Stem cell research - for or against?
By vanny
@vandana7 (100664)
India
August 27, 2009 1:39pm CST
I know this is one of the most debated issues. But still, i would like to know ur views. For those of u who dont really know the implications, here are some advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
a. U could afford to remain young forever
b. U could replace all ur organs with newly created organs
c. U could save some of ur stem cells so that future generation - if ever they needed some help of the kind could get an organ made out of them
d. Veterans could get back their limbs
e. Could eliminate problems like alzheimers, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and so many other ailments
Disadvantages:
a. Already bursting population would be difficult to accommodate as people would not die easily
b. There can be complications as well - u could get some alien that will wipe out the entire population
c. Clones can happily walk up to ur banker and empty ur lockers
d. It will create a religious furore - with each religion finding something in books that go against this form of research
e. Many pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies will go bankrupt with each discover - and so will investors in their shares
Well, I may be biased towards advantages. What about u?
5 responses
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
31 Jan 10
My kind of person. 
I am very much for it. There is no point in manufacturing those chemicals and pharmaceuticals creating all that pollution, and side effects. Since this is an old discussion, and hardly anybody comes here, I will dare to say all those anti stem cell research arguments are crap. They dont make any sense at all, especially in light of research on arms, biological warfare, etc. Why is it that only research in medical fields is to be blocked. Why didnt they stop research on nuclear weapons?
I am very much for it. There is no point in manufacturing those chemicals and pharmaceuticals creating all that pollution, and side effects. Since this is an old discussion, and hardly anybody comes here, I will dare to say all those anti stem cell research arguments are crap. They dont make any sense at all, especially in light of research on arms, biological warfare, etc. Why is it that only research in medical fields is to be blocked. Why didnt they stop research on nuclear weapons?
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
30 Aug 09
Yeah. U know I think u r right. Whatever arguments we have for or against it, this research will take over the world. However, I am not sure I agree with u about - it "has been thought out before this world ever existed." :( It is an accidental discovery, and all discoveries are accidents. :-) And we just have no choice even though we want to believe we have some. I am calm. Thanks for the concern. :-)
@huberthuang (26)
• China
28 Aug 09
I am not against it since it could be a great advance for human beings in the history. But the application of stem cell should be very careful in some aspects but not all the aspects, especilly for those who are handicapped. For a blind man, the bright eyes would the most precious gift for them.
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
31 Aug 09
Yes. U rightly said it will be og great advantage to human beings, and I do know of a child who lost his eye to retinoblastoma. So he will definitely stand to gain from this. We can only discuss about being careful with it. In the past, there have been weapons that needed to be handled with care, and so also the nuclear heads. We know that we cannot really afford to be complacent about it. Many years have lapsed since nuclear bomb was first used against human beings. Hopefully, world will show the same restraint when this technology takes over medical world. Thank u for ur response. :-)
@bmoore1109 (14)
• United States
27 Aug 09
In recent years, evidence is piling up to support research with stem cells. Most recently we see applications of stem cells in heart conditions where these cells are injected into a damaged area of the heart (infarct) and the patients after a time experience stronger heart function. Several labs are developing organs grown in the laboratory with a persons cells for transplanting. Some diseases will be amenable to stem cell work particularly if the area of the body is small for the stem cells to concentrate in. There is hope that stem cells in large numbers may aid in developing new muscle or other tissues in degenerative disorders. But these are some years off, much has to learned about making these cells do what we want them to do. But I believe that is coming.
Stem cells can come from adults and not just embryoes which some of the religious community strongly object to. It is a question of how great is the potential of curing disorders with adult stem cells versus embryonic stem cells that is an issue not yet determined. We must in either case, though, be realistic in our expectations of what they can and can't do.
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
31 Aug 09
From what I have read, they are ready to make a full-fledged heart by 2011! That is quite an achievement. And of course, growing other organs will be just a matter of time. It is not as far as u seem to think, is it? :-) But I am glad it is in time for my old age. My expenses will come down drastically. I just have to use the fat in my body in which there would be some stem cells that can be grown into the required organ, and there I am with a brand new heart or a brand new kidney. :-) And it is also not very expensive to grow these organs, provided technology is available. I for one will be very happy to see this technology come into market. :-) Thank you for ur views on this topic. :-)
@MacRunfast (15)
• South Africa
27 Aug 09
I read somewhere that they no longer need to use aborted featus's to conduct stem cell research which I thought was pretty cool Im pretty sure that any discoveries they make from it will be pretty expensive to the population thing isnt really gonna be a problem cause not everyone can afford it. I think with alzheimers and parkinsons really suffer and its not really their fault so its only fair on them I think. Im religious and I dont care :P
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
31 Aug 09
Well u r right about the fact that fetuses are not the only source of stem cells! And this might amuse u - ur fat may hold some of the stem cells that can be used to rejuvenate ur facial skin and bring down age. ha ha. But it is true! Anyways, after an initial bump - when all royalties and such stuff will be involved, and software would need to be developed, the costs will come down drastically. U c - they will be selecting the stem cell/s and leaving it to grow over a frame - obviously organic - of the required shape - be it heart or kidney. And the tissues will be formed in due course - on it - there will be periodic review through required machinery, computer, and human skills of course. Well, this is the funda. I read somewhere they have already developed a prototype of heart - they just couldnt get it to beat at the normal rate - other than that it was pumping! So - it does have interesting potential and will actually bring down medical expenses! Give or take 10 years - Alzhiemers and Parkinsons may become diseases of the past! So glad u like that idea. And so glad u r willing to defy the dictat of religion for this. :-) Thank u for responding. Have a great day. :-)
