Government Funding Stem Cell Research

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Julian Said:

what are the negative aspects of government funding stem cell research?

We Answered:

I assume you are refering to embryonic stem cell research, which has shown no real promise or potential of success and healing like some people would like you to believe.

The website below lists the various embryonic stem cell lines that have been studied by several groups for years now and without any hint of success.

Alexander Said:

could government funding for stem cell research help to find better cancer treatments?

We Answered:

Stem cell research could absolutely help improve cancer treatments, and because a large portion of medical research is government funded, government funding of stem cell research is critical.

Believe it or not, cancer cells actually have quite a bit in common with stem cells. As you probably already know, stem cells are undifferentiated cells, meaning they aren't any particular type of tissue, they're just cells that can turn into specific types. They basically look like generic cells. Skin cells are flat, neurons are long and kind of tree-like, but stem cells are just kind of blob-like. They look something like the pictures of generic cells you might have seen in biology textbooks (the ones where the show all the organelles, and the cell is just kind of a generic blog with no specialized structures). They can also keep dividing indefinitely, unlikely differentiated cells that can only divide so many times before the cell line just dies. They also tend to divide more quickly than normal cells, particularly if the produce cells that are in constant demand (for example, stem cells in the bone marrow produce blood cells, which constantly need to be replaced, and stem cells in the hair follicles produce hair cells, and hair is always growing).

Cancer cells are normal somatic cells that have, in a sense, undifferentiated. A cancer cell might have started out as a skin cell, but by the time it's in something that would be considered a tumor, it's barely recognizable as a skin cell, and is more of a generic blob. It can also keep dividing indefinitely.

Because cancer cells are so similar to stem cells, cancer treatments tend to destroy stem cells along with cancer cells. The reason that a patient's hair typically falls out during chemo is that the chemicals used to kill the cancer cells also kill the stem cells in the hair follicles. More problematic are the stem cells in the bone marrow. Those ones produce both red and white blood cells, which are pretty darned important. Cancer patients will often develop anemia (from too few red blood cells), and weakened immune systems (from too few white blood cells) during chemo, and may even need a bone marrow transplant.

Improved understanding of the physiological differences between stem cells and cancer cells would allow researchers to design cancer treatments that don't attack cancer cells. Also, improved understanding of the mechanisms of differentiation might lead to a better understanding of exactly what goes wrong in cancer cells (since they basically differentiated in reverse), which might lead to the ability to reverse the damage to the cell that caused it to become cancerous in the first place.

Raymond Said:

what are your views on Obama reversing the ban on government funding for stem cell research?

We Answered:

it's about time! finally, we're starting to go away with this middle-ages-mindedness that plagued us for the past 8 years. hopefully we can find some new cures for things. i sense a really good progressive movement coming on :)

Franklin Said:

What issues surround the devate over government funding of stem cell research?

We Answered:

Yes.
Bush though it should be funded by Companies and People who were going to get Rich off it.
Democrats believed that the Taxpayers should fund it.

It turned out to be pretty much of a HOAX, just like Al Gore and his Global Warming HOAX.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL!!!!!!!!
(Will Voters ever wise up to that????? No!!!!!!)

Hazel Said:

How do you feel on Obama's decision to lift the ban on government funding for stem cell research.?

We Answered:

I think it's about time. Those who opposed it seemed to choose an unborn clump of cells over a 3 year old girl with 3rd degree burns. Stem Cell can help her recover.

Eddie Said:

Why won't government fund stem cell research?

We Answered:

Now that stem cells can be derived from sources other than human embryos, your wish will probably come true.

Although I'm certain many Dems are disheartened that this could dash their wishes for abortion on demand...

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