OT: Stem cell hope.

[RutgersNJ]

 

[RULoyal]

 

[mdk02]

Here's hoping.

 

[CatManTrue]

Amazing science benefitting patients who desperately need medical innovations.

 

[iReC89]

Great news - also good that they made progress with stem cells derived from adults. The US blocked certain types of fetal stem cell research again last week.

 

[RU#1fan]

Great news - also good that they made progress with stem cells derived from adults. The US blocked certain types of fetal stem cell research again last week.

Why?

 

[MrsScrew]

Why?

because the fetal cells were coming from elective abortions, which the administration staunchly opposes.

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-bars-research-using-human-fetal-tissue-from-elective-abortions.html

 

[mdk02]

Why?

Because whenever your view is on the politics this is a step forward

 

[Caliknight]

because the fetal cells were coming from elective abortions, which the administration staunchly opposes.

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-bars-research-using-human-fetal-tissue-from-elective-abortions.html

Exactly. They aren't demonic.

 

[Caliknight]

Stem cells are worth the risk for people who can't walk obviously, but I'd be very careful if you are considering for something like a bad or herniated disc. I've heard some real horror stories.

 

[RU#1fan]

because the fetal cells were coming from elective abortions, which the administration staunchly opposes.

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-bars-research-using-human-fetal-tissue-from-elective-abortions.html

Well that’s too bad. We will fall behind the rest of the modern world in this break through treatment.

 

[RU05]

Great news - also good that they made progress with stem cells derived from adults. The US blocked certain types of fetal stem cell research again last week.

Isn't there a strain of stem cells out there from an abortion from like 30 years ago or something?

 

[LeapinLou]

How wonderful it would be to see Eric LeGrand on his feet someday. Great to see this advance.

 

[RUInsanityToo]

Well that’s too bad. We will fall behind the rest of the modern world in this break through treatment.

There's a difference between fetal and embryonic stem cells (which do not typically come from abortions - rather they generally come from the IVF process of embryos that have been tagged to be discarded). Also there's been advancements in using reprogrammed adult stem cells (often from skin) to act like embryonic cells.

 

[iReC89]

Isn't there a strain of stem cells out there from an abortion from like 30 years ago or something?

I'm not an expert, but yes. The ban is on tissue from elective abortions and older cell lines can still be used but there is research value in the banned sources. The science is still very new. There are advantages and disadvantages of each type. Cells derived from adults and modified can be more targeted and less rejected, but they are less genetically stable, harder to isolate and more limited in what they can become. Fetal cells are not perfected either and can lead to tumors. As long as people aren't pursuing abortions for the sake of stem cells I see this material the same as any other cadaver material used in medicine, which people don't seem to get excited about regardless of cause of death.

 

[Caliknight]

Well that’s too bad. We will fall behind the rest of the modern world in this break through treatment.

No we won't. And aren't.

 

[MADHAT1]

No we won't. And aren't.

Despite many people feeling the USA is falling behind in Stem Cell research due to the government restrictions placed on it, the USA is still considered the leader in that field.
As for stem cell treatment, the US is also considered the top place to get it , but procedures in the U.S. are often, 80% higher in cost compared to Mexico and other countries with less restrictive stem cell laws.
Also the quality of medical care in those countries might not meet the medical standards set in the USA