Re: The Lame will walk
Originally posted by Bearcat Powered:<br />Not only are FETAL stem cells not the only kind stem cells, but to date no one has been successfully treated with fetal stem cell therapy. However, at the least many hundreds, probably even a few thousand ARE successfully treated with adult stem cells or umbilical stem cells every year, and the number is growing. The technology that IS proven to work is NOT the fetal kind.
It seems to me that this is precisely why more research needs to be done. As mentioned above, this field of research is EXTREMELY new. If you pay any attention at all, you realize that medical studies and trials, even with animals only, take millions of dollars and several years. It's even more and longer for human trials. This research has only been around since 1998, and couldn't use any federal money until 2001. How fast do you think this stuff can happen? <br />
<br />In fact, there have been problems with tumor development in test animals given fetal stem cells according to one report. Yet the non-fetal research is proving more promising than ever. <br />
This is another excellent reason for more rearch being required. It is the non-differentiation and pluripotency of the cells that makes the embryonic cells differ from other stem cells. That is the reason for increased tumor development, but it is also exactly why there is far more potential in that area of research.<br />
<br />It occurs to me the main reason that is so controversial is that many are not being told the truth, and are thus misinformed. snip the anecdote and following spin...
That does indeed seem to be case here--and it's hardly one-sided. I doubt that most scientists think that Diane Feinstein is capable of explaining exactly what it is they do. This is an unfortunate of representative government and lobbying. One must explain to people outside the field the effects of allowing or disallowing this, that, or the other. It so happens that many laws have had unintended consequences (DMCA, PATRIOT [sic] Act (sort of), et al.) because the lawyers and politicians didn't understand what they were saying. I realize that rant was off-topic somewhat, and I apologize, but will leave it anyway. <br /><br />
<br />When so much more promise exists in what has already been demonstrated to work, why all the fuss about FETAL stem cells?
If you understand the science behind gene therapy, differentiation, and pluri- vs. multipotency, then you have your answer. <br />
<br /><br />The fact is our President has no problem with allowing or funding the better technology anyway. There must be something more behind this shady argument pushed by the left. [...] This knowledge about stem cells is not hidden from anyone who cares to find it. There is no excuse for these lies continuing.
I'm not sure what "knowledge you're talking about there, but for the most part you're right about Bush. It was only because of him that funding is allowed now, even if only to the small number of pre-existing lines. If the harvesting is ethical, I would like to see that part of the law changed. The *fact* is, there is a difference in stem cell types, and more research is desperately needed. <br /><br />And Bearcat Powered, on a personal note, this reposnse was not really directed at you personally. You seemed to sum up many of the comments above and it seemed the most convenient way to address some of the repeated questions in this thread. With respect, Shan.
