Are you for or against Stem Cell Research?

[DanCa]

Poll question: Are you for or against Stem Cell Research?

I was just wondering what the general consensus on DU was. Note I have been to a stem cell lab and I have seen the process up close. And I can safely say that no one wants to destroy life just to create it. As Dr Cady says that's bad science and bad medicine. Also I wanted to let you know that we have legislation in pro stem cell bills that prohibit human cloning. So I just wanted to ask this question to DU as a whole. Are you for Stem Cell research or against it. Thanks everyone in advance for filling this poll out.

[Nutmegger]

1. I'm for it

The benefits are too great for us to ignore.

Plus is pisses off the FreepTards!:P

:sarcasm: just in case...

[IsItJustMe]

3. I'm against it, but for completely different reasons than the Repukes

There are some scary things going on with gene splicing and such. Many forms of food that we now eat have been genetically altered and there are scientists that are warning that we really don't know the long term effects.

My concern is that science sometimes gets out of control and this is one area we can't afford any room for error.

That being said, if I was assured that the proper oversight and procedures were in place, my mind could be changed.

It has been said, measure twice and cut once.

[DanCa]

8. I can respect your view point though I disagree with it..

I wont cheap shot you either. But believe me the procedure has safe gaurds in it that should ease your concerns. If you live in the Chicago area I can try to arrange a lab visit for you to see it yourself. Note I had some of the same concerns as you did before I became involved it. I Hope were cool. :)

[IsItJustMe]

10. We're cool. Just don't want to see any 12 feet humans running around. LOL

[DanCa]

11. Or an army of 12 inch high Dubya clones :D

Trust me no one wants that LOL.

[madokie]

4. 'if for no other reason, it pisses off the freeptards,' if for no other

reason. but there is a lot of other reasons and one is to help people with incurable maladies. My understanding is there is nothing lost only a lot to be gained.

[Nutmegger]

6. Right, I agree

Looks like I need to place a sarcasm tag there...

[Meldread]

2. Support it 100%.

It is just too important to turn our backs on. It could save and change millions of lives for the better. The only immoral people involved in this whole situation are those who oppose it.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

5. Same here, I support it 100%.

When you stop to think about how people's lives could be impacted by this research, it's mind boggling.

[Nitrogenica]

7. My army of Wellstone clones will RULE THE WORLD!!!!

Oops I mean yes, I am for it.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

9. Come on, get real

Regardless of what the Amerikan Taliban tells you, this is the 21st century. Cast aside your primitive belief system based on superstition and get with the program. If this research can help "the people", It should be funded and encouraged by everyone on earth. Cast out the demons of Goody Osburn and rejoice in the world of enlightenment! Resist the temptation to return us to the dark ages. Reject the teachings of those who would burn witches and welcome to the new enlightenment! Get with the program on modern, supposedly civilized man (and women) and stop letting the ignorant primitives run the asylum. The fact that this question is even asked in 2006, is testimony to the lack of development of mankind as a whole, and, more importantly, the success of the ruling class to thwart educating the populace so they can continue to exploit them.

[DanCa]

14. Well just to clarify my position. I am 110 percent for it.

Infact I was just on Capitol Hill last week trying to get legislation passed for it. I really really want to walk without the fear of falling down. :D

[zonmoy]

12. I am for it

it might lead to a cure for autism which I and many other people will benifit from.

[caligirl]

13. For it, diabetic child here.

[DanCa]

15. I am so sorry to hear that

My neice Destiny is thirteen. She's a hemophiliac and infact she had to go for a blood transfusion last week because she slipped on the ice. I hope that they never ban birth control because once she starts having her period she wont be able to regulate the blood flow.

[caligirl]

17. And I bet her parents anxiety keeps them up at night too! Sooo sorry.

[DanCa]

21. Actually her Dad walked out on her when he found out she was sick.

Thanks for your concern :D Ill try to post a pic of her in a couple of days to show you what a cutie she is. www.photobucket.com doesn't seem to like my dsl connection so I got to find another site.

[caligirl]

28. I had the impression this was a male inherited disesae

but a female carrier, with females actually having the disease being extremely rare. so I am even more sorry about this

[DanCa]

29. My family is a bunch of genetic misfits.

My brother Doug has MS, I have Parkinsons, and my neice is a Hemophiliac. Some days I swear that we were born on a radioactive dump site. :D

[PhilipShore]

16. I am opposed to Stem Cell research because...

the research could have a Frankenstein Effect; on medical and biological sciences, and that science would only be exploited by the military-industrial-complex.

Mankind, cannot even handle the science of nukes; civilian or military, how can we think they could handle advanced stem cell research, especially in the hands of Repuke corporate scientists.

[caligirl]

18. With that logic, no one should ever have another child, what if

what if what if what if!

