Well, I hope you have enough information to reach your own conclusions about stem cell research. What I hope I have made clear over the past few months are these arguments:
1) There are too many forms of research for the scientific community to dwell on one area of research, embryonic. If huge breakthroughs occur with umbilical cord blood, fat cells, and destroyed embryos, the government will have to budge and reconsider its strict policies on embryonic stem cell research.
2) If the United States doesn’t invest more money into stem cell research, we will continue to lose the lead in the medical community we once had over other countries like China and the UK.
3) Cloning to use embryonic stem cells is morally unjust. Donate your own stem cells like you donate your own blood. It should be a choice for the donator.
4) Write senators. There are too many high-ranking government officials who are supporters of stem cell research. Let me them know you agree, and are mad that stem cell research is moving within our country at an embarrassing slow pace.
5) And lastly, now that you’re educated on this matter—though it’s cliché—educate others. Speak out in debates and posit the option of using stem cells.
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A New and Kind of Gross Trend
Parents are saving their childrens' umbilical cord blood after birth. According to research "A cord blood stem cell transplant with a person's own cord blood stem cells, or that of a sibling, gives your child the greatest possible chance of being cured of their disease." So, I guess it's worthwhile, just a very different practice.
I know you're thinking, "How is this done?"
After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, your doctor will collect the cord blood using either a syringe or a blood bag. The procedure is safe, painless, and only takes a few minutes.
What's even more interesting is that not only is the newborn a good match for the stem cells, but so is the mother, because she carried the baby for nine months, and so are other siblings. It should also be noted that any family member who is a suitable genetic match may be able to use the stem cells if needed.
Moreover, cord blood can be stored for a long time. Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.
This last statistic is something I find to be most interesting. And although people are leery about interpreting stats, citing it can be manipulated to interpret anything, I would urge them to look beyond their skepticism.
According to medical research, the odds that a child will need to use his or her own stem cells for current uses is 1 in 2,700, and the odds that a family member would need to use those cells are about 1 in 1,400. These odds do not include the emerging use of cord blood stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury. The continued progress would greatly increase the likelihood of use.
I know you're thinking, "How is this done?"
After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, your doctor will collect the cord blood using either a syringe or a blood bag. The procedure is safe, painless, and only takes a few minutes.
What's even more interesting is that not only is the newborn a good match for the stem cells, but so is the mother, because she carried the baby for nine months, and so are other siblings. It should also be noted that any family member who is a suitable genetic match may be able to use the stem cells if needed.
Moreover, cord blood can be stored for a long time. Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.
This last statistic is something I find to be most interesting. And although people are leery about interpreting stats, citing it can be manipulated to interpret anything, I would urge them to look beyond their skepticism.
According to medical research, the odds that a child will need to use his or her own stem cells for current uses is 1 in 2,700, and the odds that a family member would need to use those cells are about 1 in 1,400. These odds do not include the emerging use of cord blood stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury. The continued progress would greatly increase the likelihood of use.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
If I Agree About Not Growing "Human/Fetal Farms," What Other Options are There?
What about using abandoned and/or frozen embryos? Since scientists cannot use undestroyed embryos, wouldn't it be smart for them to focus on the defected and frozen embryos donated to research by parents? Oh wait, scientists cannot touch those either.
There are thousands of embryos left untouched and unresearched every year because of Bush's restrictions. So guess what? These donated embryos are being thrown away. Why? Because the embryos are healthy.
Let's look at it this way. The government is already unhappy women have the right to choose, so in order to make women opt not to donate their embryos to research, they say, "If you do not choose to have this baby, we will not allow you to donate your healthy baby/fetus, which could possibly help cure someone else's disease. Instead, it will sit in a freezer for a while and then be thrown away." Moreover, they are saying, "we will only allow researchers to use defected embryos--people that will be born with some form of disability; let's not even give them a chance to live."
In vitro fertilization clinics, there tends to be more embryos than can placed in the mother, leaving the embryos to be stored or frozen. Since there is no other probable use for them, why not donate them to stem cell research? Why not let the parents make the right decision and let the cells of their child save desperate lives, just as we do after an auto accident by using the organs of those who have tragically died? Also, since this is one of the only ways stem cell research can continue in most states, why not at least inform the parents of their rights?
Another intersting point would then be, isn't the government also guilty of abortion? The majority of these babies/fetuses are being thrown away, because the government won't allow scientists to research them. What do you think is the best option for these frozen embryos? To be researched and save lives or to be thrown away?
There are thousands of embryos left untouched and unresearched every year because of Bush's restrictions. So guess what? These donated embryos are being thrown away. Why? Because the embryos are healthy.
Let's look at it this way. The government is already unhappy women have the right to choose, so in order to make women opt not to donate their embryos to research, they say, "If you do not choose to have this baby, we will not allow you to donate your healthy baby/fetus, which could possibly help cure someone else's disease. Instead, it will sit in a freezer for a while and then be thrown away." Moreover, they are saying, "we will only allow researchers to use defected embryos--people that will be born with some form of disability; let's not even give them a chance to live."
In vitro fertilization clinics, there tends to be more embryos than can placed in the mother, leaving the embryos to be stored or frozen. Since there is no other probable use for them, why not donate them to stem cell research? Why not let the parents make the right decision and let the cells of their child save desperate lives, just as we do after an auto accident by using the organs of those who have tragically died? Also, since this is one of the only ways stem cell research can continue in most states, why not at least inform the parents of their rights?
Another intersting point would then be, isn't the government also guilty of abortion? The majority of these babies/fetuses are being thrown away, because the government won't allow scientists to research them. What do you think is the best option for these frozen embryos? To be researched and save lives or to be thrown away?
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