Interesting advance in stem cell research

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Somerfrost,
Thanks for explaining. At this point, we're only talking embryonic stem cells from mice.
I put the Nature article up as my son works with a line of mice that he uses to determine cardio defects that cause "hole in the heart" for newborns.
This condition is evident in six of 10K live births (humans). The babies are immediately rushed from the delivery room to surgery, for open heart remedy.
It's my opinion that humans are more important than mice.
This is not about the "artificial creation of life", but rather, the quest to find ways to solve problems that cause it to be degenerated.
I'll go with those that quest to enhance life and resolve suffering.
Just my opinion.
DTS

I agree...just saying that we need to supervise! The positives here are endless.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I agree...just saying that we need to supervise! The positives here are endless.

"Who" needs to supervise?

Hopefully not the scientifically ignorant, who respond and judge from fear and lack of understanding.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Riot

"Who" needs to supervise?

Hopefully not the scientifically ignorant, who respond and judge from fear and lack of understanding.

You don't know me very well......

[Riot]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

You don't know me very well......

I wasn't referring to "you". I was referring to those who have already attempted to get involved in such issues.

Who would you suggest?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Riot

I wasn't referring to "you". I was referring to those who have already attempted to get involved in such issues.

Who would you suggest?

I'm most comfortable when the scientific community polices itself as long as there is public disclosure...sure, that allows "wack-jobs" a soapbox for their own private sense of morality but it is necessary. Better to tolerate TV evangelists proclaiming "god has turned his back on America" than to end up with secret programs to "enhance" the human genome.

Long way to go on this.

The stem cells made by using no fetal tissue (skin connective cells called fibroblasts which I worked 3 years with, only in chickens) dont necessarily give rise to organs they might want to clone. It is exciting that they can use nonembryonic cells to make what behave like stem cells early on, but later, when the important differentiation occurs... not even close.

Im going to make a prediction. This is going to be very difficult. I think these genes they put in to cause these cells to revert to the stem cell stage do not change already altered crucial genes important in producing, for example, a fully functional liver. I believe that as cells differentiate, some very significant changes occur in the genome that will be very difficult to fix. Lots of splicing and dicing goes on. Very difficult stuff.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Long way to go on this.

The stem cells made by using no fetal tissue (skin connective cells called fibroblasts which I worked 3 years with, only in chickens) dont necessarily give rise to organs they might want to clone. It is exciting that they can use nonembryonic cells to make what behave like stem cells early on, but later, when the important differentiation occurs... not even close.

Im going to make a prediction. This is going to be very difficult. I think these genes they put in to cause these cells to revert to the stem cell stage do not change already altered crucial genes important in producing, for example, a fully functional liver. I believe that as cells differentiate, some very significant changes occur in the genome that will be very difficult to fix. Lots of splicing and dicing goes on. Very difficult stuff.

Pgardn,
You may be entirely correct with your prediction. There's a long way to go
with producing replacement organs (such as a liver as you suggest). We can discuss matrix and regeneration techniques some other time.
I think that the use of four protien transcriptors using retroviruses that express as pluripotent stem cells (as the Nature article states) and the transfer of iPS DNA to progeny are quite interesting.
Watson was recently given his personal genome and within a short time, all of us will have access to our own for a very modest price (1K).
I agree with you that this is "difficult", but not out of reach.
DTS

[Downthestretch55]

OK, thanks for explaining.
I'm sure there will be "supervision".
At this point, there's no way this "genie is going to be put back into the bottle".
No dependecy on fertility clinics for human embryos, no "abortions", no "moral interference", and no funding constituancies (NIH) to appease.
Let's move forward in the research that benefits the human condition.
The implications of the findings are indeed momentous.

As an aside, scientists cause concern because they deal with some things that are not easily understood. From my dealings with them, even one of my friends that worked on the Manhatten Project, they are in favor of life.
Their efforts are to make it better.
I have to say that these people are curious but not dangerous. Those that use their findings inappropriately are the ones to beware of.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

OK, thanks for explaining.
I'm sure there will be "supervision".
At this point, there's no way this "genie is going to be put back into the bottle".
No dependecy on fertility clinics for human embryos, no "abortions", no "moral interference", and no funding constituancies (NIH) to appease.
Let's move forward in the research that benefits the human condition.
The implications of the findings are indeed momentous.

As an aside, scientists cause concern because they deal with some things that are not easily understood. From my dealings with them, even one of my friends that worked on the Manhatten Project, they are in favor of life.
Their efforts are to make it better.
I have to say that these people are curious but not dangerous. Those that use their findings inappropriately are the ones to beware of.

I agree DTS, my graduate training is in research and most everybody I met was concerned with improving the human condition...still the twin evils of greed and arrogance exist everywhere so we just have to be careful. Again, the science is wonderful, the devil (if there was one) is in the application.