What is so wrong with stem cell research that so many people are against it?
|
Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because, with current technology, it's necessary to destroy a human embryo in order to harvest stem cells. In humans, an embryo is the very first stage of life -- from the moment an egg is fertilized until the end of the 8th week. In my view there is nothing wrong with destroying an embryo because it is not yet a human being. An embryo feels no pain and has no consciousness -- it can neither think nor feel. For all practical purposes an embryo is just a clump of dirt out of which life can spring. Opposition to the destruction of embryos stems from the incorrect assumption that an embryo has been infused with a "soul" -- that it has been "touched by God" -- and therefore destroying it is a kind of blasphemy. This line of thought is flawed because there is no reason to believe that God exists. And even if we were to assume that God exists, there's no reason to assume he has a plan for each individual person, let alone each individual embryo. Posted 123 days ago | Tagged As: Nonsense from the Christian Right
"Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because, with current technology, it's necessary to destroy a human embryo in order to harvest stem cells." That is a completely false statement! That is why there are so many people against stem cell research, there are people spreading these rumors such as the above comment, about what us scientists do in the lab! The following link is how a portion of human adipose tissue, aka fat, can be collected from a healthy, alive human donor and stem cells can be harvested from the tissue for various research purposes. There are countless other examples, such as from the umbilical cord, where there is no need to destroy a human embryo first.
Supporting Evidence:
Isolation of Stromal Stem Cells from Human Adipose Tissue
(collaslab.com)
Posted 122 days ago | Tagged As: Uneducated people
I got my info from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Stem_cell_controversy "...with the present state of technology, the creation of a human embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo." Are you sure the stem cells you're referring to are embryonic stem cells? I'm not a biologist, but my understanding is that embryonic stem cells are much more useful for research purposes than other types of stem cells. Posted 122 days ago
what most people do not realise is that stem cell research has been proven to help. embryonic stem cell research on the other hand has not given any results that prove it helps. frankly, some tests show that embryonic stem cells cause pre cancerous side effects. those who are polled are normal people who, like most of us, are uneducated and say what they hear, meaning that most of them don't realize that embryonic stem cell research is a waste of there tax money! i support stem cell research (as the title say is f*ing saves lives) but embryonic has not proven to help. Posted 121 days ago | Tagged As: there is a difference in the research
"embryonic stem cell research on the other hand has not given any results that prove it helps." Wrong. First, embryonic stem cells are the same thing as adult stem cells, only better. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can become any kind of cell. Adult stem cells are less flexible. Second, here are a bunch of stem cell studies that have been highlighted by the NIH. Notice how every single one of them either utilizes embryonic stem cells or is about ways that adult stem cells may be rigged to behave like embryonic stem cells. "frankly, some tests show that embryonic stem cells cause pre cancerous side effects." You sure about this? Cite your source. Posted 121 days ago
I just took a look at some polls and found that actually, most people are in favor of embryonic stem cell research. The only thing holding it back is the fact that Bush is an idiot.
Supporting Evidence:
Public Strongly At Odds With Bush’s Position on Stem Cells
(thinkprogress.org)
Posted 122 days ago | Tagged As: Bush is an idiot
I respect your view point and really appreciate the fact that you acknowledge the difference between different types of stem cell research! I, and other scientists, have been struggling to get this very point across! You have every right to your values and beliefs. Posted 121 days ago
Thank you ! I just think there's a reason that we cant decide the way our children are born and what diseases they may or may not carry, so i don't think scientist should try. And this may sound really messed up, but if your parents didn't have a choice about how you turned out, why should you have the choice about your own kids ? Posted 118 days ago
I don't think that it is ignorance so much as a lack of understanding what it is. "We humans fear that which we cannot comprehend." That quote is so true in so many ways. People aren't ignorant, just uninformed. Because I'm sure that they are educated and know something about what goes on in hospitals, so they aren't so much ignorant, as they are unable to comprehend the true benefit stem cell research provides to humanity. Posted 122 days ago
Nothing really, I mean, some people are against embryonic stem cell research because of their beliefs, and I respect that, but I don't think that they should be dictating the well-being of many in our society just because of the beliefs of a relatively small group of people. I say we have a nationwide vote on it :P. Posted 119 days ago | Tagged As: Uneducated people
|
