A breakthrough in Science!

RedAngel · Newbie Joined: Oct 07, 2006 Posts: 11 Status: **Offline**

[B]A breakthrough in Science and an answer to almost all Christians' prayers!
Recently, I was watching CBS news and the next thing I heard was "We can take the stem cells off of any human, not an embryo." They tested skin cells research on rats and it actually works. This can be proven to cure diseases that we have long hoped for without killing embryos, which is precious life.
There is a catch. Scientists are worried about the spreading of cancer in the cells, but they figure they can halt that too.
No More killing of life! Lets all pray that this will be a step to ending abortion for good!
Praise be to God!

PrayerGuy · Newbie Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 50 Status: **Offline**

Interesting views, I don't know that I would say it is an answer to prayers. While it is a step forward, I am not sure I agree that this is something totally good. They are still trying to play God by trying to create living beings. I don't know, maybe I am missing something here.

I also am not sure where your connection with abortion comes from. Ending embryonic stem cell research has nothing to do with abortion. The only thing that will stop abortion is for people to wake up, be responsible and have some respect for life.

RedAngel · Newbie Joined: Oct 07, 2006 Posts: 11 Status: **Offline**

Before this breakthrough, scientists were using destructive embryo stem cell research. That meant that they wanted to find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's but they had to destroy the embryo to get there and it has not been successful in the past. They also thought they could clone the embryo to help this process but that has only been theoretical, as far as I know of.
Now the breakthrough consists of using induced pluripotent state cells(IPSCs) can actually be used to cure those same diseases without harming the embryo. Skin cells have the same properties like the embryos, but they are not embryos at all. Using IPSCs are more superior to the embryo, scientifically speaking, because they are patient matched, and when they are patient matched to the donor, gives the body less chance of rejecting the cells.
This research actually puts a stop to cloning. According to Markus Grompe, a professor of molecular and medical genetics at Oregon Health and Science University, "The ability to generate ESCs matched to a particular person was the main reason for efforts to clone human embryos." Now that IPSCs are proven to be patient matched to the donor, no need to clone.
This research has a lot of potential and a lot of hope, especially those that are suffering from diseases. However, we still must be cautious and keep an eye on those who would wish to still clone embryos. We also still must prevail and preserve the Culture of Life rather than the Culture of Death, and this breakthrough in science is both a win-win situation, both for the secular non-religious society and the devout Christian society.