Stem Cell Research New Twist?

I'm not actually opposed to stem cell research, but this seems to be a very valuable and promising contrast to actually using fetal materials. I really respect the scientific community for finding an alternate option to the one that was so opposed. I hope it works out for the best, because this research could really help the world.

I am not much aware of the stem cell research, But I will share my understanding. When my son was born 4 years back, I read somewhere in a news magazine about stem cell being preserved and it can be used to cure many disease in future if the child is prone to disease or so . I tried to inquire about the preservation price what they said is quite expensive and it is not in the reach of common man. This is what I know about it. And as you were saying some religious controversy I am not much aware of it. Honestly I don't know much about the procedure too. I think I have known some new thing from your post and the responses posted. Thank you Calpro

Afarrell1, Yeah, I've heard about stuff like this. And not just umbilical cord blood, but adult stem cells in general. Religious people are against embryonic stem cell usage, which are the stem cells from embryos of humans, saying that we're killing people. But adult stem cells are stem cells that come from adult cells, cells from people who have already developed into living, breathing people. The taking of these cells wouldn't affect the human at all, and it would be able to benefit them. The only problem is that these cells can't do as much as embryonic stem cells. But there is a lot of research going on in this field, and the use of adult stem cells would be able to benefit our society so much. And you do raise a good point. The application of "cord blood donation" into our society would promote the right to life. I think religious people would have no problems with this. I guess we'll just have to see. Could you give me the link to this article? Annie

I'm surprised fewer people know that there are two alternatives to embryonic stem cell research that have the same potential and far less controversial. One of them is the harvesting of stem cells in the umbilical cord which you mentioned, and the other is adult stem cell research which uses stem cells that are still present in fully grown adults that can be removed with no harm to the adult. Adult stem cells have already been used successfully in countless therapies, something embryonic stem cells have not been able to do. The reason embryonic stem cell research is controversial is because when the stem cells are harvested the embryo is destroyed. Those of us who believe that life begins at conception find this very unsettling. Adult stem cell research is less controversial, has come farther than embryonic stem cell research in half the time, and has already been successfully used to treat patients. I think the choice is clear.