BrainKing - Diskussionsborde (Politics)

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15. September 2010, 07:21:26

Übergeek 바둑이

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Emne: Stem cells and diseases of the central nervous system

I found interesting the postings about Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzeimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, etc.

The current theory on how these diseases arise is that there are external as well as genetic factors that can lead to the death of neurons in the brain. As the neurons die, they are slowly replaced by fibrous tissues made mostly of collagen fibers. This "plaque" interferes with transmission of signals between neurons and this causes the slow deterioration of essential functions of the nervous system. Hence people observe changes in behaviour, loss of memory, loss of motor control and all the other symptoms associated with these diseases.

Stem cells have been used successfully in animals to "regenetrate" lost neurons in the brain. Embrionic stem cells have been introduced in the brains of animals and those stem cells have become new neurons in response to chemical signalling from adjacent neurons.

Scientists have tried to do stem cell research in humans to try to regenerate neurons as well as other essential cells in the body. However, the research remains controversial since the stem cells have come from human embrios. The question is: Is such research acceptable? I am always curious to hear opinions on it. It is a topic that is difficult because for many people an embrio is a potential human being, thus they see embrionic stem cell research as taking the life of one human being to save another.

I am one who fully believes in stem cell research and its potential to heal many people and ease the suffering of millions. I have friends who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, and they could be helped. A friend of mine has the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. This likely arose from genetic factors and her gradual deterioration will happen as she grows older over the next few years. Another friend is a woman who developed symptoms of Parkinson's disease as a result of having been married to an abusive husband during her youth. Her ex-husband used to beat her until she was unconcious, and her doctor believes that those beatings gradually damaged her brain until now that she is older she has developed this disease.

If embrionic stem cells could help patients like these, is their research justified?

15. September 2010, 07:40:19

Bernice

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Emne: Re: Stem cells and diseases of the central nervous system

Tilpasset af Bernice (15. September 2010, 07:41:05)

Übergeek 바둑이: yes I believe what you have said is correct....this Lady friend of mine, about 3-4 years ago had a very small bowel cancer...she had to have a bag for 6 weeks...this upset her and worried her something terrible, and it was from that point that she started to go downhill. No one realized it until I had to do an audit on her partners books. I found where she had entered/raised invoices 4-5 times for the same thing...when I asked her about this she knew nothing of it. I was able to fix it all up, but she wasn't allowed to touch the computer (in the accounts dept.) again. Over the next 18 months of my having to do their bookkeeping I noticed her regressing back into childhood memories more often. She also would tell you the same thing over and over. To speak to her if you didn't know you wouldnt know there was anything wrong with her at all. In fact you wouldn't know now except she is very vague and is seeing people (that are still alive) that aren't there. Not in the same room with her but if she looks out the window she sees them in the garden outside her "gaol" window.

I agree with you in using embryonic cells to advance the life of people who can be helped.

I agree that an embryo is a human being but if it can be proved that THAT embryo isn't going to have an excellent quality of life for some reason unbeknown to people like us who know nothing about this, then I think stem cell research should be a priority to help those in need.

Im not trying to start another useless discussion on abortion as we have gone over that about a dozen times on here at different times over the years, and never get any wiser :)

15. September 2010, 07:45:56

Papa Zoom

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Emne: Re: Im not trying to start another useless discussion on abortion as we have gone over that about a dozen times on here at different times over the years, and never get any wiser :)

Bernice: