Comments on: Stem Cell Gold Rush http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/ Science, Environment, and Nature in the SF Bay Area Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:20:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Brent http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-63009 Brent Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:16:46 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-63009 It is amazing of what they can do with embryos. But if we get them from abortions. Then they will pay for it and women will get abortions just for the money. It is amazing of what they can do with embryos. But if we get them from abortions. Then they will pay for it and women will get abortions just for the money.

]]> By: Mark http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-60487 Mark Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:20:15 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-60487 I had heard something about that. That is very good news. I had heard something about that. That is very good news.

]]> By: Barry Starr http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-60481 Barry Starr Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:03 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-60481 I think these issues will probably become moot in the very short term. Scientists have done some amazing work of late in converting both regular cells and adult stem cells into ES-like cells called iPS or induced pluripotent cells (see http://www.thetech.org/genetics/ask.php?id=283 for more details). If this all pans out, there may not be a need to use human embryos. I think these issues will probably become moot in the very short term. Scientists have done some amazing work of late in converting both regular cells and adult stem cells into ES-like cells called iPS or induced pluripotent cells (see http://www.thetech.org/genetics/ask.php?id=283 for more details). If this all pans out, there may not be a need to use human embryos.

]]> By: Mark http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-60434 Mark Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:25:55 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-60434 I am against embryonic stem cell research. The video says that human embryos are "tiny clusters of a few undifferentiated cells smaller than a head of a pin," which is, of course, true, but it is leaving out the most important point -- that there is a difference between a cluster of human cells, and a human being in its earliest stages of development. Not just any cluster of undifferentiated cells has the potential of becoming a human fetus, then baby, adolescent, and adult -- there is a difference between living human cells and a living human organism. The embryo is a living human organism. We need to have respect for that. If we don't, then we are saying that human beings don't have intrinsic value, but instead their value comes from criteria that are imposed externally -- in other words, that it takes more than just being an (innocent) human being to be eligible for the right to not have your life taken away from you. Another thing that the video did not mention is how successful adult-type stem cell research has been already, while embryonic-type has not. It was said in the video that "science is all about ... freedom of investigation." But surely this should not be taken to mean that science is exempt from ethics?? Just because we can do something, scientifically, doesn't necessarily mean that we should. I am against embryonic stem cell research. The video says that human embryos are "tiny clusters of a few undifferentiated cells smaller than a head of a pin," which is, of course, true, but it is leaving out the most important point — that there is a difference between a cluster of human cells, and a human being in its earliest stages of development. Not just any cluster of undifferentiated cells has the potential of becoming a human fetus, then baby, adolescent, and adult — there is a difference between living human cells and a living human organism. The embryo is a living human organism. We need to have respect for that. If we don't, then we are saying that human beings don't have intrinsic value, but instead their value comes from criteria that are imposed externally — in other words, that it takes more than just being an (innocent) human being to be eligible for the right to not have your life taken away from you.

Another thing that the video did not mention is how successful adult-type stem cell research has been already, while embryonic-type has not.

It was said in the video that "science is all about … freedom of investigation." But surely this should not be taken to mean that science is exempt from ethics?? Just because we can do something, scientifically, doesn't necessarily mean that we should.

]]> By: Erica Smith http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-56755 Erica Smith Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:21:05 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-56755 I believe that stem cells are a great idea. When explained it seems common sense to why these cells would act as a cure to so many problems. I have a 5 month old daughter who suffers from optic nerve hypoplasia and we search everyday for anything that may possibly help her. I understand that embryotic stem cells are contiversial but in all reality why is abortion not stoped and why when someone dies is it legal to donate organs? We are throwing away these cells everyday when lives could be saved. In my personal opinion thre day old cells are not human beings yet but a 24 week old fetus that can legally be aborted is! I believe that stem cells are a great idea. When explained it seems common sense to why these cells would act as a cure to so many problems. I have a 5 month old daughter who suffers from optic nerve hypoplasia and we search everyday for anything that may possibly help her. I understand that embryotic stem cells are contiversial but in all reality why is abortion not stoped and why when someone dies is it legal to donate organs? We are throwing away these cells everyday when lives could be saved. In my personal opinion thre day old cells are not human beings yet but a 24 week old fetus that can legally be aborted is!

]]> By: kenny http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/comment-page-1/#comment-56146 kenny Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:37:33 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/05/29/stem-cell-gold-rush/#comment-56146 Are stem cell a good idle for the people, if so how? Are stem cell a good idle for the people, if so how?

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