ClumsyMonkey.net

I'm just curious but, what is it exactly? I remember that some people were getting mad about it.

There are these things called "stem cells" that are cells that haven't specialized yet - that is to say, the cell hasn't decided if it's going to be an eye cell, or a liver cell, or a skin cell, or what. That means that none of its genes have been "turned off" yet. (For example, a liver cell would turn off the genes that would make your eyes blue - keep in mind that every one of your cells contains the info for your ENTIRE body).

These cells can be useful because they can be adapted to replace needed body pieces.

It's controversial because the best source for stem cells is, naturally, fetuses.

More specifically, the microscopic ball of cells called a blastula that eventually TURNS into a fetus.

Someone correct me if any of this is wrong

http://www4.nas.edu/onpi/webextra.nsf/4 ... enDocument
heres a good site
with incredibly long link
the site goes thru everything

the only people that fuss are religious groups who want you to die and people who dont understand it and just hear the word fetus.

Well that isnt true at all. People have thier own opinions outside of religions.
And there are alot of pro-life groups that are lobbing this whole thing.

i heard though that now they are able to get essentially the same information and data from baby teeth.

No, most of the opponents of this sort of research don't like the idea of "shopping for babies". You know, where you look through a catelog and pick out your future baby's eye color, adult height, sexual orientation, race, and intelligence. This is where this sort of thing is heading.

Yeah, those crazy sons of bitches.

see, ^ that's why I don't really agree with it either. Basically, one thing will lead to another, and we'll end up wanting basically a 'master race' and it will get out of control.

sounds like Gattaca

Ok, let's play the "compassion" angle for a little bit.

Hypothetically, let's go ahead with the stem cell research. We learn a lot about stem cells, so eventually a person can go to their doctor and say, "I'd like a male with sandy blond hair, light blue eyes (color samples provided), increased mathematical ability, and a gymnast's build."

This, of course, sounds bad.

But do you know what else you could say?

"I would like a child without the family's hereditary heart defect, reduced chances of Alzheimers, and no diabetes."

So. There's that.

heres a list of potential diseases that can use stem cells research for potential cures (theoretically speaking)

Cardiovascular disease
Autoimmune disease
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Cancer
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Burns (severe)
Spinal-cord injuries
Birth defects

http://www4.nas.edu/onpi/webextra.nsf/4 ... enDocument

Narbus wrote:Ok, let's play the "compassion" angle for a little bit.

Hypothetically, let's go ahead with the stem cell research. We learn a lot about stem cells, so eventually a person can go to their doctor and say, "I'd like a male with sandy blond hair, light blue eyes (color samples provided), increased mathematical ability, and a gymnast's build."

This, of course, sounds bad.

But do you know what else you could say?

"I would like a child without the family's hereditary heart defect, reduced chances of Alzheimers, and no diabetes."

So. There's that.

See, this is why I'm on the fence. I just found it offensive that someone would say the only people against this are Bible thumpers. There are other reasons too. So, yes, it is nice to prevent diseases before they start... but the question is... should we?

There is also the chance that labs will be able to create individual organs from the stem cells eliminating the need for organ/blood donars. They can grow their own!

See, this is why I'm on the fence. I just found it offensive that someone would say the only people against this are Bible thumpers. There are other reasons too. So, yes, it is nice to prevent diseases before they start... but the question is... should we?

Sure. why not?

ya it's tough to say what is right and what isn't. Personally, I'm all for the growing of organs for implant purposes. I think that where I try and draw the line is when people start talking about designing children. This should not be allowed when it comes to aestetics, unless it was something extremely harmful.

But those of us who enjoy being devil's advocats could say that "being ugly" can be psychologically harmful and therefore parents should be able to make their child look a certain way so he is socially acceptable. It's hard to draw the line...

I hate to be the monster here, but what about the situation with our out-of-control population?