Can someone please explain to me what stem cell research is all about and how it works. Please explain it as easy and understandable as you can. Thanks!
120218
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. Therefore, people are eager to use such cells for the better of people; there is controversy  though, because certain scientists wish to use unborn fetuses from abortions.
135645
You answered your own question about stem cell research. I encourage you to learn more. \n\nRegarding replacing animal testing, you are comparing 2 completely different things. A stem cell is a cell. It has the functionality of a cell. It is unique because it can be treated with a variety of biochemical processes to cause it to differentiate, but it will never function as a whole living system. \n\nWhen a vaccine is studied, for example, the creators must know how the vaccine interacts with every system of the body. Sure, you can demonstrate in a petri dish that the vaccine binds flu virus. Great. That's the FIRST step! But how do you know it won't bind the interior surface of the lung in a living body? how do you klnow how it is working? How do you know what systems in the body improve its function? How do you know that 3 days after vaccination there can be an allergic reaction in people with impaired immune systems becasue the incidence of CD4 cells in the airways can cause asthma (this is a hypothetical case, BTW, used to illustrate the complexity of the issue)? The only way to know is to test it in a living body. Period. \n\nHere is a very good web site debunking the popular myths surrounding animal research: \n\nhttp://www.huntingdon.com/index.php?currentNumber=4.9&currentIsExpanded=0\n\nBy the way- two facts most people do not know:\n1) Animal research is much more strictly regulated than human\n2) At all reputable research facilities, the use of every animal used in testing must be justified to government regulatory agencies, and to a representative of public interest\n\nThe use of animals is governed by groups of people dedicated to making critical, and tough, ethical decisions, weighing risk vs benefit, and carefully assessing every proposed study. The benefit to human and animal health and well-being  is alwasy considered very carefully in each decision.\n\nI encourage to learn more about this topic, and continue to ask thoughtful questions.
84679
Thats all I could find. Hope it helps.\n\n\nhttp://www.cfcc.cc.fl.us/news/archive/stemcells102705.htm
57351
Stem Cell Research. Can it really cure diseases like Diabetes? Is it worth it? What harm can come from it? There are a billion questions to be asked about it, and I bet you'll be surprised at what you find.
415304
What kind of stem cell research? Embryonic stem cells come from unborn babies, which means you have to kill the most innocent and most defenseless of human life to get the cells. This is what the liberals want to do to increase the number of abortioins in the US and the world. There is no evidence that this type of cell research is going to produce anything of value. If it had any promise, investors would be lining up to put money into it. But they aren't, so the pro-aborts want government (that means "your money") to fund the research.\n\nOn the other hand, adult stem cell research has yielded incredible results. But you can't kill an adult, so the libs aren't interested in this type of research...
397099
A stem cell is a cell that hasn't been differentiated yet.  Meaning it is not yet a skin, brain, liver, heart, muscle, etc. cell.  They are mostly found in embryos because they obviously are still developing so there is a large amount of stem cells there.  Adults also have stem cells in our bone marrow because that is the site of blood cell synthesis (we are constantly making new blood cells).  \nStem cell research is important in finding out how to differentiate cells into what we want.  This would be nice for making new organs for transplants or even new skin for grafts.  I'm not sure if we can use the stem cells from adults or not, but as far as i know, in the US we are not allowed to use new stem cells for research, only the ones we already have. \nIn my opinion, since there are abortions already being performed (no matter what your opinion of it, it's being done) , instead of just wasting the embryo/fetus, we should at least put it to good use and use it for research to help others.
333674
there is nothing wrong with "stem cell research", but all idiots in the media group adult stem cells, good and have proven to be effective for cures and preventative. and embrionic stem cells, bad. killing a embrio that could, and many have, been used to give people children. and all embrionic stem cells research has not had even one sucess in a single cure or preventiative medicene.
