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Stem Cell Research and President George W. Bush

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 1:35 pm
by EMINEM
Anyone see him the other night announce his decision on stem cell research, or was everyone too busy getting creamed by the new and improved Demogorgon? In any case, he supports limited federal funding, meaning that scientists can go ahead with stem cell research under careful scrutiny. 'All in all, a pretty cautious ruling, given the ethical and political repercussions had he gone with the hardline groups on both ends of the spectrum.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 1:41 pm
by Aegis
So it just means less beer drinkning and parties for those "hard working" scientists...

:D

Oh, and then there's C E..

:rolleyes:

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:08 pm
by EMINEM
C E?

Chaotic Evil? C Elegans? Please clarify...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:10 pm
by Nippy
I apologise for seeming like an ignoramus but what is Stem research? :)

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:16 pm
by ThorinOakensfield
Stem cell research- research on stem cells. Seriousley its research on cloning or soemthing like that. I haven't being paying too much attetion to it.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:17 pm
by Aegis
@Eminem: C Elegans... That should be a given by now...

:rolleyes:

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:23 pm
by EMINEM
Stem Cell Research - plenty of sites on the Internet concerning this subject, and I'd gladly create a relevant hyperlink for you to browse if I knew how to do it.

C Elegans, of course! How could be be stupid? Anyone know where she's been? I haven't heard of her in a while, and I miss the heated discussions we frequently have...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:23 pm
by EMINEM
Stem Cell Research - plenty of sites on the Internet concerning this subject, and I'd gladly create a relevant hyperlink for you to browse if I knew how to do it.

C Elegans, of course! How could be be stupid? Anyone know where she's been? I haven't heard of her in a while, and I miss the heated discussions we frequently have...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 3:30 pm
by Nippy
Eminem if you want to create a link to a site click on URL (the grey box in the middle of the screen just lower down than the entry box) and type in the address or have a copy of it. Put it in and hit return, then in the next box type what you want to call the link, like for example "Stem Cell research".

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:04 pm
by EMINEM
[url="http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/primer.htm"]web page[/url]

Thanks! I just hope this works...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:05 pm
by EMINEM
Yes! It works! It works! Woohooo! I'm king of the world!

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:07 pm
by rapier
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com"]Me tooooooo!!!!![/url]

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:22 pm
by leedogg
Personally, They were gonna do the research anyway(somewhere,somehow), so he might as well let them go. The way i look at it, until they start recreating people(which they will or have :eek: ) i think it can only help. I saw Micheal J Fox and Christopher Reeves preachin for it, so hey, if Superman is for it we all should be. :D :rolleyes:

[ 08-11-2001: Message edited by: leedogg ]

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:31 pm
by Azeroth
I wish Bush would have given his full support towards stem cell research but there is the issue of moralty. The way I look at it that is just a feeble excuse. We (Americans in general) aren't really the pinnacle of morality now are we? I think it is more immoral to let someone die of alzheimers or parkinsons because you are to hesitant to go through with the research. Ahh, enough ranting and raving for now, it is time that I speak with Katie...........

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 4:45 pm
by Fezek
My patrner and I watched hisnspeech live whilst eating breakfast. Quite thought provoking. I have to admit after reading about the recount thing in Florida we both thought he would support stem cell research. It was quite a well thought out plan, given the politcal backdrop in the US.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 5:27 pm
by Aegis
I don't much faith into government anymore these days. So, I no longer care what politicians say. If it's good, I'll learn about. It's not, I'll hear about it. Either way, If I don't care, I'm still gonna find out...

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 8:31 pm
by Azeroth
@Aegis You make a good point my friend, methinks you are smarter than the average bear.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 8:55 pm
by Aegis
That I am!

*Eats from a stolen picinic basket*

:D

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 8:04 am
by C Elegans
Originally posted by EMINEM:
<STRONG>C Elegans, of course! How could be be stupid? Anyone know where she's been? I haven't heard of her in a while, and I miss the heated discussions we frequently have...</STRONG>
You called? Sorry I've been away for a while, my lab just opened after a long shut down due to equipment change, so I've been overloaded with work. I'll soon return to spamming and our debates :)

Regarding stem cell research: I have a fairly good insight in the area, and like genetic engineering and some other research areas, I think there are many difficult ethical considerations and some very controversial consequences. The same tools that will give us poosiblilty to treat or cure diseases that cause much suffering, will also give us the possibility to change and control other fundamental life processes. We humans have a sad tendency to misuse many of our great discoveries :( International ethic guidelines, the same all over the world, are needed IMO.

Did any of you hear the news from the recent stem cell research congress? Some researchers made the very controversial statement that they are going to start human cloning projects based in a few countries that does not (yet) have laws against it.

Do you remember the controversial Italian technique that made pregnancy possible for 60+ year old women some years ago? The use of this in vitro fertilisation methcod combined with the cloning method used for Dolly (the sheep) is now going to give women who can't have children the possiblility to get a cloned child. Need I say that the stem cell research community in general find this idea outrageous...

Is infertility really a disease at all? Does it cause so much suffering for the individual so that bending the limits of the international agreements, is really motivated? What about the cloned individuals? What will happen to them? The technique used for Dolly made her lack some structures that for instance cause premature aging. I certainly don't think we know enough about cloning to start making human indivuals this way. Oh, I could go on and on for 10 pages about this.

(A side note: Isn't it sort of strange that the IVF methods for making postmenopausal women pregnant was invented and used exclusively in Italy, the Mother country of the catholic church?)

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 8:23 am
by C Elegans
EDIT: WTF did I do :mad: My brain is like a sponge for washing your car today :mad: - too *sigh*

A PS to my last post: For all you who haven't followed the stem cell and human cloning issue - the step between stem cell research and human cloning as a possible consequence, is very large. Stem cell research, including embryoic stem cells research, can be explored and used to find treatments for severe disorders like neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, without starting to clone people.

[ 08-13-2001: Message edited by: C Elegans ]