Which is better, Embryonic or Adult Stem Cell Research?

[classical_hero]

Which is better as in, which one has the greatest potential to cure disease and which one had done so already?

 

[CurtSibling]

Both - Dead people won't complain.

It is a reality anyway, and the Chinese are hardly going to stop their research.
If the USA turns taliban and stops science because of faith, people will go to China for treatment.

.

 

[Perfection]

Well, Embryonic stem cells offer more but adult stem cells have already made some practical applications.

 

[CurtSibling]

Why is there no 'Don't care for religious flamebait' poll option?


Moderator Action: Because you're the only one trying to turn this into a religious debate.

 

[Gabryel Karolin]

Embryonic stem cells obviously, they cant really be compared.

 

[farting bob]

Why is there no 'Don't care for religious flamebait' poll option?

That option would be welcome on many polls round here.
Anyway, i saw use both kinds as much as possible, its only a good thing.

 

[GenMarshall]

Adult Stems cells is much better. At least youre not killing fetuses in the research.

 

[Keirador]

which one has the greatest potential to cure disease

Very likely embryonic stem cells.

which one had done so already?

Unequivocally adult stem cells.

So you see, the question is somewhat flawed.
I voted adult, because it is only a possibility (an enormously likely possibility, but neverthelss NOT a fact) that embryonic stem cells have more potential, whereas it is fact that adult stem cells currently are more useful.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

Embryonic stem cells, in theory, have more possibilities. In practice, it remains to be seen if that extra bit of possibility gives them a real advantage over adult stem cells, in a practical sense.

As a pragmatist, I'd like to have both available. Flexibility is good for you.

 

[YNCS]

Not being a physiologist or biologist, I am not qualified to answer this question.

 

[Perfection]

Adult Stems cells is much better. At least youre not killing fetuses in the research.

You don't kill fetuses in embryonic stem cell research.

 

[GenMarshall]

You don't kill fetuses in embryonic stem cell research.

Where do you think embryonic stem cells come from? They come from fetuses. To get them would be to kill a living thing.

 

[Tomoyo]

Where do you think embryonic stem cells come from? They come from fetuses. To get them would be to kill a living thing.

Or take them from a dead living thing.

 

[farting bob]

Where do you think embryonic stem cells come from? They come from fetuses. To get them would be to kill a living thing.

A living thing that would otherwise die without serving any use? I think that a choice between letting a feotus die like that or be put to use in possibly curing some of the worlds biggest killers, it shouldnt be hard to decide which is best. Its not like that foetus has any potential of becoming a human, since its already aborted.

 

[{|}$~\]

They aren't fetuses. They are embryos.

 

[Perfection]

Where do you think embryonic stem cells come from?

Embryos

They come from fetuses.

No the don't

To get them would be to kill a living thing.

These are leftover IVF eggs they wouldn't have a life anyways. Besides, what's wrong with killing a living thing? I kill bugs every day.

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

Which is better as in, which one has the greatest potential to cure disease and which one had done so already?

These are two different questions with two different answers, but only one poll option. Bad setup.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Embryonic stem cells by far.

 

[blackheart]

This is just goading people into a certain train of thought and answer...

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

They are both useful. Adult stem cells have already seen great advances which could potentially cure serious diseases within one decade.

On the other hand, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have more potential. They are totipotent (can turn into any type of developed cell) whereas adult stem cells have already gone partially down the "tech tree" if you want to use that analogy. They are less flexible.

Embryonic stem cells come at no cost to society. There are plenty available from the leftover zygotes (fertilized cells) from in-vitro fertilization clinics. Using ESCs would not require abortions, and it wouldn't require extra fertilizations of egg cells.

Adult stem cells also come at no cost to society, obviously, since people volunteer or are paid to donate some of their cells.

Therefore, I say use both.