New Method Equalizes Stem Cell Debate

piercehawkeye45 · 11-21-2007, 11:55 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/wa...hp&oref=slogin

Quote:

The discovery that skin cells can be reprogrammed to mimic embryonic stem cells is likely to transform the sticky political debate over the science, a debate that has pitted Mr. Bush against two-thirds of the American public including prominent Republicans like Nancy Reagan and has even helped decide some elections.

This is a big step in terms of science and health. Good thing it happened no matter who takes or deserves credit for it.

glatt · 11-21-2007, 12:04 PM

I'll take the credit for it. It was my idea. Check the archives. I'd point out the post, but I can't be bothered to look it up right now.

LJ · 11-21-2007, 12:12 PM

here it is.

glatt · 11-21-2007, 12:25 PM

I'm not clicking on "disgusting.jpg."

Edit: Nice try, though!

ZenGum · 11-21-2007, 12:29 PM

They're not the researchers. They're the donors.

LJ · 11-21-2007, 12:33 PM

damn you glatt....

...damn you to hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

glatt · 11-21-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ

damn you glatt....

...damn you to hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Muh hah hah ha!

But in all seriousness, this is promising news for stem cell research. I, for one, am pleased that this break though occurred. Go science!

Radar · 11-21-2007, 04:21 PM

I don't like any stem cells unless a fetus dies to provide them.

Sundae · 11-21-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ

here it is.

Hey that's me on the far right!

LJ · 11-21-2007, 04:55 PM

PISH POSH

DanaC · 11-21-2007, 05:11 PM

Fuck off Sundae, you're in a different league to that bird.

Aliantha · 11-22-2007, 07:15 AM

I think cellar dwellars should consider that stem cell research could help one of our own members if it comes down to the crunch.

Then think about whether or not it's immoral or any of that other drivel.

I think this new developement is great, but then, I had no problem with the old method either.

queequeger · 11-22-2007, 08:55 AM

I don't know if this really "equalizes the debate," either. It's still beyond stupid to argue that, "God hates abortion, so instead of using this already aborted fetus to do research, let's throw it away. Because throwing it away is less of an abomination than studying it."

Do people think women have abortions so they can help science?? The fact is, even if we can get skin cells to do the same thing, there's absolutely no harm in studying the fetuses as well. It should also be pointed out that just because you can get a skin cell to mimic a fetal stem cell, it does not mean that it will behave in exactly the same way in every situation.

Animal organs can be studied to learn more about our organs, but when it comes right down to it, they're only so close. This is like the church saying posthumous dissection is evil, people should study animals.

queequeger · 11-22-2007, 09:02 AM

Oh em eff gee, I just read that article. GW is taking credit for scientific discovery, now!?

:

ZenGum · 11-22-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queequeger

I don't know if this really "equalizes the debate," either. It's still beyond stupid to argue that, "God hates abortion, so instead of using this already aborted fetus to do research, let's throw it away. Because throwing it away is less of an abomination than studying it."

Do people think women have abortions so they can help science?? The fact is, even if we can get skin cells to do the same thing, there's absolutely no harm in studying the fetuses as well. It should also be pointed out that just because you can get a skin cell to mimic a fetal stem cell, it does not mean that it will behave in exactly the same way in every situation.

Animal organs can be studied to learn more about our organs, but when it comes right down to it, they're only so close. This is like the church saying posthumous dissection is evil, people should study animals.

IIRC the source of fetal stem cells is not abortion, but unused zygotes left over from in-vitro fertilization programs.
You're right, though, that it is not yet certain that these skin stem cells will behave exactly like fetal stem cells. More research is needed.

11-21-2007, 12:29 PM	#5
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	They're not the researchers. They're the donors. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

11-21-2007, 04:21 PM	#8
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	I don't like any stem cells unless a fetus dies to provide them. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin

11-22-2007, 07:15 AM	#12
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I think cellar dwellars should consider that stem cell research could help one of our own members if it comes down to the crunch. Then think about whether or not it's immoral or any of that other drivel. I think this new developement is great, but then, I had no problem with the old method either. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-22-2007, 08:55 AM	#13
queequeger Hypercharismatic Telepathical Knight Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The armpit of the Universe... Augusta, GA Posts: 365	I don't know if this really "equalizes the debate," either. It's still beyond stupid to argue that, "God hates abortion, so instead of using this already aborted fetus to do research, let's throw it away. Because throwing it away is less of an abomination than studying it." Do people think women have abortions so they can help science?? The fact is, even if we can get skin cells to do the same thing, there's absolutely no harm in studying the fetuses as well. It should also be pointed out that just because you can get a skin cell to mimic a fetal stem cell, it does not mean that it will behave in exactly the same way in every situation. Animal organs can be studied to learn more about our organs, but when it comes right down to it, they're only so close. This is like the church saying posthumous dissection is evil, people should study animals. __________________ Hoocha, hoocha, hoocha... lobster.

11-22-2007, 09:02 AM	#14
queequeger Hypercharismatic Telepathical Knight Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The armpit of the Universe... Augusta, GA Posts: 365	Oh em eff gee, I just read that article. GW is taking credit for scientific discovery, now!? : __________________ Hoocha, hoocha, hoocha... lobster.

11-21-2007, 12:04 PM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I'll take the credit for it. It was my idea. Check the archives. I'd point out the post, but I can't be bothered to look it up right now.

11-21-2007, 12:12 PM	#3
LJ i am myself Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: via blackberry, maybe Posts: 750	here it is.

11-21-2007, 12:25 PM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I'm not clicking on "disgusting.jpg." Edit: Nice try, though!

11-21-2007, 12:33 PM	#6
LJ i am myself Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: via blackberry, maybe Posts: 750	damn you glatt.... ...damn you to hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

11-21-2007, 04:55 PM	#10
LJ i am myself Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: via blackberry, maybe Posts: 750	PISH POSH

11-21-2007, 05:11 PM	#11
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Fuck off Sundae, you're in a different league to that bird.

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