Hatrack River Forum: Stem Cells Need Not Be Embryonic.

This is topic Stem Cells Need Not Be Embryonic. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :

I found this little article interesting today.

(click it)

Well. With all of the controversy over stem cell research, I hope that this quells some moral objections.

Yeah Science!

Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :

Count me in on "yeah science"!

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

They can add that to adults stem cells from bone marrow, and a few other places.

But embryonic stem cells are still the best. And the arguments won't go away, sorry to say.

Posted by AntiCool (Member # 7386) on :

I think they will eventually.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Umbilical cord blood is another rich source of stem cells, and is readily available and easy to collect - requires no invasive procedures for either mom or baby.

I would gladly have donated the umbilical cord blood from my births if I had been able to.

Research using adult stem cells and embryonic cells from cord blood gets no argument from me. I'm all for it - and I hope researchers are indeed successful in finding cures to diseases. There are ways to do it that don't touch on any of the ethical issues with fetal tissue.

So, yeah science - best of luck!

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :

Fat tissue is also a rich source of stem cells, because you have to grow new vessels to feed new fat cells.

And yeah, I've always been eager for them to develop non-embryonic stem cell stuff. But embryonic stem cells are apparently the only sort that show any potential for generating organs/tissues other than the ones they come from.

Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :

quote:
Fat tissue is also a rich source of stem cells, because you have to grow new vessels to feed new fat cells.

Where's the research lab for this? I'd like to make a large donation of cells.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

The problem is that only embryonic cells have the ability to mutate into any other form of cell, which is why they are so invaluable.

Kwea

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

quote:
The problem is that only embryonic cells have the ability to mutate into any other form of cell, which is why they are so invaluable.

This is not entirely true, Kwea. It seems every few months there are advances in the plasticity of adult stem cells. Indeed, Catherine Verfaillie reported that she had isolated adult stem cells that had true plasticity in 2002. However, 3 years later her data has yet to be confirmed and I remain skeptical.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

quote:
Fat tissue is also a rich source of stem cells, because you have to grow new vessels to feed new fat cells.

I volunteer all my fat tissue in the name of science.

Come and get it.

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

I'll get the big needle.

Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :

quote:
Fat tissue is also a rich source of stem cells, because you have to grow new vessels to feed new fat cells.

If this turns out to be a good source, America will once again be a land of abundance. [Big Grin]