Stem Cell Research and IVF?

Question

Pertaining to embryonic stem cell research, I was wondering what percent of the embryos are actually created just for the research, and which percentage were 'leftovers' from IVF treatments?

Also, when it comes to ethics, what are your opinions on using frozen embryos that would potentially die anyways for stem cell research?

By frozen embryos, I mean the extra ones from IVF treatments.

Answer 1

In the US atleast, they dont create embryos specifically for stem cells.  Conspiracy theorists would say they do and just dont want to tell us.  Maybe, but I doubt it.  Why would they need to with the huge over abundance of left over IVF embryos?

I do NOT support creating a life for the specific purpose of destroying it.

As far as the IVF left overs....   I would much rather see them get used in research rather than in the trash.  I mean, atleast this way we are making that lil life that no one wanted worth something.

But now we can harvest stem cells without destroying the embryo.  So this doesnt even have to be an issue anymore.  We just need to get the word out and educate people that embryonic stem cell research can happen while keeping the embryo alive and intact.

Answer 2

For human ES cell research, the percentage of embryos created for the work is 0%.

ALL human embryos for use in ES cell research are obtained from "leftover" IVF embryos.

I have no problems with the use of such embryos for research. It is little different from organ donation, IMO.