[PhilipShore]

24. When the built the first atomic Bomb...

they argued that it would be the greatest achievement for humanity -- that would forever bring world peace, in which no wars would ever exist again.

[DanCa]

25. We just have a different point of world view :D

That's cool, I can handle a difference of opinion. Thank you for not insulting me.
I wish I could set aside your fears but I have a hard time reasoning in what ifs. Not a slam on you. I hope that we can civily agree to disagree on this issue. Peace,Danny.

[PhilipShore]

26. Read American physicist (Ralph Lapp) who, with Teller, built the...

first hydrogen bomb in 1949.

He has tons of articles and books about how science -- can have Frankenstein effect, on the world. He was once for nuke technology, and then became one of the greatest critics, of that scientific technology.

[rman]

43. yes well, politicians will say anything to get their way, don't they.

After all it was their idea to actually build the bomb.

[The Activist]

19. stem cells

Its time that WE THE PEOPLE took controle of our own lives. The drug companies can't make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ off of people being cured by their own cells, you can't bottel and sell stem cells on the shelf. their are to much profit in suffering to allow millions to be cured this easily. DKidd...

[newyawker99]

45. The Activist!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DanCa]

20. Well a knife can be used to stab someone or you could use it to eat with

The "what if" or "could be" factor will allways be there. The research again could be used to help heal soldiers who come in contact with a biological disease for instance. Rest assured though that we are placing restrictions in bills that prohibit the Frankenstein effects that you are worried about. Again if you have such worries I could probably get in touch with a stem cell scientist for you and he or she can reassure you far better than I. Have a nice night.

[PhilipShore]

23. It is the Repuke militarists I am worried about...

much more then the scientists. As soon as it became an actual possibility; rest assured the military would kick all the actual stem cell scientists out, and put in PR scientists, that are just spokesmen for the Repukes and organizations like the PNAC.

[Pastiche423]

27. You do realize that stem cell research is happening all over the world

don't you? Many countries are well advanced in their research. The United States is not one of those countries though, because of the bastard in the WH.

This is not a Dem/Repuke issue. It is a human issue.

Although it is too late for me to benefit from what may come w/research, I hope w/all of my heart that others will.

Please do not begrudge the research that may help millions upon millions of human beings because of your unrealistic fear. Please.

[PhilipShore]

30. Unrealistic fear?

Please do not begrudge the research that may help millions upon millions of human beings because of your unrealistic fear. Please.

Governments spend billions and billions of $$$$$$$$$$, developing Atomic, Biological, and Chemical weapons, to be used for destructive purposes, and stockpile those weapons.

What about Anthrax?

Anthrax is an example, in which science in theory was controlled in safe environments , yet it was stolen from Weapons laboratories that stockpiled it, and used as a destructive weapon.

As soon as Stem Cell research became a possibility -- it would; also be put into a weapon form -- to be used for destructive purposes, by all the major governments of the world -- as well as by any mad scientist, which could be hired by some deep pocket terrorist organization.

[Pastiche423]

31. Where in the world are you getting your information from?

Do you even know what stem cells are? How could they be weaponized?

I am trying really hard not to lash out, but I'm not sure I have the strength. It is too difficult for me to understand why anyone would be against finding a cure for millions of people that live in pain daily or could live a much shortened life.

P.S. It only takes a second to become disabled for life.

[PhilipShore]

32. I am not a scientist, so I would not know how...

How do you know that stem cells -- could not be weaponized?

When they built the first A bomb they slammed all the critics with the same arguments. You’re really not against World Peace are you? How could you be against Nukes when it could help millions, bring world peace forever, millions of people would be saved from dying in endless wars, etc.

[Pastiche423]

33. I'm done w/you

Please go educate yourself.

[PhilipShore]

37. The problem with laws... is that they can be broken, ...

ignored, and changed.

I am not a lawyer, but the entire White House ignored the FISA law.

[fujiyama]

34. Really poor reasoning

If the world went by those standards, we shouldn't have antibiotics or any other medication.

Hell, why bother research into anything because of fear of it being used improperly?

Science itself isn't evil. It's morally neutral. It's a matter of how it's used and by whom.

With safeguards in place, stem cell research could hold amazing benefits for mankind.

[PhilipShore]

36. What are the safeguards?

With safeguards in place, stem cell research could hold amazing benefits for mankind.

If it is 100% safe—then why are safeguards needed?

What are the safeguards? Who creates the safeguards?

[fujiyama]

41. The ethical guidelines should be set by the medical

and scientific community.

The only "problem" I can see with stem cell research is that of destroying embryos but as has been pointed out, most of these embryos would be destroyed anyways. For me, this is a non issue, as is the case with most that are pro choice, and even many that are anti choice.

