Nbc Article: Court Rules Controversial Stem Cell Research Is Legal

[Maximilianus]

Here's the article

[url="http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/24/13458821-court-rules-controversial-stem-cell-research-is-legal#comments"]http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/24/13458821-court-rules-controversial-stem-cell-research-is-legal#comments[/url]


This is the last paragraph

"There are other types of stem cells, including so-called adult stem cells, found in everyone's bodies. But scientists say they don't have the same powerful properties as embryonic stem cells. Labs are also working to re-program ordinary cells to behave like embryonic cells. A deeply divided Congress has decided not to weigh in on the issue until elections give one party or the other more power."

What?

From what I understand, the use of embryonic stem cells has been a failure, yet the use of adult stem cells keeps yielding one successful result after another.

[Egidio]

[quote name='Maximilianus' timestamp='1345948390' post='2474322']


From what I understand, the use of embryonic stem cells has been a failure, yet the use of adult stem cells keeps yielding one successful result after another.
[/quote]

This is also how i understand it. Fr Tad Pacholczyk gives a good presentation on the matter.

AVE MARIA!
[b] [/b]

[GregorMendel]

If you define 'successful result' as research yielding possible therapeutic value, then adult stem cell research has indeed been valuable. Future therapies could harness the regenerative powers of these and many other types of human stem cells. Most of these cells, however, have limitations to the possible cell types they could differentiate into (such cells are 'Multipotent'), and thus represent a limited medical tool.

This is why embryonic stem cells are believed to hold such therapeutic promise, because they have the ability to differentiate into Any cell type ('Pluripotent'), representing a possible treatment for any disease involving cellular damage of literally any cell type.

Research involving adult stem cells and other stem cell types have thrived in recent years somewhat ironically, as the limited opportunities to study embryonic stem cells have forced a national (but not international, mind you) shift in focus upon such alternative resources. In fact, the lab beneath my own at my university makes it abundantly clear that they study human umbilical cord (huc) stem cells when visitors enter the facility.

I do not believe that the claim 'the use of embryonic stem cells has been a failure' to be factual, as they have already proven to be valuable disease research models and are still under study as possible therapeutic options for several diseases; unhindered research over the next decade or so will show the value of many current projects, both public and private.

Edited August 26, 2012 by GregorMendel

[dominicansoul]

how are embryonic stem cells harvested?

[Groo the Wanderer]

aborted babies and discarded babies from IVF
disgusting


gregormendel is 100% incorrect. Not a single cure or treatment for anything has come from embryonic stem cell research. Not one.

[missionseeker]

UAB is actually making great strides with adult stem cells. Here is one article about using it for healing bone injuries. http://www.uab.edu/uabmagazine/bermcenter



I found this study involving stem cells and rengerative cardiac cells fascinating http://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/vol6num4/pdf/bates.pdf


This one is using adult stem cells to cure blindness. http://m.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-06/curing-blindness-contact-lenses



Here is a link to how skin cells from the patient have potential to help cure MS. http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseaction/show/pageid/1482




And Parkinson's disease http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713191221.htm

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='GregorMendel' timestamp='1345966302' post='2474389']
This is why embryonic stem cells are believed to hold such therapeutic promise, because they have the ability to differentiate into [b]Any[/b] cell type ('Pluripotent'), representing a possible treatment for any disease involving cellular damage of literally any cell type.
[/quote]
Most cell types (pluripotent), not any cell type (totipotent). At least, I don't believe totipotency has yet been proven in human SC.



[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1345978000' post='2474396']
how are embryonic stem cells harvested?
[/quote]
I was reading an old NCBC article a few days ago on the morality of harvesting stem cells from spontaneous abortions (miscarriages). It seemed that Cardinal Law was, at the time, having theologians discuss the matter. That was 2002. Not sure if there has been any more discussion in the past decade.

Edited August 26, 2012 by CatholicCid

[dymphnamaria]

[Ice_nine]

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' timestamp='1345982369' post='2474401']
gregormendel is 100% incorrect. Not a single cure or treatment for anything has come from embryonic stem cell research. Not one.
[/quote]

"I do not believe that the claim 'the use of embryonic stem cells has been a failure' to be factual, as they have already proven to be valuable disease research models and are still under study as possible therapeutic options for several diseases; unhindered research over the next decade or so will show the value of many current projects, both public and private."

He seems to be saying that embryonic stem cell research could very well produce valuable results. I don't know if that's an endorsement or what, but it confused me because the bulk of the post was saying adult stem cell research has been useful, but didn't really clarify on whether or not embryonic stem cells should be studied. Perhaps he could clarify.

[Groo the Wanderer]

and monkeys COULD fly out of Hasan's tookus....

We gonna continue murdering babies on a COULD?

srsly.



We have actual cures, not butthat excuses of 'maybe one day possibly could' from adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells, neither of which require the destruction of life. So why pursue embryonic stem cells that have shown zero success? Follow the money trail...straight to hell.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Groo the Wanderer

[Archaeology cat]

You know a perfectly ethical source of stem cells? Breast milk. Just one more way it's amazing.
http://www.lifenews.com/2012/05/14/adult-stem-cells-in-breast-milk-work-like-embryonic-cells/