parthenogenesis

[Eos of the Eons]

announced that they had managed to create primate embryos parthenogenetically, that is, without fertilization.


Is this a more acceptable way to get stem cells? Are there any ethical complaints about this method?

http://www.accessexcellence.org/WN/SU/SU102001/parthenogenesis.html

[BillyJoe]

At first blush there should be no objection to this from the religiously inclined.

The main objection to obtaining stem cells form excess embryos from IVF clinics is that embryos are (potential) human beings. Parthenogenetic embryos are definitely not human beings even potentially. They are derived from the ovum only with no contribution from sperm and cannot develop into an adult. So I cannot see where the objection would lie. Even better would be stem cells derived from adult bone marrow aa mentioned in the article.

Anyone else see any objection?

[Dymanic]

Anyone else see any objection?
"Human eggs, fertilized or not, are potential human beings, and as such are sacred. They should never be used for scientific experimentation or any purpose other than that which Gawd intended. Same goes for sperm cells."

[Eos of the Eons]

I thinks me detects sarcasm, but I'll add this anyhoo

Bah humbug. Eggs are passed out every month, why let them go to waste if they can save lives? That's what they would be doing when the stem cells can grow you another heart. That's better than being flushed down the toilet or discarded the way they are by all of us.

[3-toed-sloth]

Originally posted by BillyJoe
At first blush there should be no objection to this from the religiously inclined.

The main objection to obtaining stem cells form excess embryos from IVF clinics is that embryos are (potential) human beings. Parthenogenetic embryos are definitely not human beings even potentially. They are derived from the ovum only with no contribution from sperm and cannot develop into an adult. So I cannot see where the objection would lie. Even better would be stem cells derived from adult bone marrow aa mentioned in the article.

Anyone else see any objection?

The religious people shouldn't object, but they will. Scientist will be accused of "playing god" and that will be it. Giving these people a reasonable explaination will do nothing to deter them.

[SquishyDave]

Originally posted by Dymanic
"Human eggs, fertilized or not, are potential human beings, and as such are sacred. They should never be used for scientific experimentation or any purpose other than that which Gawd intended. Same goes for sperm cells."
This is what I don't get from the nay sayers. What this means is that every month, millions, if not billions of women are killing off a potential human. Why is the church not doing anything about this wholesale slaughter? The catholic church should have some sort of holy tampon or pad, that captures the potential human, and either stores it safely for fertilisation later, or reads it its last rights.

And lets not forget the other half of the potential human, a man could kill off millions of potential humans inside 2 minutes using nothing more than a victoria secrets catalogue. And since the study was released showing that... er cleaning the pipes regularly reduced prostate cancer risks, and us guys will always do whatever it takes to reduce cancer risks, we now have every single male who heard this news vigorously protecting themselves from cancer on a daily basis. ;)

The loss to humanity is now uncountable. Oh well.

[Zep]

Let's try this version...

"Chicken eggs, fertilized or not, are potential chickens, and as such are sacred. They should never be used for scientific experimentation or any purpose other than that which Gawd intended. Same goes for roosters' sperm cells."

Yep. Just as sensible. :D

[reprise]

Originally posted by Zep
Let's try this version...

"Chicken eggs, fertilized or not, are potential chickens, and as such are sacred. They should never be used for scientific experimentation or any purpose other than that which Gawd intended. Same goes for roosters' sperm cells."

Yep. Just as sensible. :D

There go a substantial amount of our vaccines. :D

[Diamond]

Originally posted by SquishyDave
And lets not forget the other half of the potential human, a man could kill off millions of potential humans inside 2 minutes using nothing more than a victoria secrets catalogue. And since the study was released showing that... er cleaning the pipes regularly reduced prostate cancer risks, and us guys will always do whatever it takes to reduce cancer risks, we now have every single male who heard this news vigorously protecting themselves from cancer on a daily basis. ;)



You're just a wanker, Dave ;)

[reprise]

Dave lives in Canberra. His sperm freeze instantly upon expulsion from his body. :D

BTW, what's the weather like in Canberra Dave - my 11 year old is there for a couple of days at the moment.

[Zep]

Boys, keep the language non-pub, please! Children are listening...

[BillyJoe]

EVERY SPERM IS SACRED.

DAD:
There are Jews in the world.
There are Buddhists.
There are Hindus and Mormons, and then
There are those that follow Mohammed, but
I've never been one of them.
I'm a Roman Catholic,
And have been since before I was born,
And the one thing they say about Catholics is:
They'll take you as soon as you're warm.
You don't have to be a six-footer.
You don't have to have a great brain.
You don't have to have any clothes on. You're
A Catholic the moment Dad came,
Because
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
GIRL:
Let the heathen spill theirs
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay for
Each sperm that can't be found.
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is wanted.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.
MUM:
Hindu, Taoist, Mormon,
Spill theirs just anywhere,
But God loves those who treat their
Semen with more care.
MEN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
WOMEN:
If a sperm is wasted,...
CHILDREN:
...God get quite irate.
PRIEST:
Every sperm is sacred.
BRIDE and GROOM:
Every sperm is good.
NANNIES:
Every sperm is needed...
CARDINALS:
...In your neighbourhood!
CHILDREN:
Every sperm is useful.
Every sperm is fine.
FUNERAL CORTEGE:
God needs everybody's.
MOURNER #1:
Mine!
MOURNER #2:
And mine!
CORPSE:
And mine!
NUN:
Let the Pagan spill theirs
O'er mountain, hill, and plain.
HOLY STATUES:
God shall strike them down for
Each sperm that's spilt in vain.
EVERYONE:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite iraaaaaate!

regards,
BillyJoe.

[Zep]

I did try.

[SquishyDave]

Originally posted by Diamond
You're just a wanker, Dave ;)
:D

Originally posted by reprise
Dave lives in Canberra. His sperm freeze instantly upon expulsion from his body. :D

BTW, what's the weather like in Canberra Dave - my 11 year old is there for a couple of days at the moment.
It's nice, you need a jumper, but it is clear skies, and a nice gentle breeze, it sounds cold on paper, but as long as you have a jumper it's rather pleasant, but I'm a nerd myself, so I try to avoid going outside. I much prefer to keep up my regime of anti-cancer exercises. :cool: And if you try that outside, you tend to get arrested, believe me, not to mention all the religious types screaming "MURDERER" at you, it makes it hard to concentrate.

I'm going to stop typing now, I think you'll agree it's for the best. :)

[Dr. Imago]

I still want to know whether or not the work-product coming out of those countries who don't have such ludicrous Puritanical bans on this area of important research will be used in the U.S.

How can someone who objects to this research then be morally justified in using a cure that is derived from it? Seems like the ultimate in hypocrisy to me. Suppose that medical scientists someday do find a cure for a particular type of cancer as a direct result of, for example, Swedish embryological stem-cell research. Will that cure then also be banned in the U.S.? Doubtful. (No wonder much of the rest of the world laughs at us.)

-TT