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Stem cell research: Scientific must, not political bust
David Youseff
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Ed-Op
In our world, fiction and science are rubbing elbows more and more often. One of these friction points is the issue of stem cell research, more specifically, the issue of gathering stem cells from the embryo of an aborted child. This discussion has drawn heated debate from both sides politically, led to new and very specific religious policies, and has shown a new frontier to scientists with a veritable Pandora's Box of biological manipulation.
On a purely political note, this argument is null and void as President Obama has already repealed the federal ban on funding stem cell research that former President Bush enacted. While individual states may still dissent from this decision, most have or will have to accept this. While I would like to say that I think this is the Obama administration's way of showing respect to the sciences, I think it is a more fiscal change in policy than anything else, but that is another rant for another day.
Ethically this issue has sent the religions of the world into a new frenzy as they try to cope with both: how they are gathered and their implications on the human condition. The Catholic Church in particular has had a very rigid view forbidding the use or investigation of embryonic stem cells, for many of the same reasons that they have always been adamantly in Pro-life. Oddly enough, the April first issue of the 'Seattle Pi' printed an article containing these findings: 63 percent of Catholics feel that stem cell research is acceptable.
Scientifically the dangers and opportunities presented by stem cells are staggering. As more research finds safer and less questionable places to find stem cells (inside fat, bone marrow, the umbilical cord) the more the inherent power in them becomes obvious. In one government study, 31 patients had angioplasty and stent placement after a heart attack. Early after the surgery 16 patients were given doses of their own bone marrow stem cells to the coronary artery that had the blockage. Those who received stem cells showed greater improvement then the half in the control group after six months, and those who received higher doses of stem cells improved more than those with a lesser dosage. This is only one of the ways in which stem cells offer hope in medicine.
On a purely political note, this argument is null and void as President Obama has already repealed the federal ban on funding stem cell research that former President Bush enacted. While individual states may still dissent from this decision, most have or will have to accept this. While I would like to say that I think this is the Obama administration's way of showing respect to the sciences, I think it is a more fiscal change in policy than anything else, but that is another rant for another day.
Ethically this issue has sent the religions of the world into a new frenzy as they try to cope with both: how they are gathered and their implications on the human condition. The Catholic Church in particular has had a very rigid view forbidding the use or investigation of embryonic stem cells, for many of the same reasons that they have always been adamantly in Pro-life. Oddly enough, the April first issue of the 'Seattle Pi' printed an article containing these findings: 63 percent of Catholics feel that stem cell research is acceptable.
Scientifically the dangers and opportunities presented by stem cells are staggering. As more research finds safer and less questionable places to find stem cells (inside fat, bone marrow, the umbilical cord) the more the inherent power in them becomes obvious. In one government study, 31 patients had angioplasty and stent placement after a heart attack. Early after the surgery 16 patients were given doses of their own bone marrow stem cells to the coronary artery that had the blockage. Those who received stem cells showed greater improvement then the half in the control group after six months, and those who received higher doses of stem cells improved more than those with a lesser dosage. This is only one of the ways in which stem cells offer hope in medicine.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
D Church
posted 4/10/09 @ 10:40 AM EST
You confuse the issue by mixing discussion of embryonic stem cell research (cells from aborted chidren) with adult stem cell reasearch (cells from umbilical cords). (Continued…)
R.Will.
posted 4/10/09 @ 12:41 PM EST
"In our world, fiction and science are rubbing elbows more and more often. One of these friction points is the issue of stem cell research, more specifically, the issue of gathering stem cells from the embryo of an aborted child. (Continued…)
Rishi
posted 4/10/09 @ 1:28 PM EST
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells also serve as a viable alternative. It seems that humans would be a lot more willing to sacrifice skin cells rather than deal with the ethics inherent to embryonic stem cell research. (Continued…)
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