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PiscesControversial Stem Cell Study Approved
The Food and Drug Administration announced that the first human trials of human embryonic stem-cell research have been approved. The trials, which will use human stem cells, will determine if the cells are safe to use in spinal injury patients.
Dr. Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of the Geron Corporation (the company behind the trials), told CNN that the tests could begin by summer. The patients in the trial are completely paralyzed, suffering from so-called 'complete spinal cord injuries.' "A complete spinal cord injury has no hope of recovery below the injury," Dr. Okarma said.
Patients who participate in the trial will be injected with stem cells and researchers will determine if whether it is safe and effective. Scientists will monitor the patients for a year after the injection to monitor for signs of recovery and function below the injured point.
George Bush had previously authorized federal stem cell research -- but only allowed the use of already-existing cells. Even though scientists determined that fewer than two dozen of those lines were useful for research, anti-abortion activists opposed any legislation that would loosen Bush's restrictions on research. President Barack Obama's administration is expected to make these restrictions less strict, opening up the field of research to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, and diabetes.
How do you feel about stem cell research using human embryos? Tell us in the momlogic Community!
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- 11 Comments
If you had a family member that suffered from a complete spinal cord injury you would endorse stem cell research and testing to find a cure. I welcome any improvement that my brother may receive from live testing of stem cell injections..richard
It’s been well proven that adult stem cells are not effective in adapting to new functions in the body. Using your logic, destroying a frozen embryo is murder, which it is not. Medical technology has been hampered by the Bush Administration for years, but no longer now. Yes, human life is precious, however, should we protect every sperm cell and every female egg as being a potential human being? I wonder if your child contracted MD and a cure existed due to stem cell research, would you deny that to him or her or let them die by inches because of your anti pro choice dogma? I kind of doubt it.
Well this is what Rev. Jesse Jackson stated in 1977:
“…In the abortion debate one of the crucial questions is when does life begin. Anything growing is living. Therefore human life begins when the sperm and egg join..”
That’s what an embryo is, right?
The first wrong is freezing an embryo. It’s like saying, “hmmm, I’m six months pregnant and we arent quite ready for a child. Let’s hold off.” Assuming we have faith in a God, in matters of human life He was and remains our creator. Doesnt HE get to decide in matters of life ultimately? Some areas we need to give up control and trust in Him, His will is for our best ultimately. It’s funny, my 7th grader came home and said her science book states clearly that a life begins at conception, when the egg and sperm connect.
I wont be seen injecting another human into my body, that’d be shameful. First-would you mind injecting somebody’s child into your body, its just similar to abduction. We are just treating our own kind like medical instruments, i know a proper place for those embryos-In your uterus! God is the one who knows whats best, not a scientist. Its better to leave this to God because he is the one who should decide whats best for everyone.
You know if you don’t approve of it then don’t get it done if your ever in the position to need it, otherwise lets others decide for themselves
You people don’t seem to understand. These embryos are sitting in a tank, frozen. They are either going to be used for fertility treatments or destroyed. Why not allow the “owners” of these embryos to help people by donating them to science. An embryo cannot grow into a human being without a “host,” meaning, a human womb in which to grow. Simply existing in a freezing tank does not represent life. When an existing life can be extended, saved or helped (because of injury) by the use of stem cells that already exist, it would be foolish not to use them. Unless all of these “right-to-lifers” want to adopt, become implanted and, carry these embryos to term and raise them as their own children, I say that science has a legitimate interest developing these stem cells for medical cures. It’s true that anyone who has a family member with a catastrophic illness or injury would certainly change their tune if stem cells could help their loved one recover. If you say you wouldn’t, you’re simply not being honest with yourself.
Um, Lee… Frozen embryos come from fertility clinics in which the sperm and eggs are taken from the couple that wishes to have a child, combined in a laboratory setting, and allowed to grow. One or several of them is/are implanted into the mother’s uterus and will hopefully develop into a baby. Frozen embryos are “spares” in case the pregnancy doesn’t take. The couple gets to try again. They don’t keep them in holding tanks for the purpose of choosing when they’re ready to have a baby. If they’re going through fertility treatments, they’re ready. If it’s “wrong” to freeze embryos, you’re denying many infertile couples the chance to have a child. As for what to do with the frozen embryos that are not used or donated to other infertile couples, would you say it’s more respectful to discard them as biomedical waste, or to perhaps use them to try and save other humans’ lives?
I’m for stem cell research.
its a good thing to use ! if it cures and helps people that need to be helped ! then do it.
ZJfSnT comment3 ,
Two wrongs dont make a right. I would NOT use an “embryo” other wise known as a tiny human life, to correct a physical ailment on myself or my child. Who has the stomach for that? PLUS there is promising evidence that stem cells from adults and NON embryos can be just as useful! So why kill an embryo? Its another argument for the pro choicers to try and reduce this small life to something other than what is - HUMAN LIFE.