NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I was at a seminar on stem cell research the other day, and there was a lecture about something I found very interesting. There is a decent amount of research going into the possiblity of obtaining stem cells from parthenotes. For those not well-versed in science, a parthenote is developed completly from the egg, with no male input whatsoever. Now, in amphibians, fish, etc., parthenotes can sometimes become fully developed organisms. However, in mammals, this does not occur - the embryo simply stops dividing on its own at a certain point. What is interesting is that, although these cells are abnormal at first, evidence is showing that after culturing them in the lab for a while, they can integrate quite normally.

I also know that much of the opposition to this research is based on the "it might one day become a human if you implant it and don't destroy it" argument. Many people are even against somatic nuclear transfer (where you take the DNA from one cell and put it in the egg and make it stop dividing) because they say the same thing. My question to those who oppose such research is this: would knowing that stem cells can be obtained from a parthenote which cannot develop fully change your mind?

Votes but no comments. =( Where are all the conservatives opposed to stem cell research? And what part is confusing so maybe I can try and explain? =)

I actually heard this a while back, and I think it's a great idea.

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?

yay, admitting defeat :P

While I am often labelled "right-wing" (I am centrist) I do not oppose stem cell research.
The use of parthenotes as a source of stem cells is also encouraging as it does take the argument about aborting a life out of the equation. I have no problem using "discarded" embryos from IVF procedures either but obviously some people have concerns with that.

Either way, the use of parthenotes is a good thing, in my opinion.

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?

yay, admitting defeat :P...*sigh* i guess so.

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?

Cool, glad you are willing to see things that way at least. But it doesn't really answer my question. Are you more comfortable with the idea of using parthenotes than aborted fetuses or clones?

yes that would be just fine with me. getting women to donate eggs would be no different from donating blood plasma

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?Raysia, I know how things like science pass you by, but you don't actually need to perform an abortion to get stem cells.

I'm wondering what's going on with umbilical stem cell research. A person's umbilical stem cells already contain his own DNA and can be harvested from all newborns starting yesterday and used eventually, when the science is ready, to grow organs of any kind.

I'm wondering what's going on with umbilical stem cell research. A person's umbilical stem cells already contain his own DNA and can be harvested from all newborns starting yesterday and used eventually, when the science is ready, to grow organs of any kind.

I don't know much about this, but I do know a few small facts.
(a) The umbilical cord stem cells do not have the same pluripotency as embryonic.

(b) There is no actual proof that you can keep such cells frozen for 30 years and then use them.

(c) Right now, freezing the umbilical cord is a procedure only available to the rich part of the population and those that do it make promises they can't necessarily keep. Sort of like the "freeze your head after you die" people.

I haven't read many papers on the subject yet - I am much more focused on bone marrow progenitors, but I am sure there is quite a bit of research currently going into this in animal subjects.

my view on the issue:

With the liberal presence today, we will NEVER abolish abortion... as much as conservatives like me want it gone. So how about we put thgese aborted fetuses to good use?

yay, admitting defeat :P...*sigh* i guess so.

OH HAPPY DAY!!

I wonder if it would be feasible, once stem cell breakthroughs change the face of medicine as we know it, to deny opponents of stem cell research treatments based on it?

Well as much as I think it is immoral and as much as I would like it banned the Liberals won't leave it alone and it isn't that big of a deal so I just say we allow it.

So, I was at a seminar on stem cell research the other day, and there was a lecture about something I found very interesting. There is a decent amount of research going into the possiblity of obtaining stem cells from parthenotes. For those not well-versed in science, a parthenote is developed completly from the egg, with no male input whatsoever. Now, in amphibians, fish, etc., parthenotes can sometimes become fully developed organisms. However, in mammals, this does not occur - the embryo simply stops dividing on its own at a certain point. What is interesting is that, although these cells are abnormal at first, evidence is showing that after culturing them in the lab for a while, they can integrate quite normally.

I also know that much of the opposition to this research is based on the "it might one day become a human if you implant it and don't destroy it" argument. Many people are even against somatic nuclear transfer (where you take the DNA from one cell and put it in the egg and make it stop dividing) because they say the same thing. My question to those who oppose such research is this: would knowing that stem cells can be obtained from a parthenote which cannot develop fully change your mind?

I'd want to look into the details, but parthenote-based stem-cell research would be, IMO, a whole different ethical ballgame from embryonic stem-cell research.
For the record, I'm opposed to any procedure that involves destroying a zygote, as I believe human life begins at fertilisation (DNA from sperm meets DNA from egg, new diploid cell nucleus forms). This makes me anti-abortion, against many types of fertility treatment, opposed to methods of contraception like the morning-after pill, though I'm fine with barrier methods, i.e. condoms (but still against extra-marital sex anyway).
Is a parthenote haploid or diploid? Not sure how the answer would affect my opinion, but it'd be nice to know.

this makes an extremely good point. This technology suggest saving lifes without destroying lifes before. I'm all for it.

I'd want to look into the details, but parthenote-based stem-cell research would be, IMO, a whole different ethical ballgame from embryonic stem-cell research.
For the record, I'm opposed to any procedure that involves destroying a zygote, as I believe human life begins at fertilisation (DNA from sperm meets DNA from egg, new diploid cell nucleus forms). This makes me anti-abortion, against many types of fertility treatment, opposed to methods of contraception like the morning-after pill, though I'm fine with barrier methods, i.e. condoms (but still against extra-marital sex anyway).
Is a parthenote haploid or diploid? Not sure how the answer would affect my opinion, but it'd be nice to know.

It's diploid. I may be mistaken, but I think they harvest the egg before it finishes meiosis, so it is still a diploid cell. Out of curiosity, since your opposition is specifically due to the idea of life starting at fertilization, what is your opinion on nuclear cell transfer? There is no fertilization step in that process either.