Stupid question ... If Stem cell research is so promising...

... why aren't other countries way ahead of us and leading the way?

from JoeUser Forums

Stupid question of the day:

If Stem cell research is so promising, why aren't other countries [way] ahead of us [the U.S.A.] and leading the way?

In all honesty, I've had that discussion a bit with my wife and she mentioned that I must have missed some recent news flash that talked about some break thru research where scientists were able to replicate a body part thanks to some stem cell research.

Now, I should clarify things here a bit and point out that my question relates primarily to embryonic stem cell research, not so much adult stem cell research.  In case readers aren't aware, there really are no roadblocks or restraints on adult stem cell research in the U.S.A.

Let me repeat that: there really are no roadblocks or restraints on adult stem cell research in the U.S.A.

I might be ignorant of some restraints that some researchers would be crying about, but to the best of my knowledge, there really are no complaints about adult stem cell research.  The complaints come in over embryonic stem cells, and then the complaint is primarily over the definition of a life.  Pro-life supporters point to the embryos and belief that each represents a life and that each life should be respected.  Others point out that embryos are unfertilized cells that are not a viable life form in and of themselves.

Either way, the subject of embryonic stem cell research is a very touchy one here in the U.S.A., but is that the case elsewhere?

I ask those that feel that embryonic stem cell research is a turning point issue in the current elections to please speak up a bit and educate me here.  If you support embryonic stem cell research at all, please speak up here.  Tell me why you feel that the U.S.A. should be leading the way and why shouldn't we in the U.S.A. cede leadership to say France, Canada, Sweden, Germany or any other country in the world?  Are there restrictions in those other countries that are tougher than those here in the U.S.A.?  More money available there?  Less money available there, or something else?

Further, if embryonic stem cell research is so promising, can someone please tell me why we don't have large drug companies and other corporate interests involved in the fight lobbying hard for less restrictions and more research dollars to help line their pockets with?

I know, I'm full of questions today, hopefully not really that stupid.  Either way, please educate me as best you can, thanks!

politics
5,647 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
The space below reserved for intelligent commentary and replies
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I believe China was dabbling in it...but one of the scientists got fired for something...it was in Newsweek awhile back. If you'd like maybe you can Google it. Just something about China and stem cells...hopefully that turns up something.

~Zoo
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
From my understanding, and this is old news, but I was under the impression that Japan and the UK were lightyears ahead of us in using stemcell research for medical applications specifically fertilitity. Not sure if that is current. I recall it being news back when Superman did the walking commercial that aired during the superbowl. Was that even this century? Sorry but I dont know much about it.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
From my understanding, and this is old news, but I was under the impression that Japan and the UK were lightyears ahead of us in using stemcell research for medical applications specifically fertilitity. Not sure if that is current. I recall it being news back when Superman did the walking commercial that aired during the superbowl. Was that even this century? Sorry but I dont know much about it. One more thing, I think that adult stem cell research has advanced to the point that using the political wary embrionic ones are not necessary anymore.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am going to try and answer this from the standpoint of my disease ok?

Hope.. that is what it is all about.. it's a shot in the dark. A way to keep staying alive.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

I believe China was dabbling in it...

I think that was Korea (south) and he turned out to be falsifying his data.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think that was Korea (south) and he turned out to be falsifying his data.


Yep, you're right, Doc...found a story on it: Link

However, China has been studying it...and I think a few other Asian countries as well.

~Zoo
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

However, China has been studying it...

They probably stole their data from South Korea.

have some Chocolate.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
If Stem cell research is so promising, why aren't other countries [way] ahead of us [the U.S.A.] and leading the way?


If Stealth technology is so promising, why aren't other countries way out ahead of us and leading the way?

If nuclear weapons are so great, why aren't other countries way out ahead of us and leading the way?

Really, you could sit here all day doing this.

The question is misleading, because the amount of research, or money, or number of countries researching has absolutely nothing to do with the ultimate promise or effectiveness of anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if the ultimate answer is in the hands of some lone researcher who everyone considers a crackpot and no-one wants to listen to.


Here's some ammunition from which you can form a better argument: http://www.nccbuscc.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/obstacles51004.htm
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

The question is misleading, because the amount of research, or money, or number of countries researching has absolutely nothing to do with the ultimate promise or effectiveness of anything.

No, actually the question is very valid, it is your analogies that are misleading.  The things you talk about require a lot of other technologies and LOTS of money.  Stem cell is the beginning, not the end, of the research chain.  The examples you cite are the end of the chain.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have yet to have anyone explain to me where the certainty of embryonic stem cells having miraculous curative power comes from.

There have been no, repeat no, proven or reliable research coming from embryonic stem cells, while there are numerous cures and treatments in use today as a result of adult stem cell research. Everything I've read on embryonic stem cell research says they tend to be wildly erratic in growth and haven't proven to be reliable enough to show any stable patterns needed to design treatment programs.

My feeling is that most everyone is buying into embryonic stem cells as being the magic bullet with no knowledge whatsoever about their validity in curing disease; which at this point is a big fat zero.

Everyone seems to be arguing about how beautiful the Emperor's clothes are and the dude is stark naked folks!

No one seems to notice either that private drug companies aren't exactly chomping at the bit to research embryonic stem cells, but are kicking ass on adult stem cell research. 'Follow the money' usually works when it comes to private companies. If they can't make a profit (which means a viable product), they ain't going for it.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's simple, embryonic stem cell rhetoric satisfies those with a political agenda... adult stem cell research actually has a chance of helping find treatments for disease.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Gene Nash might not recall btw that Germany (back in WWII) was way out in front of us on Atomic Weapon research.  Japan has been ahead of the U.S. on many electronic technologies and continues to kick our butts at most chip technologies.  France was ahead of the U.S.A. in aids research and basically identified HIV before the U.S. did (or so it's been argued).

The U.S.A. doesn't have to be leaders at all, though we hear from many that want us to pour millions, if not billions, into research for these things because someone has talked up hope that we'll experience great benefits from it.

Let me try this analogy -- we could gain untold benefits from continued space exploration, especially manned space exploration.  We know this for a fact.  We gained nearly infinite benefits in our everyday lives from our past adventures there, and yet no one seems to have the stomach to increase NASA's budget.  A budget that is ridiculously small compared to the GDP.  A budget that should be at least double what it is currently, if not roughly 4 - 10 times bigger than it is if we wanted to get back to the glory days of NASA.  But are those benefits really there?  Will we really spend the money on it or will we instead chase dreams of growing cures from cells from unborn children?