Stem Cell research questions
Posted on August 20th, 2004 in General, Stem Cell Research by tavaresforby ||
I was commented by my Kerry misleading the public on Bush funding ESC post and some really good questions were asked. So I decided to post the question and answers.
If embryonic stem cell research holds so much potential to cure all that ails humanity why aren’t private companies willing to put their own money into the research? Why all the clamouring for government money?
Samantha, for your first question, I would like to state that there is still a lot unknown about stem cell research. Therefore, at this time it is very risky for the private sector. The theory of stem cell research is promising. That is why so much focus is on federal funding. Federal funding can boost research for quicker results. Let me ask you this, did the private sector get us to the moon? No, federal funding did. Also, here is a good article about the private sector funding stem cell research.
Why do people rarely make the distinction between embryonic stem cells and adult stems?
People do make distinction between the two. My article about stem cell research explains the pros and cons of both embryonic and adult stem cell. Kerry is making the distinction by saying President George Bush is banning embryonic stem cell research.
From what I’ve read adult stem cells are much more reliable and they don’t stir up the ethical dilemma that using embryonic stem cells does.
True, adult stem cell research is much more reliable because there is no rejection to the immune system. But adult stem cell is not as promising as embryonic stem cell. Embryonic stem cell can evolve in to any type of cell where as adult stem cell are limited to which kind of cell it can evolve to. My stem cell article explains this.
Another question, can stem cell research really deliver on all that has been promised?
This is still in the making. Like any other science revolution, it starts by either theory or being stumbled over.
Samantha, these were some really good questions and I hope I answered all of them.
August 20th, 2004 at 1:18 pm
You cant use the moon example to rebut the private sector argument. The reason being there was NO compelling reason for the private sector to get into going to the moon, no money to be made, so the federal government had to fund it, or it wouldnt go anywhere, HOWEVER, with STem Cell Research there is HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO BE MADE *if* the predictions turn out to be true, so the fact that they are still reluctant to enter, is a clear indicator that even the non-partisan market doesnt believe all the hype.
August 20th, 2004 at 1:59 pm
I can make this assumption. The private sector can make money off of the technology from going to the moon. For example, all of the satellite companies like Boeing and Direct TV. The same technology that was used to go the moon is the same technology is used to put these satellites into orbit.
February 21st, 2005 at 12:21 am
Tavares, you are wrong about adult stem cell research not showing promise. In fact, recently the stem cells derived from umbilical cord have demonstrated pluripotency never before thought to exist in adult stem cells. It might surprise you to know that while there have been NO therapies for humans created as a result of embryonic stem cell research, adult stem cell therapies have already been in use to successfully treat over 56 different diseases.