Stem Cells - The most exciting/terrifying/awesome medical potential of our generation.

[Buffy]

Reports are that scientists have created stem cells from a source that doesn't require embryonic (from the Blastocyst) tissue.

Using some sort of scientific wizardry (read: science that no one but probably 100 people in the world really understand), scientists have taken human skin cells and reverted them to an embryonic state.

As someone who objects to the traditional form of harvesting stem cell for research on potential ethic/moral grounds, this seems like a very exciting development. I don't see any moral issues with this type of scientific research, and like others I'm very excited by the potential for stem cells research.

The enormous possibilities for new livers, lungs, spinal cords, etc. Potentially stem cells represent the cure for virtually every form of trauma, lost limbs, eyes, even brain matter. Drink your way through your liver? Take a pill and grow a new one!



Article from CNN/Time about the stem cell stuffs:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/health...html?hpt=hp_t3

[Tyche]

We're going to need male birth control ASAP for population control.

[Mazmaz]

So I don't get it. You gotta have a kid every time you want stem cells? It says skin cells from embryos?

[Buffy]

My reading of the article (which of course, could be flawed) was that these cells could be placed into an unfertilized donated (or purchased) egg from a woman to revert. This seems important because of the 'unfertilized' part, and they aren't fertilizing these eggs through this process.

Perhaps my reading comprehension skills are lacking?

[Mazmaz]

No but what I'm wondering is why he took skin cells from fetuses as opposed to just normal adult skin cells?

What I understand from this discovery is that, from now on, we could potentially gather skin cells from every fetus and store them in case of future need to clone stem cells for them, which seems like a pain in the ass.

[Correction]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly...tt69o1_500.png

[Silenka]

Oh neat, I know some scientists won the Nobel last year for proving that stem cells could be created from skin cells. It's nice to know that we have actually achieved this. And yes, it's very exciting... in its pure form. Who knows how long it will take to actually be converted into useful and tested remedies though. And I'm sure the drug companies that thrive on people being chronically sick are thrilled about the prospects of a miracle cure for stuff like diabetes, etc.

[Tarage]

Fund it.

[Aksannyi]

My main opposition to stem cell research has been the abortion facet of it. Take that away, and I really see no reason not to fund this research.

[Buffy]

My main opposition to stem cell research has been the abortion facet of it. Take that away, and I really see no reason not to fund this research.

Yah me too, and that seems like the point of this article. They appear to be able to take adult human skin cells, insert them into an unfertilized egg, and revert them to embryonic stem cells. At that point, the hypothesis goes, they in turn can be turned into anything else. Lungs, liver, whatever is needed. This seems like a really major breakthrough, I'm kinda surprised we haven't heard more about it. Maybe because its got no practical application yet.

[Mazmaz]

where did you get adult skin cell from though? the article says they took the skin cells of a fetus.

[Kohan]

My main opposition to stem cell research has been the abortion facet of it. Take that away

http://www.cirm.ca.gov/about-stem-ce...earch#Abortion

[Waraji]

http://www.cirm.ca.gov/about-stem-ce...earch#Abortion

Pretty much this. The whole argument against traditional stem cell research is based on the argument that "Life begins at conception." Something I'm sure the majority of the public being persuaded against, did/do not understand.

[Uzor]

This is pretty old news to an extent, though. In addition to this, they've also been working on converting skin cells in to sperm and egg cells. They've actually managed to do so for mice, and potential future usage would be to make two lesbians have a child that's genetically both of theirs. Or make a child that's the genetic offspring of two gay guys.

As for the whole stem cell debate; they haven't used aborted fetuses in, like, forever, if ever.

[Xajii]

stem cells are pretty much the only hope in my life that i will ever even have marginally normal vision so i don't care how many unborn babies are abused and fuck the people who do care. some of us are alive and need help here

[Blubbartron]

stem cells are pretty much the only hope in my life that i will ever even have marginally normal vision so i don't care how many unborn babies are abused and fuck the people who do care. some of us are alive and need help here

This, so much. Why people value the potential for human life over *ACTUAL* human life is beyond me.

[kuronosan]

This, so much. Why people value the potential for human life over *ACTUAL* human life is beyond me.

Because Jesus that's why now go and pray in church and give your money to the child fuckers.

[Charismatic]

This, so much. Why people value the potential for human life over *ACTUAL* human life is beyond me.

Well, maybe because we already know that you suck. Maybe those guys won't though.

[Ksandra]

What I understand from this discovery is that, from now on, we could potentially gather skin cells from every fetus and store them in case of future need to clone stem cells for them, which seems like a pain in the ass.

Don't worry, America always finds a way to make a fuckton of money off of it.

http://cordadvantage.com/product-comparison

[Penthesilea]

Oh neat, I know some scientists won the Nobel last year for proving that stem cells could be created from skin cells. It's nice to know that we have actually achieved this. And yes, it's very exciting... in its pure form. Who knows how long it will take to actually be converted into useful and tested remedies though. And I'm sure the drug companies that thrive on people being chronically sick are thrilled about the prospects of a miracle cure for stuff like diabetes, etc.

Don't think that it'd work that well for diabetes, given that it's an autoimmune disease and you'll still have your pancreas under attack.