fetal stem cell research

[marcelsmum]

Hi I know this is a touchy subject and I don't want to offend anyone. I was just listening to a report on the radio the other day about stem cell research and It got me thinking. Does anyone know if research can only be done on aborted fetus's or can it be done on misscarried fetuses as well?

The reason I ask this is I misscarried almost a month ago:gloomy: , and although I was heartbroken and I miss my baby immensely it would have been also nice to have something good come out of It, I have watched my grandmother suffer through Altzheimers and my grandfther now has the early stages of Parkinsons disease and It would be wonderful if they could find a cure for either of these (and many more.) horrible diseases.

I am a Organ donor, So is my DP and god forbid if anything at all happened to my DS - I would also donate his organs. I am wondering if this is any different?

Let me know your opinions.

[Tea Lady]

I'm sorry to hear about your m/c marcelsmum :(
This is a very interesting Q and one I hadn't thought of. I would also have been happy to think that something good could have come from my m/c. I imagine there might be problems if the fetus had a genetic abnormality, and I suppose most women who are miscarrying aren't really in a fit state to decide about this sort of thing, so they might not want to ask. It would be good if they could do it though.

[Aynsley]

I am being awfully vague today, with vague thoughted posts...

But here goes on this one...

I thought (and I mean thought, I don't KNOW) but I was under the impression that stem cell research on 'babies' is so touchy because they are able to do it on conceived embryos, joined with IVF but not required for implantation. I am not sure though, but this was what I believe I heard.

[SassyMummy]

I, like Anysley, was under the impression that they were taken from embryos which were not implanted into women (as in, mixing an egg with a sperm, in a lab...and fiddling around with THAT).

Have no idea though.

To be honest, I'm perfectly fine with the idea of stem-cell research. I think do think it's a bit of a touchy subject like you said though...I would think that it's similar to an "abortion debate" type thing...

[Ana Gram]

There are several sources to obtain stem cells for research and one of those is aborted fetuses. Not sure on the current laws surrounding this though.

[Mister Noodle]

Okay, so people have strong feelings about abortion, and think it shouldn't happen. Fair enough, although I seriously disagree with them, I can see their point.

But, given that it happens, and even assuming that it's a bad and terrible thing - why would you turn around and insist that no good should come of it? Surely the worse you feel it is, the more you should be pushing for the silver lining to mitigate the harm?

We have the potential to save countless lives, cure the most terrible and crippling diseases - and yet people are outraged at the prospect of taking this advantage from procedures that are already happening anyway - they insist that this chance be literally thrown the drain, with no benefit to anyone at all. Because that makes the world a better place.

People make no sense to me, sometimes.

[CarolineF]

Okay, so people have strong feelings about abortion, and think it shouldn't happen. Fair enough, although I seriously disagree with them, I can see their point.

But, given that it happens, and even assuming that it's a bad and terrible thing - why would you turn around and insist that no good should come of it? Surely the worse you feel it is, the more you should be pushing for the silver lining to mitigate the harm?

We have the potential to save countless lives, cure the most terrible and crippling diseases - and yet people are outraged at the prospect of taking this advantage from procedures that are already happening anyway - they insist that this chance be literally thrown the drain, with no benefit to anyone at all. Because that makes the world a better place.

People make no sense to me, sometimes.

there is another side to this argument though Mister Noodle - the feeling against using foetuses for stem cell research is as a result of the fear that a trade in foetuses will appear that would per se be unethical and stick in some peoples craw. To some the thought that foetuses are being created purely for research is distasteful and distressing.

If foetuses are being used that were from miscarriages or abortions, I suspect that argument does not exist to the same degree, unless payment is forthcoming and then you can see a further ethical problem appearing.

[Mister Noodle]

Well yes, a trade in such would be grossly unethical.

However, you could say exactly the same for organ transplants. Why aren't there blanket bans on those, given the potential for abuse?

[mich71]

i was under the impesion that it had to do with the stem cells from the cord because they can mimic anything

[marcelsmum]

WOW- Thanks for your great responces,

I guess I was just wondering why they can't use Miscarried Feotus's as long as the consent is there,

As I mentioned I do not look at it as any different to organ donation.

Thanks

Kirsty

[Ana Gram]

Does nobody read my posts??:crying: I do actually know what I'm talking about even though I'm not as articulate as some.:D
Look up some New Scientist articles.

I read it don't worry. I think what people don't understand is the stage that is best to harvest stem cells. It is my understanding that umbillical stemcells are like getting adult stems cells through the bone marrow (which is an incerdibly painful process), it would be the same with a fetus. The fetus has already made a jump past the best stage for harvest. They need them at embryro stage don't they? Is any of that sounding about right?

[CarolineF]

My understanding, and I am no medic, is that the stem cells that are formed in an embryo can mimic other cells at will. Once they have decided what they are, as has happened in a foetus, those cells cannot be changed. Cord cells are like stem cells and can be used in treatment etc.

[Ana Gram]

The difference with umbilical stem cells is that they are less likely to be rejected than bone marrow or blood stem cells because they aren't as developed. But they are still not the same as getting embryotic stem cells.

[mich71]

i undestand what everyone is saying and i belive that cord stem cell reseach sould be aloud to help with treatment but and there is no way to police this but i dont belive in embryos being used that in my eyes is playing god

[pestiferous]

Well yes, a trade in such would be grossly unethical.

However, you could say exactly the same for organ transplants. Why aren't there blanket bans on those, given the potential for abuse?

Supply / demands provides a much higher market value meaning profit vastly outweighs the risk.

The powers that be know full well (only) severely impoverished persons / countries are being exploited and most people will do sweet FA to stop it.

Any woman with womb can supply the required product, should the laws be relaxed there would be no profit or control.

last but definitely not least, why CURE disease when you can make billions treating it?

[marcelsmum]

Oh Mrs Casper-
I am sorry - I too have a disabled child, :hugs: I think this is why I was wondering why a misscarried Feotus could not be used for research.

As I mentioned before I look at it in the same way as organ donation. It is neither an aborted feotus - (I understand that this is a little bit of a contentious issue.) or an specially made embryo (also a contentious issue).

I just would love to have been able to say yes I misscarried but at least my baby may have helped someone (or many people).
But obviously laws are preventing this:banghead:

[pestiferous]

Yes that is true. Why cure a disease when the pharmacies are making a big load of money from it. I am on the otherside where as I live with a child who could benefit from this research,

Gawd, i just re-read my post.

I don't , personally, think it is better to profit than cure. The comments were in condemnation of the pharmaceutical industries choke hold on research.

Want to cure an incurable disease ? offer a multi-billion dollar reward, immunity from prosecution or claim as well as lifelong protection to the first indivindual to find it. half the disease in the world would be eradicated within the year.:rolleyes: