07-27-2003, 10:18 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Archangel of Change
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Embryonic Stem Cell Technology
Fertility clinics tend to fertilize like 20 eggs when going for 1 to implant in a womb. They usually keep the other 19 frozen incase a women wants a child but doesn't have a man to get the sperm from and she doesn't care if the child isn't born from her egg. The other 19 are rarely ever used. They then end up just being destroyed.
In these cases, is it okay to use those embryos (if that is what it is called at this point) to treat someone's failing heart or something like that? I personally think that if they were going to be destroyed anyways that it is better to use them to help someone. I ask your opinions because a few months ago, they found out there are something like 400 000 frozen embryos (or whatever its called at that stage) in the United States, by far the most in any country. They are all from fertility clinics and the majority of them were going to be destroyed because it is expensive to keep them frozen. |
07-29-2003, 12:35 PM | #3 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: In an office with no windows
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Most people do not understand what a stem cell is and how the technology differs from cloning. It is much easier for people to advocate banning all such technologies out of fear of one extreme case (cloning) then to actually spend some time to really examine the issues.
Most scientists advocate stem cell research. If we do not trust their opinions, why do we give them billions of dollars every year to try and research cures and treatments for a multitude of diseases. What is the makeup of those that oppose stem cell research? |
07-29-2003, 06:11 PM | #6 (permalink) |
Fucking Hostile
Location: Springford, ON, Canada
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I am all for it if it helps improve the quality of life for other, but the owners (or parents depending on how you see it) should be consulted and agree to it.
__________________
Get off your fuckin cross. We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr. |
07-29-2003, 08:29 PM | #7 (permalink) | |
Crazy
Location: Clemson
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Quote:
when you look at the benefits of what you can do with these stem cells, its hard to think of a reason why not to use them. it could lead to a time where we would need no organ donors, or we could cure cancer and numerous other diseases. the possibilities are endless. |
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07-29-2003, 09:59 PM | #8 (permalink) |
Archangel of Change
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I never thought about the donating egg and sperm to grow stem cells whenever you need them. That is an interesting idea. Not all stem cells are embryonic, but the best quality ones are. There are some stem cells they can get from umbilical cords, foreskins (removed from babies), and baby teeth. The quality of those is lower though.
Stem cells really are amazing. They grew a rat lung independant of a body with stem cells. There ends the organ shortage. On a strange note, they also grew a rat penis with stem cells. I don't know the reasoning behind that, maybe that it is a more complex organ or something. |
Tags |
cell, embryonic, stem, technology |
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