Foetus, the new Botox!

[EdCase]

To be fair, this is how every major medical innovation works. A few rich people get extended lives by passing on small fortunes to a small group of doctors.

Overtime, though, the therapies become better understood and streamlined, and more available to the common man. So, while it seems unfair now, these types of efforts lead to widespread benefits in a decade or so.

Indeed.. do not see any mention of it curing anything, You don't have to be old to die.
At best its a waste of valuable commodity for serious research. At worst it is simply a modern snake oil.

 

[emzie]

It's unlikely people will be paid to have abortions. They are very common, and will continue to be so for a long time.

Well someone is being paid for them. Are the abortions free under these terms? Is the clinic just ripping these women off? Are they being donated (so someone can make a profit?) Foetuses don't pop out of the air.

I have a question for anyone who knows enough about genetics: wouldn't a foreign stem cell be killed by the body's white blood cells?

 

[uggabugga]

I have a question for anyone who knows enough about genetics: wouldn't a foreign stem cell be killed by the body's white blood cells?

yes. these cells would be MHC-incompatible with the recipient, which means the recipient would face a lifetime of toxic treatments with anti-rejection drugs, which might or might not work.

 

[Cuivienen]

I have a question for anyone who knows enough about genetics: wouldn't a foreign stem cell be killed by the body's white blood cells?

They don't have identifying antigens yet. (I'm not a biologist, but I'm pretty sure that that's correct.)

 

[TheBladeRoden]

I could have you told that the secret to living forever is to find a way to suck the youth out of the young.

 

[amadeus]

I'm not scientifically minded here, but isn't it possible that the AIDS virus could be transmitted through this?

 

[unscratchedfoot]

The article says "Anti-ageing stem-cell injections made from aborted foetal tissue" does it not? and where do you think thoes fetuses comes from? They come from abortions, not some magical tree


I am sorry, but I have as much right to say my opinions on this matter as much as anyone else. If you have the right to say and express your opinions, why cant I?

"Straighten up your own act before whining about the world, or if thats too much, wear blindfold, zip your mouth, and live in a cave." - Major Motoko Kusanagi

 

[Perfection]

I'm not scientifically minded here, but isn't it possible that the AIDS virus could be transmitted through this?

Probobly not, HIV doesn't easily transmit that easy in the interuterine environment (only 1 in 4 transmit it throught the entire pregnancy). Given the earliness of the abortions, I doubt AIDS would be a significant concern.

Still, I wouldn't call the practice safe.

 

[El_Machinae]

Well someone is being paid for them. Are the abortions free under these terms? Is the clinic just ripping these women off? Are they being donated (so someone can make a profit?) Foetuses don't pop out of the air.

I have a question for anyone who knows enough about genetics: wouldn't a foreign stem cell be killed by the body's white blood cells?

The legality of cell donation are a little bit complicated. However, it is possible for a woman to donate her rejected tissues to research. More women do this than most would expect.

The women are certainly not being paid, but chances are they are being subsidized. However, since the price of an abortion is unlikely to change based on whether you donate or not (expecially in Western Countries, where it would be illegal) - at the worst, these donations are subsidizing all abortions.

With regards to rejection - the recipient would receive cells that are MHC compatible (for similiar reasons, you don't have to worry about blood transfusion - there are enough donors to find your 'type' rather easily)