Do you believe in stem cell research?

Question

Why and why not?

What are some of the benefits of it?

What are some of the problems that you THINK can arise from stem cell research?

I know this is controversial, which I why I asked. I want to know your views on this subject.

Why are why not do you believe in this type of research?

Answer 1

I believe in it because it exists.  I believe it's important because I think all basic biomedical research is important.  You can't predict the benefits of basic research, but they come along anyway.  One of my professors was just trying to study how a hormone he discovered worked, for 30 years.  After 25 years, he got a Nobel prize.  After 30 years, there was an anti-cancer drug based on his work.  Now there are many anti-cancer drugs based on his and similar work.

The only potential problem is the ethical one posed by those who oppose abortion - cells often come from aborted human fetuses.  My view is that these are fetuses who were already aborted and going to die anyway - they were not harvested for stem cells.  So, to me, it's like organ donation except that the fetus isn't able to give informed consent before its death.

Answer 2

STEM CELL RESEARCH

It should be federally funded. The potential for usage is 9 of 10 cases.

Transplants: Never worry about rejection. AIDS: Replace white blood cells to prevent disease. Cancer: Allow stem cells to grow into a specialized cell that kills mutated cells.

Possibly cloning as an organ farm.

The good by far out-weighs the bad.

Answer 3

There are different types of stem cell research, some less controversial than others.  The most controversial is fetal stem cell research, where the cells came from an aborted fetus.  Anything involving abortion will obviously arouse emotions.  While I am against abortion, I think that if life can be saved, it is worth pursuing.  After all, the babies aren't being aborted in order for research to take place, the abortions are happening, and this research is a possibility because of it.  My understanding, though, is that this research has not been as promising as sometimes advertised in the media.

But there are also adult stem cells that we are all carrying.  The liver has many.  If these cells can be used successfully to help regenerate organs, treat cancer, etc., I believe that medical science (which I sometimes work with) has a duty to pursue it.  Some still oppose this research, though, since it cold be considered a precursor to cloning.

In general, I think few problems can arise from stem cell research.  It may use resources ($$) which could be applied to other research projects.  That's a subjective answer, which would depend on what other research projects may show more promise.  Unfortunately a lot of decisions in this area seem to be made using emotion rather than scientific value.