[Apogee]

FWIW, the Russians have always been big on miracle research, particularly if it is inexpensive (they couldn't afford any other kind, perhaps).
However, my best understanding is that Adult stem cells do have a limited functionality - that is, they do work within certain parameters, given that they are somewhat formed already and so have a limited range of further development available to them.
Baby stem cells, because they have not begun to divide and specialize yet, have potential for becoming anything. Of course, the key word here is potential. There has not been any real success yet, and may never be. One problem with getting embryonic stem cells to start growing, for instance, is that a cell that keeps replicating itself the essential ingredient of cancer, which is not a desirable outcome.
In my opinion, people hype stem cell research in their desire to have some sort of ultimate panacea. We can not accept death, or pain and suffering, and will do anything to try to hold on to the hope that we can be gods, rather than surrender.

[chuckles]

"Baby stem cells, because they have not begun to divide and specialize yet, have potential for becoming anything."

Propaganda! The, so far have only turned into tumors. Do a "Google" on adult stem cells and see that they have already had good results in several areas. They injected marrow stems into a heart after an attack and healed his heart, cured blindness with marrow stems, etc. The most exciting news lately is they are finding stem cells everywhere in the body. They have found stem cells in the brain repairing brain cells. These came from elsewhere in the body to repair nerves. They are able to harvest these cells and clone them in a dish for more potent use. There is, so far, ZERO success in using embryo stem cells. They are desperate to find a use for aborted babies to justify their murder. Bush found this out when he studied the subject early on. The real research is in adult and cord blood stem cells.

If they can cure spinal injury and diabetes with adult stems, how will they justify SELLING fetal tissue? They are selling fetal tissue to research clinics now! Its a whole new industry.

[Cedar]

Maybe all these efforts to extend life greatly affect the "quality of life" for many people.

For centuries people just died. And though they might not have lived to be 80, yet at least they died at home and without tubes in them, or spending the last months of their lives having blood drawn often and going through a barrage of exhausting x-rays & other tests.

And the sick people were allowed to stay in bed and rest, while the healthy doctor came to the house. It all made much more sense.

Now those who are ill (even terminal) have to get out in ALL kinds of weather and go to a clinic/hospital where there are many, many other sick people (and germs). And to top it all off, they have to pay huge sums of money to do this! (Either through years of insurance payments or writing them a check, they're gonna pay.)

Medical advancements and professionals have helped many a person--I don't mean to take that away from them. The "system" though seems to be in need of major changes.