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Bungleau · 10-01-2010, 08:41 AM

It certainly is a complex issue. And like many of the best issues (so to speak), there's no clear-cut simple right answer. At least, I don't think there is

That doesn't mean there's no right or wrong answer... it means that you can't arrive at the answer quickly, with a snap decision. You do need to sift through everything and weigh the alternatives for yourself.

For me, the issue comes down to a few facts:

Embryonic stem cells can automatically become almost any cell in the body (called pluripotency). Tissue stem cells (adult, placental, etc.) can become any cell in the organ they came from (called multipotency). Recent advances appear to allow you to force tissue stem cells back to pluripotency. This is promising...
When embryonic stem cells are taken from a 5-6 day old embryo (which contains 70-100 cells and is no larger than a grain of sand), the embryo is destroyed. When tissue stem cells are taken, the tissue remains. The key question... is that 5-6 day old 100 cell grain of sand alive? Is it human?
One of the sources of embryos is fertilization clinics. Far more embryos are prepared than are used, and eventually, something has to be done with the unused embryos. They may be kept in storage in perpetuity, but many are eventually destroyed. This, in my mind, presents the key grey (or gray ) area... should they be destroyed outright, or should their embryonic stem cells be harvested to allow research that should ultimately benefit us all?
That does open the door to abuse... the thought of people specifically creating embryos so they can sell their stem cells is repugnant to me. But do you stop the practice, or stop the abuse of the practice?

One article cannot (and should not!) give you all the answers. Likewise, one opinion her cannot and should not tell you what to do. However, examining all viewpoints will allow you to make up your own mind.

And that, to me, is one of the most important things.

*edit* I'm not sure those are all of my important facts... I may be forgetting a couple. But I think those are the key issues

10-01-2010, 08:41 AM	#15
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Re: The Case for Adult Stem Cell Research It certainly is a complex issue. And like many of the best issues (so to speak), there's no clear-cut simple right answer. At least, I don't think there is That doesn't mean there's no right or wrong answer... it means that you can't arrive at the answer quickly, with a snap decision. You do need to sift through everything and weigh the alternatives for yourself. For me, the issue comes down to a few facts: Embryonic stem cells can automatically become almost any cell in the body (called pluripotency). Tissue stem cells (adult, placental, etc.) can become any cell in the organ they came from (called multipotency). Recent advances appear to allow you to force tissue stem cells back to pluripotency. This is promising... When embryonic stem cells are taken from a 5-6 day old embryo (which contains 70-100 cells and is no larger than a grain of sand), the embryo is destroyed. When tissue stem cells are taken, the tissue remains. The key question... is that 5-6 day old 100 cell grain of sand alive? Is it human? One of the sources of embryos is fertilization clinics. Far more embryos are prepared than are used, and eventually, something has to be done with the unused embryos. They may be kept in storage in perpetuity, but many are eventually destroyed. This, in my mind, presents the key grey (or gray ) area... should they be destroyed outright, or should their embryonic stem cells be harvested to allow research that should ultimately benefit us all? That does open the door to abuse... the thought of people specifically creating embryos so they can sell their stem cells is repugnant to me. But do you stop the practice, or stop the abuse of the practice? One article cannot (and should not!) give you all the answers. Likewise, one opinion her cannot and should not tell you what to do. However, examining all viewpoints will allow you to make up your own mind. And that, to me, is one of the most important things. edit I'm not sure those are all of my important facts... I may be forgetting a couple. But I think those are the key issues __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last. Last edited by Bungleau; 10-01-2010 at 08:44 AM.