stem-cell research and cloning

[Leowind]

In the US, Congress just passed a bill banning the cloning of human embryos for the purpose of stem cell research or harvesting. I was wondering what folks here thought of stem cell research in general and the potential of cloning human embryos for such research in particular.

As I understand it, stem cells are harvested from a human embryo at a very early stage and thus have not differentiated yet (into lung cells or skin cells or whatever). Consequently, they hold great (as yet unseen?) potential for genetic research and potential cures of many diseases. The process of harvesting the cells kills the embryo, however. Up to now, what research in the area has been going on as been from "left over" embryos from fertility clinics. Some private companies are making plans to actually clone embryos for the purpose of stem cell harvest. This could actually be beneficial in providing a closer genetic match between the stem cells and the patient. If this law is upheld, such cloning and research would be halted.

Unfortunately, I'm going on vacation, so won't be able to participate in this discussion, so I'll post my *initial* views here: First, we should go cautiously. This is very new terrain for medical science, and is rife with ethical questions. We should not move too far ahead of where we've been able to answer some of those questions. Second, why are we so concerned about cloning human embryos? If we are worried about what it says about the uniqueness of human life, that cats already out of the bag simply because it can be done. Whether it actually is done or not is somewhat irrelevant. No one (at this point) is suggesting cloning humans, simply cloning embryos that would be destroyed in the process of harvesting stem cells. On an emotional level this seems abhorent, but on a scientific/medical level, it is simply tissue that has the potential to bring great good. Really, what is the difference between that and in vitro fertilization, in which many eggs are fertilized, but only some are implanted and only some of those actually result in a birth. What is the difference between an artificially fertilized embryo harvested for stem cells and an artificially created embryo harvested for stem cells?

 

[xeven_god_of_helsibahr]

I am a proud supporter of stem-cell research <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/goodwork.gif" border=0>.

Originally posted Leowind:
..On an emotional level this seems abhorent, but on a scientific/medical level, it is simply tissue that has the potential to bring great good...

I do not believe using the tissue from an embryo that is going to be destroyed any an abhorent thing. On any level. Be it emotional, scientific, or otherwise.

Originally posted Leowind:
Really, what is the difference between that and in vitro fertilization, in which many eggs are fertilized, but only some are implanted and only some of those actually result in a birth. What is the difference between an artificially fertilized embryo harvested for stem cells and an artificially created embryo harvested for stem cells?

I really believe there is no difference between a fertilized embryo and an aftificial embryo. I do not think it is anywhere near human cloning and I also believe that embryos do not have souls.

To quote a senator (Or scientist?):
"If we take one of my cheek cells and clone it, does it have a soul? If my cheek cell starts to divid in that peatry dish, does God say 'Quick, that man's cheek cell is dividing, give it a soul!'?"

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<IMG SRC="http://civfanatics.com/others/Xeven.gif" border=0>
"I believe Plato summed it up with two very good words: **** You" ~Joshua M. Swaner

[This message has been edited by xeven_god_of_helsibahr (edited August 01, 2001).]

 

[HIEROPHANT]

The government is probably doing the research in secret since it was banned. The us government is known to be sneakey.

 

[RallyK]

To quote a senator (Or scientist?):
"If we take one of my cheek cells and clone it, does it have a soul? If my cheek cell starts to divid in that peatry dish, does God say 'Quick, that man's cheek cell is dividing, give it a soul!'?"

Hmm... but since they have made a human from an artificial embryo would you argue that that boy has no soul. I doubt anybody would. So the question remains, when is the 'soul' created? Until that question is answered I see no problem in halting the research (even if that is forever).

My main problem is that I see it as a 'slippery slope'. Once this is done regularly and we have grown accustomed to it, how long will it be before we clone humans (for science or medicine ofcourse) or worse. Worse being banning sex and having all people born from petry dishes.

 

[Magnus]

Originally posted by RallyK:
Worse being banning sex and having all people born from petry dishes.

Leave it to the hedonist to debase the topic:

but the futher we remove the sex act from procreation, the more fun we will have. And in my opinion, a life without fun isn't really a living...

 

[Dogberry_Old]

Magnus.. could not disagree more. The purpose of the sex act is procreation not mere pleasure.. altho it is pleasurable. The further we remove it from it's original intent.. the more trouble that we get into as both a species & a culture. I used to believe that most could take their pleasure & enjoyment where they found it & still keep meaning & balance in their lives. My experiences have led me to believe that that was a false expectation.. people are just too selfish.

It would be nice if we all could find a happy middle between a sappy & restrictive moralism & shallow cynicism & debauchery, but I am afraid that we cannot. Not in this Age of the World .. at least.

As for stem-cell research & cloning embryos for the same.. I distrust it, but recognise why people want to move forward on it. If it pans out.. it is inevitable, especially if there is a lot of money involved.

It is one of the first of a whole host of things on the horizon that we will have to deal with.. in the coming years.


Dog