An ethical approach to stem cell research.

www.hotchicken.com ^ | 3-25-04 | www.hotchicken.com

[thebiggestdog]

In the past decade, there have been rapid advances in medicine that have changed the way we think about disease, aging and cures for once incurable diseases. I am not a doctor, but I have kept up with the breakthroughs in gene mapping, cord blood research and stem cells.

Stem cells in particular have been touted as the magic bullet, a possible cure all for Alzheimer's, diabetes, and some of our most debilatating illnesses. The ethical concern over stem cells is well know, with many in the scientific community overlooking the moral question in hopes for a cure. I can see both sides of the argument, but I am not convinced stem cells are a cure all, or that they should be tried to cure every possible disease. In the presidential election, John Kerry tried to use his position on stem cells against the president, and his people consistently twisted the truth about the current research being done. As I understand it, there is not a ban on stem cells; there is specific research being done on many stem cell lines, but the research is not open to everyone. Part of the problem is that every Tom, Dick and Harry researcher wants to put his mitts on few stem cells and see what he can do. I am sure these people all have good motives, but this is life that we are playing with, and it should not be tossed about by anyone who wants to play Dr. Frankenstein.

[thebiggestdog]

Researchers in Australia have found a way around the ban on harvesting embryos for stem cell research. Funded by a grant from the Catholic church, adult stem cells were grown from cells taken from the nose

[SunkenCiv]

earlier topic with news about the Australian development:

Sweet cell of success
(Major breakthrough in adult stem cell research could end ethical debate)
The Australian | March 22, 2005 | Wayne Smith
Posted on 03/21/2005 7:51:51 AM PST by dead
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1367196/posts