Scientists see breakthrough in research on stem cells

Boston Globe ^ | 2/10/2003 | Maggie Fox

[RJCogburn]

Scientists said yesterday that they had, for the first time genetically manipulated human stem cells, a first step towards making the body's so-called master cells into a useful tool.

Using the method that made the laboratory mouse so valuable to genetic researchers, the team at the University of Wisconsin deleted a disease gene from human embryonic stem cells.

[RJCogburn]

Hooray for science. We will not know the answers unless we look.

[Endeavor]

Yeah, hooray even if we kill the unborn to get such information. NOT.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"Hooray for science. We will not know the answers unless we look."

-- Josef Mengele

[MarketR]

''It allows us to manipulate every part of the human genome that we want,'' Zwaka, a German-born medical doctor and molecular biologist, said in a telephone interview.

I don't know about you, but this sentence sent a shiver down my spine.

I only hope we have the collective wisdom to understand what we are dealing with here.

[new cruelty]

Good topic. Thanks for posting it.

[realpatriot71]

The genes that cause the body's immune system to reject foreign tissue could be removed.

Nice

[OmegaMan]

While bills to ban it are bottled up in the Senate, research and breakthroughs will continue. I'm beggining to feel confident that those opposed to this important life-saving technology will fail to stop it, even with the President's aid. The Brownback Bill seems dead to me. And individual states like Calif and NJ are moving ahead on their own. I think the train has left the station and will be almost impossible to stop. Thanks for posting that. Very good news.

[Desdemona]

ping

[cdefreese]

They are taken from very early embryos left over from couples' attempts to have test-tube babies at fertility clinics.

So I guess if they just throw them away instead of putting them to good use to study and possibly cure many ailments is ok. I seriously doubt that they keep these fertilized embryos around after the mothers have them 'inserted' and do not need or want the others.

[toast]

"the cells that die in type-I diabetes"

When? How soon?

We keep telling our 7 yr old son they'll cure it before he's 20. Be great if it was sooner rather than later.

[Psalm 73]

"...those opposed to this important life-saving technology..."

A life is sacrificed for that technology, which makes the phrase "life-saving technology" an oxymorn.

[APBaer]

"They are taken from very early embryos left over from couples' attempts to have test-tube babies at fertility clinics."

They're left over and otherwise are going into the garbage,
it is reasonable to get some benefit for others.

[toast]

"A life is sacrificed for that technology"

A few cells are sacrificed so people, like my son, may live. At the stage of development we're talking about, there is no cell differentiation. There are no bone cells, no heart cells, and no brain cells. If there are no brain cells, there is life and it is human, but it is not yet a human being. The human brain is what makes us different than animals. If there is no brain it is no different than a few cells reproducing on the end of your nose.

After 2 weeks, when differentiation has started, its a different story.

[Sacajaweau]

I'm 60 now. I remember thirty years back, a doctor friend saying we will be able to eradicate bad genes very soon. he implied selective breeding.

Doesn't quite look like that's what the REAL intention is. They're looking for a PARTS factory.

In the next couple of generations, we may be looking at gene testing of every baby born, a diagnosis and playing with every child's genes.

[Aracelis]

Of interest...

[RJCogburn]

A few cells are sacrificed so people, like my son, may live.

The bioluddites would prevent that, but there is no stopping the research now. Will it succeed? Who knows, that's why we do the research - to find out.

The best to your son, and to you.

[hopespringseternal]

If there is no brain it is no different than a few cells reproducing on the end of your nose.

The train of illogic you people use leaves me underwhelmed. So at what magical moment surrounding the two week mark does the (insert whatever euphemistic term you currently use to describe IT) suddenly become a human being? When the first dedicated brain cell appears? The second, fourth, eighth?

[toast]

So at what magical moment surrounding the two week mark does the (IT) suddenly become a human being? When the first dedicated brain cell appears? The second, fourth, eighth?

To avoid the argument of what stage of development it is a human - when the first appears.

Since it is not practical to measure how many brain cells there are - after 2 weeks of development.

[hopespringseternal]

To avoid the argument of what stage of development it is a human - when the first appears.

On what day is that? How much cognitive function do you suppose that first brain cell has?

Or do you suppose that your date is just as arbitrary and undefined as any other along the timeline of fetal development, chosen merely for your own convenience?

[toast]

I read it someplace. I didn't make it up.

14 days is when the cells begin to differentiate. It is a measured time. That time may be slightly different for each individual embryo but it is definite there is no brain function.

I read that there are some researchers that don't like to work with embryo's past this age because even they worry about these things.