Submitted by: Jon Searles(1,327) Jon Searles Log in to become a member of Jon Searles's Fan Club!
Most people have one of two primary opinions on human stem cell research. Opinion one agrees with all human stem cell research possible no matter what the direction and the other agrees as long as the stem cells are not harvested in the destruction of a human embryo the research is acceptable. The human embryotic stem cell is said to contain the best source for research since the cells may have the ability to differtiate into a wide variety of specialized tissues. The embryotic stem cell is the one that President Bush has been steadfastly opposed to since it results in the destruction of a fertilized egg which is strongly held as the beginning of human life by anti abortion circles.
Now, whatever your thoughts on human stem cells, you will be glad to know, in keeping with the human propencity to want more than two options, there are three other notable sources for stem cells. They are Chimera, Hybrid, and cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid). Think of each like ordering your favorite type of coffee, double caramel latte, double expresso, and mocha latte double decaf, all have coffee and are cleverly mixed with other things, just like the Chimera, Hybrid, and cybrid all contain human parts to the cell and are cleaverly mixed with animal cellular material. The Starbucks generation is staying up late looking for ways to make stem cells that they feel will cure Alziemers, Lou Gerigs Disease, Parkinsons, and other serious maladies. Scientists will look for all different ways to blend and package them.
A Chimera is formed when two species of embryos are merged, in our coffee house example we would use human and animal. A hybrid is the direct fertilization of an animal egg with human sperm which would elicite and entire monolog from Larry the Cable Guy (comedian). A Cybrid, a word I did not make up, is the injection of a human cell nucleus into an animal cell in which the nucleus has been removed. Now, no one is allowed to let these cells grow into anything, but what if they were feeling especially god-like and like Dr. Moreau wanted to see what would happen. The Island of Dr. Moreau was a novel written in the late 1800s by H.G. Wells who wrote many books that seem to lean toward prophecy. Laws of nature aside, could you imagine the discussion on which animal embryos to use to make specific combinations? In the south maybe we could make a pig that could also clean up their own pens, in the north a dairy cow that could milk themselves, and in the urban areas of New England, a dog that would carry its own plastic bag and know how to use it when on a walk.
Chimeras and Hybrids are specifically banned in most countries, just like heroin, cocaine, prostitution, child trafficing, and other illegal activities that all men respectfully avoid (at this point roll your eyes.) Cybrids were all but approved today in the UK and the US is considering allowing them. The cybrid is said to be 99.9% human after the nucleus is implanted and would only be used for stem cell harvesting and must be destroyed within a certain time (14 days). I know if I were only 99.9% human I would invest .1% from a species that would give me a little more hair and a little less butt. Flying would be cool too if you could fly with .1% difference.
Man can do many things, but sometimes we must question whether we should do them. Rules and laws exist for all types of ethical questions that are ignored everyday. Whether one calls it unethical or sin it is the misuse of our imaginations. Scientists may have compelling arguments to bend the rules to cure disease and I am not sure if my opinion would change if a close family member or I suffered from a disease that could be cured with this type of research. My only prediction is that science fiction may get a little closer to science fact in the near future. H.G. Wells wrote of the use of flying machines, a mans trip to the moon, a time machine, and an invisible man, all of which now have some basis in recent history and/or current scientific research. I cant wait to see Cheetah Boy and Rhino Boy on my grandsons high school football team but maybe we should just pray it never happens.
» left by susan thom from new jersey (301 days 6 hours ago.)
hi jon,
good article and very well written.
i am up in the air on this stem cell research, and have not had time to reasearch it further, and like you said, sometimes we don't know what we'd do if one of our children, or spouses, or loved ones needed a treatment that would save their lives.
my neighbor has Parkinson's, and is 71, and i feel so bad for him. if his disease isn't bothering him, his medications are. he shakes terribly. he won't come to dinner, even though he is alone, and we'd love to have him, because he can't keep his hands stilll while eating, and that embarrasses him. so, i still don't know where i stand, even though it would be nice to see this man live to be in his 80's or 90's, and living healthily and happily, but he was given 7 years to live, 10 years ago. very good topic.
thanks for the info,
best regards,
sue thom
Why is it that such a valid source of stem cells as the umbilical cord always seems to be overlooked? It does not require anyone or anything to die and occurs naturally with every human birth. The umbilical cord which is cut, removed and then most of the time discarded is a highly rich, safe and viable source of human stem cells and is well suited to most kinds of research.
More over, when used directly for cell transplants the umbilical stem cells are less prone to rejection probably because the cells have not yet developed the features that can be recognised and attacked by the recipient's immune system. In addition, the umbilical cord blood lacks well-developed immune cells and as such there is much less chance of these cells attacking the recipient's body (graft versus host disease).
There is so much that can be learned and gained from stem cell research and with a safe, viable alternative like the umbilical cord (which is simply thrown away anyway), for me, it's a very simple solution that does not require mixing of animal and human DNA, the ending of life or questionable moral choices.
» left by Jon Searles(1,327) Jon Searles (298 days 15 hours ago.)
Ben,
You are 100% correct and I agree with the use of the umbilical cord. I feel there are still so many viable stem cell lines that can be researched before we even need to look at those that cause serious ethical issues. Thank you for your comment. Respond to this comment
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