Stem Cell research

[Randall McNally]

do the ones they freeze usually die?

It depends. They have a finite freezer-life. Some women need multiple treatments, so all the embryos initially extracted might be used for IVF. If not, they can be donated or discarded after a period of time.

and are those the ones that are used?

Yes.

 

[Randall McNally]

You have it kinda wrong. First of all embryos are already fertilized eggs, you don't need sperm for embryos that already exist. Eggs are harvested from the woman, and sperm is harvested from the guy.

Yeah, I meant to write "ova" instead of "embryos."

The egg and sperm are then combined in a petri dish (last I knew of).

Probably. I was just being overly simplistic and obvious.

I think sometimes the sperm is injected directly into the egg, but don't quote me on that.

No, you're right.

Of course they make several embryos. A few of them, IIRC, are then implanted into the woman. Out of that few, 1 may take hold, occassionally more than 1 take hold. If it takes hold, the other embryos are stored for use in someone else (if they are donated) or are disposed of.

Hmm. I don't think they can get non-implanted embryos out of the uterine cavity for later use. As far as I know, once they're implanted they either develop or die.

 

[Natman]

Regardless of the fact that hundreds and maybe thousands of fertilized eggs might be discarded as a result of IVF, I consider it more immoral to do anything that will encourage the production and destruction of human embryo for the purpose of improving a life, especially when other sources of stem cells are available that do not destroy life, even if they are not as affective (which has yet to be proven).

Son-cerely,
Nate

 

[trunks2k]

Regardless of the fact that hundreds and maybe thousands of fertilized eggs might be discarded as a result of IVF, I consider it more immoral to do anything that will encourage the production and destruction of human embryo for the purpose of improving a life, especially when other sources of stem cells are available that do not destroy life, even if they are not as affective (which has yet to be proven).

The point is that there is no need to create embryos for that purpose. They're already created. They exist, and unless artificial insemeniation becomes much more effective, then they're always going to exist. No need to create something that is already available to you in large quantities. And no reason to let something go to waste to could have a very useful purpose.

 

[Archivist]

The point is that there is no need to create embryos for that purpose. They're already created. They exist, and unless artificial insemeniation becomes much more effective, then they're always going to exist. No need to create something that is already available to you in large quantities. And no reason to let something go to waste to could have a very useful purpose.

Agreed--it is foolish to waste embroys that could be used to save lives.

The people of Caluifornia made the right choice by approving the funding of such research since our President has restricted Federal funding.

 

[geoffins]

Hi everyone, I am not the brightest cookie amongst us when it comes to stem cell research and embryonic cell research, do any of you know where I could get a dummied down quick explaination of the arguments for and against it. Or could someone help me out with some simpleness for lil' old' me ??

Thanks people