If stem cell research can be done without harming a single fetus, would you be for it or opposed to it? 90% of stem cells can come from an umbilical cord instead of an aborted fetus. That being said, do you still believe that it is immoral? Why?

Hi Cassandra,

I am not at all opposed to stem cell research when there is not an embryo (wanted or unwanted) involved. My sister donated (as an adult) and saved a woman's life (she was tested when her priest was dying of cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant... he died, but it caused other lives to be saved). My former step-dad also had his life saved by a heroic NY firefighter who donated resulting in a cure for his cancer. So the bottom line... I love to see lives saved as a result of technology that doesn't conflict with my convictions.

Having said that, I have *heard* that you cannot delay cord clamping and then collect and save cord blood, so I guess that would be my only opposition.

At my hospital it is possible to save cord blood for personal use (privately banked by the company of your choice, which I think is a rip-off personally) or DONATE it for a national bank of cord blood. We are the only hospital in my area that does it. Do any of you have hospitals in your area that accept unwanted cord blood for donation to a public bank? Do you encourage your students to do it if it's free? Why or why not?

There is a VERY important distinction that must be made here:
Stems cells from cord blood or bone marrow are NOT the same thing as embryonic stem cells!
The term "stem cell" simply means a cell that can develop into any on of a variety of cells as it matures, depending on factors surrounding it during development.
Cord blood stem cells and stem cells from bone marrow can only develop into the various types of BLOOD cells (White blood cells, red blood cells, and possibly platelets)
Embryonic stem cells can develop into any kind of tissue in the human body.
Therefore, one can't really be substituted for the other in research. Research that is done with embryonic stem cells cannot simply use cord blood instead.

[color="Navy"]100% against embryonic stem-cell research/harvesting, no matter what (and yes, I mean that!), but, like others have said, cord blood is a whole different animal.

There have been numerous studies that have revealed that the only successful stem cell "curing" cases (like Dani mentioned) have come from NON embryonic stem cells...there has not been a single documented case (at least not by this time last year) of an embryonic stem cell "curing" or being of any real health bennefit....in fact, studies have shown embryonic stem cells to mutate into cancer[/color]

I support stem cell research from 'adult' stem cells. [meaning] This is any stem cell harvested from a living person, such as cord blood, donor cells, etc. The research that I've heard tell of is very good concening such cells. I'm not a scientist and can't quote all of that lingo, but there have been plenty of successful stem cell transplants/cures from adult stem cells. I don't recall hearing about any from aborted tissue.
I'm just curious Cassandra, where did you get the idea that people would be opposed this kind of stem cell research?

I am FOR stem cell research no matter where it came from. Those cells are available due to issues other then needing them for research.

Anyways yes, they can delay cord clamping and still collect enough for banking.

I am against embryonic stem cell research and use but if it's any other stem cell that's OK and should be researched.

Exactly!!!
There is a great article about this on the last issue of "Compleate Mother".

It is hard to clearly demarcate the pros and cons of stem cell research. But the fact remains and no one can deny it, that stem cell research has ushered in, a significant development in the field of medical science. Stem cell research is certainly going to benefit the human race, even if there would be some who would try and exploit the darker side, or misuse its benefits. After all, you won't see the silver lining if there wasn't a dark cloud.

It is hard to clearly distinguish the pros and cons of stem cell research. But the fact remains and no one can deny it, that stem cell research has ushered in, a significant development in the field of medical science. Stem cell research is certainly going to benefit the human race, even if there would be some who would try and exploit the darker side, or misuse its benefits. After all, you won't see the silver lining if there wasn't a dark cloud.