|
|
Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Jul 28, 2004 14:49:39 GMT -8
Stem-cell research...what do you think?
|
|
Angel
Junior Member
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6
Posts: 50
|
Post by Angel on Jul 28, 2004 15:45:49 GMT -8
Stem-cell research is already a hot issue. And from everything I've read, even the medical profession isn't 100% sure of the truth. I'm no expert, but here is what I've learned:
Supporters of stem-cell research are becoming more vocal, and with great reason. Scientists can take stem-cells and use them to create just about any organ in the body (think: cloning). One of the biggest challenges for the medical community these days is finding a cure for diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Multiple Sclerosis (to name a few "brain stem"-type diseases). A lot of research is/has been done on using stem-cells to "cure" these and other diseases and also use them to "grow new spinal cord cells", thus finding a cure for people with spinal cord injuries.
The reason why there is a lot being said is because there are a lot of big-shots who are out there lobbying their politicians to approve funding to do more stem-cell research. Big shots like Ron Reagan who lost his father to Alzheimers, and Christopher Reeves who is a quadrapelegic since his horse accident, and Michael J Fox who has Parkinsons -- just to name a FEW.
I think the reason behind the debate is that stem-cells can be taken from two sources:
1) adult stem cells, and/or
2) embryonic stem cells
From what I've read, the medical community is back-and-forth on the issue of whether adult stem cells will work just as well as embryonic stem cells. Most scientists feel that embryonic stem-cells will work better for their research because they are "purer". I don't understand all of the technical stuff behind it, but here is the REAL issue:
The only source for embryonic stem cells is from the placenta of a newborn or from tissue of an aborted fetus. Therefore, pro-life supporters are against stem-cell research and argue that this research is providing the American public (ie. women) with a valid reason to have abortions. (There is also that whole additional debate on the ethics of cloning!)
As a person who has Multiple Sclerosis, I am hoping that SOMEONE who can study the issue and present it in a non-political and non-medical format will help clear up all of the murky details surrounding the issue.
I pay taxes and I am against abortion; but there are times when I feel like saying that if my tax dollars are going to be used to pay for a woman to have an abortion (which we all pay for), I'd rather see some good come of it (like a cure for some of these diseases)...
|
|
Curt
Full Member
Posts: 136
|
Post by Curt on Dec 8, 2004 14:00:44 GMT -8
|
|