You keep speaking of a "Frankenstein effect", but you don't make clear exactly what the concern is in this case. There are corporate issues here that can be potentially problematic - greedy corporations trying to patent various stem cells.

I still don't see a reason to not continue research. Plus, as has been pointed out, other countries are continuing research as it is. The US is simply being left behind.

And BTW, nothing is ever "100% safe". There is inherant risk in everything. But the risk here is much less than the potential benefits.

[PhilipShore]

42. Frankenstein effect

You keep speaking of a "Frankenstein effect", but you don't make clear exactly what the concern is in this case.

Biological weapon research -- would be done by the militaries; around the world about how to use Stem Cells to create biological, and/or chemical weapons, shortly after it became a medicine.

That technological Bio bomb would be stockpiled, then likely stolen. Same with the Bio bomb technology, it could be stolen or sold, etc.

I cannot specify or guess as the exact, Frankenstein effect because; Stem Cell medicine does not exist, and I am not a Doctor, so I don’t even know about the Stem Cell Research—other then what I read in the papers.

[Caretha]

47. You said

"Stem Cell medicine does not exist". Yes it does. It's very much in the baby stages right now, but incredibly there are doctors in Israel & Thailand that coordinate using stem cells for repairing hearts. Go google it, you will be truly amazed.

I also was a Dist Dir for MDA for five years and daily received reports from different MDA research funded facilities working on stem cell medicine. It is in the testing stage at the moment but some of the results are very promising and are giving hope to those families whose sons have Duchenne. BTW, Duchenne is a disease genetically passed from the mother to the son and it afflicts males only. It is a death sentence for every male child born with it.

I know these families, I've held and hugged these boys.....So when you propose that we do not look for cures with stem cell research it kinda gets my dander up. You be the one to go tell the parents and these children that they deserve no life or hope. Until you do that personally, I can't cut you any slack for your egotistical love of ignorance.

[Rainscents]

22. 100% for it!

[deadcenter]

35. for it

my dad dealt with diabetes for 36 years. if stem cell research can provide a cure, it's worth researching.

[Kerrytravelers]

38. This would be great for the Halliburton Contractors.

See, then we wouldn't send our military over to fight for the BFEE oil profits. We could clone Halliburton Contract Soldiers. When the die, we simply clone some more.

OK, bad idea. But a girl ca dream, can't she? :shrug:

[rfkrfk]

39. this is a state issue, the feds need to beat it ... n/t

[Foodbunny]

40. Totally for it.

I'd love to have a new, non-cancerous thyroid. I'd love to see people with all sorts of disorders given the means to live life free from pain.

[Hekate]

44. I'm for it. Like all human research, I think medical ethicists...

...should have a say in how it progresses, and that is one distinct advantage to having public/government funding.

Bush's way ensures that anyone who can obtain private funding will be able to do the research without oversight, which is not a good thing.(As for Bush's "human-animal hybrids" -- even though he makes it sound like someone's bothering the sheep again, there actually are some creepy experiments taking place. I would like this, like cloning, to be another area where medical ethicists had some oversight.)

Bush and his religious wingnut friends live in a science-fantasy world of wishful thinking where God created the world 8,000 years ago in six 24-hour days; where there is no such thing as global warming or bad air quality; where week-old zygotes are homunculi waving their wee arms and smiling wee smiles with fully-formed faces; where just-fertilized eggs are the moral and legal equivalent of toddlers, 25-year-old women, and 50-year-old men, and so on ad nauseum.

IVF and other fertility procedures often produce a couple of dozen fertilized eggs -- and when a couple is satisfied that they have completed their family (with a couple of actual 8-pound babies, not frozen cells), some of them would like to donate the leftover fertilized eggs to a good cause, like stem cell research.

Under Bush's current laws, they can't. They can either pay to have their DNA frozen indefinitely, or they can have it defrosted and poured into a biohazard container for disposal.

Than's right. Unused fertilized eggs are THROWN AWAY. Amazing, isn't it?

I'm with those couples who would rather have these precious bits of human DNA (these blueprints that only under the right circumstances would ever have a chance of becoming anything) put to work in the effort to cure terrible human afflictions.

Hekate

[stray cat]

46. Embyronic stem cells are currently discarded

at fertility clinics. I would much rather see them put to good use for a potential opportunity to cure Parkinsons etc. Definitely in favor there use for stem cell research over there incineration in a biohazard bag.

[DanCa]

49. After the 16 day period when there no longer viable

just wanted to point that out. The embryos are treated with great care by the researchers. It really isn't the nightmare horror story that the right tries to sell the public. I.E. There aren't any embryo farms or newborns in incubators. It's just right wing fiction.

[DanCa]

48. 120 for 5 against.

Thanks everyone for participating.