Why are so many people still against stem cell research?
87367
Lots of people just resist any new ideas......just because..(they will find an excuse).\nStem cells research could benefit so many people !
900029
I don't know - nor will we ever truly know unless the research is done.\n\nEven if there is a remote chance that the possibilities suggested for stem cell research will come about, this research has to be carried out - the potential for saving human life and removing some horrible complaints is stunning.\n\nAnyone who understands the first thing about it must support the research. Only the ignorant oppose it.
381101
"Adult" stem cells can be isolated from tissues in living people, however these cells are not considered "pluripotent", meaning they cannot become ANY cell but are confined to generation of a single tissue, etc.  For example, the reason that bone marrow transplantation works to treat diseases like leukemia is because blood stem cells in the marrow are able to regenerate the spectrum of blood cells in a chemotherapy patient.  There is little ethical concern for these types of stem cells and government funding is available.\n\nPluripotent (or "embryonic") stem cells, as their name suggests, must be collected from embryonic tissue, such as a fertilized blastocyst, and currently this involves destroying the embryo.  Aborted fetal tissues, particularly late-term, are not good sources of embryonic cells, since many of these cells have already differentiated into tissue-specific stem cells.  Thus, researchers have tended to use discarded eggs from fertility clinics that have been kept frozen at the blastocyst stage.\n\nRegardless, this is where the moral delemma begins.  Since many people believe that life begins at conception, this fertilized blastocyst is a human and destroying it is therefore murder.  Based on this argument, the US government has halted funding of research to create new embryonic stem cell lines, but will allow researchers to use cell lines generated by this method prior to the government's decision.  This leaves a handful of available lines, each of which has its own limitations technically or experimentally.\n\nThe flaw in this argument, in my view, is that fertility clinics are allowed to dispose of frozen eggs with the consent of the donors (often following successful IVF treatment), but these same cells cannot be used by doctors for legitimate medical research purposes, even with consent of the donors, without their destruction being labeled "murder".
73516
What bothers me more is that so many are pushing for Fetal Stem Cells, and not Umbilical Stem Cells.\n\nUmbilical Stem Cells are benificial, and do not carry any of the stigma of the Fetal Stem Cells.  And at this time, they are simply thrown away.\n\nI would like to see more research on Umbilical Stem Cells.  Once the techniques are perfected, then Fetal ones can be looked at for the problems that Umbilical Stem Cells can not cure.
814963
Yes.  Governments fund all sorts of medical research projects as it is, so why not allow stem cell research to be a part of that?   \n\nIf you say "no" to stem cell research funded by governments because of tax money being spent as the issue (and not an objection because of moral grounds), then you should just say "no" to all research medical research by governments.  In this case, the issue appears to be that taxes should not be used for government funded medical research.  I think it extremely short-sighted.
1114837
there is no reason to be opposed to stem-cell research. conservatives are stupid about that. people are going to get abortions anyway, so they might as well be used to help find cures to diseases. and as to the oil, the only reason we're still in iraq is to get more oil for george bush's daddy's company. another selfish move by a dumb conservative.
991356
The Christian community does not worry about stem cell research, we worry about babies being murdered to save adults.  Since it is hard to control what goes on in private labs once this activity is started, it is best to stay clear of launching into this practice.
1063970
Its more of misinformation. Unfortunately people assume that we can only get stem cells from aborted fetuses; the blatently ignore the fact that you can remove embryonic stem cells with out hurting the fetus.\n\nIts stupidity.
227872
Stem cells are little cells that babies have to form their organs. They can be made into whatever cell you need basically. Stem cell implantation is a handy little thing that transfers embryonic cells (like the kind you had when you were first convieved) into basically whatever kind of adult cell that you need. (It could be a kidney, heart, lung etc..) Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with that, but there are people why believe that it is inhumane. Stem cells can be taken out of the mothers umbilical cord, and also when women get their tubes tied we want to use the rest of their eggs for stem cell research. Some people say that this is murder in itself and should be banned, but they probably know nothing about it. Stem cells could save lifes of many people. (people that have diseases such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Diabetes, etc..)
747441
as with all new scientific advances there'll be some resistance to it until it proves itself to the community\n\nfor stem cell research: life vs. death (err, is the embryo where the cells are taken from alive or not) and the worry about future cloning of individuals from these harvested stem cells
551087
That bunch of cells could instrumental in saving millions of lives,stem cell research.\nWhat about my right to live?.The best medicine should be available to every body, but perhaps procedures/treatments that arise from stem cell research could be optional.\ni.e.'Miss smith you have cancer we can cure it, but the treatment comes from stem cell research.Would you like the treatment or would you prefer to die painfully?,and would you like frys with that?.
1012455
Many people have different views on embryonic stem cell research, however, religion as a whole strongly opposes it, due to the necessity of destroying living embryos which, in essence, is a living being *(and killing them would ultimately be considered murder.)\n*last part is optional
22799
I am for it. Esp if it can help cure diseases that we can not prevent with any other alternative method. Why wouldnt anyone want to spend more time with the ones they love. I do understand that stem cells come from aborted fetuses. But if we can use the stem cells that are collected to better help everyone then we should do what we can with what we have. But lets not start creating abortions to just harvest stem cell. I am healthy.
889100
I doubt there are many stem cell researchers reading your question. You would need to checkout recent articles and news stories on the subject.
711160
A stem cell is a basic cell that hasn't quite decided what to become yet.  It is like a cell on standby waiting for orders from the body.  Once the cell gets orders, it goes where it is needed and becomes whatever type of cell the body needs.\n\nWhen a fetus is developing, stem cells become whatever the infant needs based on the DNA code that the mother and father provide.  They become the bones, organs, muscles, brain, hair, etc.  Later in life, stem cells work to repair damage to the body such as bone breaks, cuts, torn ligaments, etc.  This does not mean that aborted fetuses are the primary source of stem cells; it's just one of the most visible ways of seeing how stem cells are used.\n\nMost of the advancements in stem cell research are actually being done with bone-marrow or umbilical cords.  By getting stem cells from adults or umbilical cords, no infants or fetuses need to be harmed.\n\nThe applications of the research are vast.  Scientist hope to be able to repair damaged nerves to cure blindness, deafness and crippling injuries.  There are also ways of using stem cells to stunt the growth of cancers or repair damage to organs.\n\nI hope that was elementary enough.  Stem cell research is really not as bad as everyone makes it seem.  Think about it--if we can cure breast cancer without harming a single child (born or unborn), isn't it worth considering?
326198
Where do you live?\nThe US are currently being held back a bit in terms of research by the Government's conservative posture, meaning that no federal money is being put into controversial technologies such as stem cell research. A lot of researchers are going to Europe instead, seemingly opportunities there are growing.\nThere's probably still a lot of money in biology in the US, though. But it's decreasing.
509707
What the crap? You think someone is holding back the cure for those diseases so the government can make more money. You are an idiot! It's my prediction that when there is a cure for aids and cancer, then that's when the world will end. \n\nI do agree with you about abortion. It is wrong. So is stem cell research. It's all wrong. Bottom line.