523388
I think embryonic stem cell research is wrong.  I am a Christian, have been all my life, and I don't like being stereo-typed because of my religious 'convictions.'  Advocates argue that Christians are against embryonic stem cell research because they, we, think when we die we will have to answer for it.  NEWS FLASH!  I have accepted Christ, I am going to Heaven when I die, and here is the kicker......I won't have to answer for THEIR transgressions!  I think embryonic stem cell is wrong because life does begin at conception.  The argument that it doesn't is just a way for those who end life to feel better about themselves.  You shouldn't be able to harvest humans like potatoes for the sake of research.  Any way you look at it, it's wrong.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  I have a hard time figuring their reasoning.  What it boils down to is that they want to kill babies to cure old people.  End new life to save one that's already been lived.  For what?  To add another 10-15 years to a persons life?  Why?  Like you said, embryonic stem cell research has yielded no results, however, adult stem cell research has been the most promising so far.  I don't have an argument with these practices.  I don't even have an argument with using aborted embryos for research.  I don't believe in abortion, but the US Supreme Court says it is the right of a woman to decide.  If she decides to end her pregnancy, then I believe the embryo can be used for research.  Is this not a good enough compromise?  I have had a great grandmother die from one of those diseases stem cell research promises to cure.  I watched her suffer, held her hand as she passed, but I would never have signed anything that would have her better if I had to kill a baby.  So many people out there would love to be parents, but they can't because of medical or financial limitations.  Democrats want us to sign on for funded programs that allow babies to be killed for research to cure illnesses and diseases.  I don't see any of these people pushing for a federally funded program to help barren women conceive the children they so desparately want.  Are they really trying to help people?
139273
OK so first switch to decaf. \n\nStem cells are undifferentiated cells that retain the ability to divide and differentiate into other cell types. You don't have to kill babies with little souls going off to heaven to get them either. I'll give you a link for real info, but as far as your area 51 stuff goes sorry that's not going to happen. If you had alien skin cells and dumped a bunch of stem cells on them all you would get is a lot of alien skin cells. Cloning and stem cells are two completely different things.
392257
Just enter those words in a search in your favourite search engine,..Google works great. Also you can try Wikipedia [type that in a Google search] the worlds' free online encyclopedia where you can find info on just about anything and if you want can post info on subjects not yet entered,..keep in mind that because of this feature some info there may be incorrect. I recently saw on the news [TV] that somewhere [forget where] they are going to see if stem cells injected into a humans' heart attack damaged heart may cause a healing of the damage. If this were to work it could be a major breakthrough that could lead to people living quite a bit longer than normal,..not quite eternal youth, but maybe 120-150 yrs lifespan. Stem cell research and use in treatments may also lead to cures for many things including cancer without using dangerous radiation anymore.   John
527067
Biology Help\n\nPLANT AND ANIMAL CELL MODELS \n\nhttp://www.kathimitchell.com/cells.html\n\nhttp://www.infovisual.info/03/001_en.html\n\nhttp://www.infovisual.info/01/014_en.html\n\nGood luck.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, England.
498197
There are TWO types of stem cell research - Embyonic Stem Cell Reasearch ( creating embryos for the purpose of harvesting healthy cells ), which I am against; Adult Stem Cell Research ( removing healthy cells from adults or children to regenerate ), which I am an advocate for. Both hold tremendous promise , it just depends where your ethics lie.
445879
First off, many Republicans are not against stem-cells.  They are, however, against government money paying to create new stem-cells.  They feel that the government researchers can work with the pre-existing lines.  Most Republicans support allowing private corporations to fund the research and create the lines, they just do not believe the government should be doing it.\n\nSecond, it is alleged that there many be research that will lead to breakthroughs.  However, there have been numerous other "breakthroughs" such as bone marrow research and cloning that didn't do a fraction of what was expected.
477140
I already totally support stem cell research, but I was really impressed by that news. I really hope a cure for MS and other spinal afflictions is in the very near future.\n\n\nGod Bless You
554581
I am for stem cell research because last year I was diagnosed with cancer and met some amazing toddlers with cancer.\nSo stem cells would help save there lives.
3848
All you need to know is at:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cells
527816
First of all, I'm pro-choice and I support embryonic stem cell research.\nSecond, it'd be impossible to get stem cells from an aborted fetus.  Embryonic stem cells come from embryos - hence the name.  The cells used  come from embryos that are less than a week old.  Older cells wouldn't work because embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that haven't developed into specific adult cells yet.  So an older cell that has already developed would be useless for research purposes.