Comments on: The First 100 Hours: Stem Cell Research http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:04:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Erin http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/comment-page-1/#comment-34175 Erin Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:54:30 +0000 http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/#comment-34175 Alex, Great questions. Here is my response: I suggest that you read my blog post on stem cells. Aborted fetuses CANNOT be used for stem cell research. When a blastocyst (very early stage of fertilization) is implanted in the uterus, cell-signaling occurs and the stem cells will no longer be totipotent (able to produce all cell types). This is a little known fact. Embryonic stem cells come from a dish (culture) or are left over from in vitro fertilization procedures. Hundreds of eggs are fertilized and a very small fraction are implanted for pregnancy. What do clinics often do with these blastocysts one might ask? Well, most are disposed. Why not use them for valuable research? Also, my post points out the differences between adult and embryonic stem cells. In short, adult stem cells are not as potent (cannot produce as many cell types) as embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are also difficult to obtain/ isolate and don't grow well in culture. My post will also inform you on a third, less known source of stem cells called somatic cell nuclear transfer. PS Dave I was kidding just to make that clear. Write all you want about stem cells. I love it! Alex,
Great questions. Here is my response:
I suggest that you read my blog post on stem cells. Aborted fetuses CANNOT be used for stem cell research. When a blastocyst (very early stage of fertilization) is implanted in the uterus, cell-signaling occurs and the stem cells will no longer be totipotent (able to produce all cell types). This is a little known fact. Embryonic stem cells come from a dish (culture) or are left over from in vitro fertilization procedures. Hundreds of eggs are fertilized and a very small fraction are implanted for pregnancy. What do clinics often do with these blastocysts one might ask? Well, most are disposed. Why not use them for valuable research?

Also, my post points out the differences between adult and embryonic stem cells. In short, adult stem cells are not as potent (cannot produce as many cell types) as embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are also difficult to obtain/ isolate and don’t grow well in culture. My post will also inform you on a third, less known source of stem cells called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

PS Dave I was kidding just to make that clear. Write all you want about stem cells. I love it!

]]> By: Chris http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/comment-page-1/#comment-33859 Chris Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:28:06 +0000 http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/#comment-33859 Hey Alex: Here's a deal, give Embryonic Stem cell research the same funding adult stem cell research has received, then the same amount of time, and once we're at a parity point, we'll get back to you on that. Even with the very limited private funding promising treatments have been tested. A treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells improves mobility in rats with spinal cord injuries, providing the first physical evidence that the therapeutic use of these cells can help restore motor skills lost from acute spinal cord tissue damage. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=24159 Hey Alex: Here’s a deal, give Embryonic Stem cell research the same funding adult stem cell research has received, then the same amount of time, and once we’re at a parity point, we’ll get back to you on that.

Even with the very limited private funding promising treatments have been tested.

A treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells improves mobility in rats with spinal cord injuries, providing the first physical evidence that the therapeutic use of these cells can help restore motor skills lost from acute spinal cord tissue damage.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=24159

]]> By: Alex http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/comment-page-1/#comment-29756 Alex Sun, 14 Jan 2007 14:09:39 +0000 http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/#comment-29756 I will investigate this further, however, I would like to know what positive embryonic stem cell research results have occured in history compaired to the positive adult stem cell research results. Also, would the people who are pro-embryonic stem cell research be against a policy that allowed embrionic stem cell research only on non-aborted babies? If not, why? Is it because possibly embryonic stem cell research is being used as a promotion for the "right to choose"? Or is that one would not like to see a perfectly good and usable dead baby gone to waste? I will investigate this further, however, I would like to know what positive embryonic stem cell research results have occured in history compaired to the positive adult stem cell research results.

Also, would the people who are pro-embryonic stem cell research be against a policy that allowed embrionic stem cell research only on non-aborted babies? If not, why? Is it because possibly embryonic stem cell research is being used as a promotion for the “right to choose”? Or is that one would not like to see a perfectly good and usable dead baby gone to waste?

]]> By: dave http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/comment-page-1/#comment-29627 dave Sun, 14 Jan 2007 01:14:09 +0000 http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/#comment-29627 No problem, Erin. :) No problem, Erin. :)

]]> By: Erin http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/comment-page-1/#comment-29626 Erin Sun, 14 Jan 2007 01:09:19 +0000 http://www.unodemocrats.com/blog/2007/01/11/the-first-100-hours-stem-cell-research/#comment-29626 Dave you stay off stem cells. That is my territory. Dave you stay off stem cells. That is my territory.

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