Ethics and Stem Cells

GuanYin

I was at the recent Bionet Conference which featured a debate on Science and Ethics in Stem Cell research and GM foods.

One interesting thing that was mentioned was a reference to Ireland's stance on Stem Cell research. That is that while Mary Harney voted yes to EU legislation allowing stem cell research, she effectively said that no stem cell research would be allowed in Ireland.

So the question is, if this countries ethical stance is that we will not partake in Stem Cell research, is it ethical for us to use any therapeutics that arise from stem cell research in the future?

Kell

Hmmn,

was watching a programme on BBC the other night re stem cell research taking a fictional story but adding in fact from interviews from researchers, professors and practitioners. Have to say, I was surprised how many of the voting audience voted the advocacy of stem cell research.

Personally speaking, I am against the therapeutic use of stem cells in any capacity, and yes, I would view our future usage of therapeutics arising from it as unethical. But, as generally happens in this country, while we claim not to support something, the usage will invariably happen.

K-

Lemming

Unfortunately the NIMBY* brigade are rather prevalant here, and Mary Harney's stance just reflects that.



* Not In My Back-Yard

simu

syke wrote:

So the question is, if this countries ethical stance is that we will not partake in Stem Cell research, is it ethical for us to use any therapeutics that arise from stem cell research in the future?

It's not a decision based on ethics but rather on political convenience. MH knows many Irish people freak out at the idea of stem cell research and she doesn't want to upset them. I mean, if a person decides that something is wrong, it should be wrong irrespective of where it's happening. Yet another Irish solution to an Irish problem!

I'm pretty sure that Irish people will get to enjoy any benefits that stem (sorry!) from this research as we're able to go to other EU countries for medical treatment. In that case, it's up to the individual Irish person to decide if they want to do this. I don't have a problem with stem cell research and would take this opportunity if necessary.

Nevyn

Fine

GuanYin

Thaed wrote:

I cant see stem cell research happening here at all.
For the very simple reason that the main rescource, the stems cells
them selves would not be advilible in any great vailble numbers and importing them is another huge headache.

Nope and nope. I really wish people wouldn't make comments like this when they clearly don't know the facts.

There are many ways to generate stem cells, the procedures could be carried out here, if not, transporting stems cells would be no more difficult than any of the thousands of cell lines transported across the world on a daily basis.

We dont have the same fertility realted health sevices here unlike what is advailble in the UK and elsewhere.
And even if a company is not planning on using discarded fetouses from
pregancy terminations or miscarrraiges the only other option is left over embyros
from IFV treatment centres and again we really dont have those sevices with coulples having to travel in most cases to London for those treatment options.

There are thousands upon thousands of unused IVF blastocysts and emryos in freezers in Europe that will eventually be destroyed. The could easily be transported to labs across the world. Otherwise the technology to generate blastocysts exists and IVF clinics aren't required. I don't know where you got that idea from.

Ms Beanbag

syke wrote:

if this countries ethical stance is that we will not partake in Stem Cell research, is it ethical for us to use any therapeutics that arise from stem cell research in the future?

No I dont believe so. If we are going to avail of the benefits then we should partake and be involved in the research at least.

Interestingly, Stem cells can now be taken from the umbilical cord. http://www.marrow.org/MEDICAL/cord_blood_transplantation_basic.html
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/07/09/cord_blood020709