why or why not?

[trunks2k]

for it. I don't see any reason to be against it. There is a lot of promise behind stem cell research, and the medical advances that can come from it are enormous. Aren't most of the embryos used in the research from unused embryos from artificaial insemination?

[Veovis]

I say go for it. Stem cell research has the potential to save lives by growing replacement organs for patients who are terminally ill. There is really no basis to oppose it except on a religious one. I mean, if it requires sacrificing a zygote, well they don't have consciousness yet anyway.

[Gothic_J]

Im for it. in general, more knowledge = good, in my philisophy.

interestingly enough, the christians I talked to said they were against it, even it could grant them 20% bonuses to intelligence.

[ooh_child]

This topic is rife with rhetoric-I doubt you will find anyone with an opinion that won't be imbued with some kind of bigoted opinion, either way.

I can only offer my skewed opinion in favor of any research to staved off the suffering of people, (who have catastophic diseases), that this research could eliminate.

My brother was suffering from partial paralysis as far back as 1976. Medical opinion then was that he had Multiple Scelrosis, but they had no way to say for sure at the time. Painful tests ruled anything else out. That was all they could do then.

Years of agonizing symptoms, then remission, and back again, lead him to a full-care nursing facility at the age of 49. His dignity lost, independence ceded to others, and ability to reason sinking to depression, he became someone I no longer recognized.

Stem-cell research was in its infancy then. Interferon was all the rage, but his other medical problems ruled him out as a candidate for trial studies. All we as a family could do is watch him as he wasted away.

He died in January 2000. He held on to see the new millenium, and then let go. He didn't know any of his family, could not remember the last conversation he had, and had no way to enjoy anything that he used to be able to do.

Stem-cell research would not have been able to help him, I know this. But, with aggressive backing, it might be able to help those folks in the same situation now. IMO, it's a shameful crime that religious politicking has stalled this promising avenue for healing.

As far as clinical studies go, I don't know any of the family members of these organisms which might develope into people. I can't related to any feelings they might have regarding abortion. I did know my my very loving and beloved brother, Robert. I wish I could still see him, talk to him.

I support anyone, who has a loved one in the same situation, who desparately wants any kind of therapy to cure that person. Research is key to eliminating this kind of suffering.

MHB