Thread: Stem Cell research

So, how do you feel about it?

Stem cells are already being used in the medical field with very promising results. For example, in the spine surgery arena, some surgeons are harvesting stem cells from bone marrow aspirate, concentrating them, and re-introducing them to the spine to promote a better fusion rate. It's working pretty well too. I've been told that adipose stem cells may even be better for that purpose.

Additionally, I've heard of some surgeons who believe that they can use a similar procedure to introduce concentrated stem cells into joints effectively allowing patients to put off joint replacement surgery. I'm not sure about this, but it kind of makes sense because there in an intense anti-inflammatory response caused by the concentrated stem cells. Inflammation is what is causing the pain that makes joint replacements necessary; so, it seems plausible. I don't know enough about the research to know if I "buy" it.

Of course these are all from adult stem cells... I'm not familiar with any real applications for embryonic stem cells presently.

I would've voted it a fantastic .... as in a great .... idea if not for the "I want to live forever" behind it. If it can help people with Parkinson's MS and other debilitating diseases I am all for it.

At somepoint I heard about different stem cell uses. Basically the embryonic ones are unspecialized, thus having way more potential and uses.

Stem cells are a touchy subject, but they could have a huge impact on medicine. I dont know where you would draw the line and let someone stop having new organs though.

Jared

Doesn't sit right with me.

I will concede that this probably needs to happen, in the sense that we need to keep along the path we are on until things sort them selves out again.

That is, in the grand scheme of things, it will all balance out.

I dislike the idea that man thinks they know better than nature, we are not meant to live for ever or always be fixed. Sometimes we're just meant to die, and sometimes that is a slow and painful death. This is from someone who has had some one in the family die a slow painful death to a debilitating disease that left his mind intact but his body a mess. A prison in his own body.

Originally Posted by gregs656

Doesn't sit right with me.

I will concede that this probably needs to happen, in the sense that we need to keep along the path we are on until things sort them selves out again.

That is, in the grand scheme of things, it will all balance out.

I dislike the idea that man thinks they know better than nature, we are not meant to live for ever or always be fixed. Sometimes we're just meant to die, and sometimes that is a slow and painful death.

A couple of months ago, my 2 year old son got Scarlet Fever (actually twice within a few weeks)... With this mindset, he'd be dead right now. I'll take advancement rather than the status quo any day

Trouble is, I'm not sure it is advancement.

On that note, I will remove my self from open debate, for the first time on this forum. If any one would like to continue this discussion with me, by all means PM me. It's a discussion I enjoy.

I agree that advancement saved your son. However, stem cells, like immunotherapy are not going to make people live forever. I think private researchers or private funding should be used for virtually all research because our government can't separate useful research from wasteful spending. This would increase efficiency for their use and the speed at which their purposeful use could dome to fruition. There is great potential for the research, but people who make these huge claims of unlimited potential are not well informed.
BTW I believe if a woman want to donate her cord cells after giving birth its her business and I believe a doctor should be able to ask her to donate it.

Originally Posted by gregs656

I dislike the idea that man thinks they know better than nature, we are not meant to live for ever or always be fixed. Sometimes we're just meant to die, and sometimes that is a slow and painful death. This is from someone who has had some one in the family die a slow painful death to a debilitating disease that left his mind intact but his body a mess. A prison in his own body.

I get your point. But we were not meant to have transplants, MRI, computers, the internet, or even just plain old modern medicine.

We were meant to die of msot diseases you can get, including silly things like pneumonia or skin conditions like impetigo. If your lives these days are easier, it is because we made it so.

Dinosaurs lived like nature intended them to live and some species lived 60 000 000 years without notable change, eat and be eaten, until they finally and rightfully were wiped out by an asteroid and gave us the opportunity to do something.

Eternal life comes with its own set of problems and ultimately it would be a bad idea imo. Still, we left 'what nature intended' behind the day weinvented the first tool and tried to make our lives better.

Love the Jonathan Swift reference, was sorely tempted to choose it. But I feel that stem cell research is a fantastic idea.