Do you think embryonic stem cell research is unethical?

[Kia17]

“However, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is ethically and politically controversial because it involves the destruction of human embryos. In the United States, the question of when human life begins has been highly controversial and closely linked to debates over abortion.”

“In 2001, President George W. Bush restricted federal funding for research on stem cells obtained from human embryos because the technology required the destruction of human life.”

Please share your thoughts with us.

[enjoysalud]

No, I do NOT think it unethical.

Public disclosure I am the 77 year old mom of a son who was DX with PD Jan 2015, re-DX with PSP January 2017, and died May 4, 2017 of PSP. I attend my local Presbyterian church and have read the bible a couple of times, cover to cover. I reside in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

If I remember correctly, Nancy Reagan (also a Presbyterian) was opposed to Stem cell until her husband, Ronald Reagan, began to develop dementia, then she became supportive.

If I understand correctly the embryos used for stem cell are gotten from Vitro Fertilization clinics....with full permission of the donor. My definition of life is when the fetus is expelled from the uterus and can live on it's OWN outside the uterus.

We presently have a president who is going to appoint a new member to the Supreme Court. I think the entire question of abortion, stem cell research, etc, will be out of our hands...no matter our personal beliefs....for the next 20+ years.

[Kia17 in reply to enjoysalud]

enjoysalud

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts.

Kia

[Juliegrace]

It is not unethical.

[MBAnderson]

I am reluctant to comment on this because it might be interpreted as a position on the ethics, which it is not. It's just a clarification. When it's presented as the embryo is being destroyed to harvest stem cells makes it sound like the embryo would not otherwise be destroyed. The embryo is going to be destroyed anyway.

[parkie13]

What is unethical is stopping the research. What is unethical is forcing one person's views on Millions.

[Motherfather]

well i for one had stem cell therpy in china i dont regret any of it.it dont cure but it does help.and i would not think twice about doing it again.there are a lot of narrow minded people out there who will tell you you cant do that.they should get a life them selfs.i dont understand there thinking.regards.

[Xenos in reply to Motherfather]

If you feel like it, could you elaborate, or give us a link ?

[Motherfather in reply to Xenos]

well can you tell me what you would like to know xenos.

[Xenos in reply to Motherfather]

What symptoms did the procedure alleviate, was it durable in time, the length and price of the procedure, the risks (is it injected in the brain?), was it in a clinic or an hospital ?

[Motherfather in reply to Xenos]

hi xenos well it took 2 weeks to do and it was in an hospital in beijing not a big fancy one you buy your on food as every one likes different foods.there were people from all over the world there people from isreal russia..iraqi im australia china and other places.your on a drip for the 2 weeks u are there then when they give you the stem cells they give it in the bottom of the spine.total 3 times .the price was 18.000 us dollars.for the 2 weeks..it made a big differents to me my kids noticed the differents.they talk to you and explain every thing,you can ask anything of them.they will answer your questions.as i said it dont cure it but it helped.i still walk about 10 klm a day plus exercise doing different things.i do that 7 days aweek.52 weeks a year.hope this helps.regards.

[parkie13 in reply to Motherfather]

Thank you for telling us little bit more. Mary

[Xenos in reply to Motherfather]

Thank you so much for the details. It's nice to know that we have a "Plan B" available.

Please keep the group informed.

[parkie13 in reply to Motherfather]

I remember when you went to China and had the procedure done. Are you doing better now after some time elapsed? Can you see a definite difference? That was very interesting what you wrote before.

[Motherfather in reply to parkie13]

hi parkie yes theres a differents as i keep in touch with my friends here in healthunlocked and the advice they give me i try..im on the b vitamins at the moment.1000mg b1..1000mg b3 and 500mg mega b complex high potency.every day plus madopar at the moment im in the prosess of getting a prescription for medical marijuana oil ill let you know what happens then.i have a good doctor here and its legal.regards.

[PDConscience]

Whether the destruction of a human embryo is ethical or or not, it is no longer necessary. Since the ban on embryonic research in USA (nearly 2 decades ago), a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to 2 researchers (1 Brit, 1 Japanese) for their respective contributions to the ultimate development of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs). Shinya Yamanaka, the Japanese researcher, spearheaded research that led to the development of a means by which adult cells (skin cells in this case) could be 'reprogrammed' by the addition of a few genes into a pluripotent state (embryonic-like).

Since Yamanaka's discovery in 2008, these 'embryonic-like' pluripotent stem cells have been proven to possess the same potential as their now redundant embryonic predecessors. Of interest to those of us with PD, these IPSCs have since been differentiated into DA neurons and successfully implanted in monkeys formerly suffering from Parkinson's - we're next.

PD Monkeys: nature.com/news/reprogramme...

youtube.com/watch?v=J_U3YLg...(Not working as expected?)

[ChristyMeans]

My MD in Los Algodones Mexico near Yuma AZ USA uses embryonic human stem cells. He told me they are umbilical cord stem cells, not aborted fetuses. His cost is a $3K USD for the 1st treatment & $60 USD for "boosters." He said it's best to get the full stem cells again annually which would cost $3K at the most. I honestly don't know how he's making any money. He downplayed bone marrow stem cells from the patient themselves bc he said the cells are usually old and damaged once the patient needs help which makes total sense to me. Plus, it's much more expensive.

[ion_ion]

The science should go on and should not be blocked by religious beliefs as long as a life it is not destroyed. Sure, some people have principles as long as their loved ones do not need help. Otherwise they change their mind in a second. Hypocrisy!?