A Perfect Stem Cell Harvest

Now you can have your embryo and donate it to stem cell science too. A team of researchers has proven that it's possible to harvest one cell from an early-stage embryo called a blastocyst without harming the developing creature. In other words, no unborn babies have to be harmed to create stem cells. One day, parents who need a little extra money can even sell a few embryonic cells from their developing tots to start their college funds. Here's how it works.

According to an article in Scientific American:

The [research] group says the embryos survived the removal of a blastomere [cell] or two and grew normally to the 10-cell stage 80 percent of the time, the same rate as untouched IVF (in vitro fertilization) embryos. IVF doctors routinely take single cells from embryos to check for genetic diseases before implanting them in the womb. "If we base this on objective scientific criteria, there's no evidence that removing a single blastomere harms the embryo," says Robert Lanza, ACT's chief scientific officer. The frozen embryos were set to be discarded by IVF clinics, but donor couples instead consented to their use for research.

OK, let's start some new, guilt-free stem cell lines!

Embryos Survive Stem Cell Harvest [Scientific American]

7:20 AM on Fri Jan 11 2008
By Annalee Newitz
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7 comments

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braak at 07:29 AM on 01/11/08
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Connectedness Index: 990

Well, it conveniently skirts the ethical question of stem cell research, but who cares? That's some shit for philosophers to work out.

Finally, now, America can try to catch up with the rest of the world.
papercup mixmaster at 07:37 AM on 01/11/08
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"The frozen embryos were set to be discarded by IVF clinics." This is the facet that always sticks me about all the opposition to stem cell research. Many of the embryos used are marked for destruction anyway - so why would it matter by what method?
But hey, now researchers can harvest a single cell from the embryos and still discard them as scheduled. Everybody wins!
demonwolf at 08:21 AM on 01/11/08
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how much does it pay
Direwolf84 at 09:18 AM on 01/11/08
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Now lets get to work on those Super Soldiers. I mean come on its 2008!
Spoonman at 09:43 AM on 01/11/08
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COLLINXVII: The opposition's opposition to it is they believe that if you use the stem cells from a fetus, then it will result in more people getting abortions simply to feed the supply. They imagine a future in which there will be farms of young women who are knocked up repeatedly simply to harvest fetus stem cells. Because, as you know, if you're going for a conclusion, the most irrational is usually the best one.
braak at 09:48 AM on 01/11/08
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@Spoonman: Only if it is combined with the most horrific.
IrisMR at 08:03 AM on 01/14/08
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"They imagine a future in which there will be farms of young women who are knocked up repeatedly simply to harvest fetus stem cells"

...you know, with the right environment it doesn't sound THAT bad...

Anyway, to be serious... I think stem cell research is awesome and if you're to discard a baby you should have the right to give it to science. If you wanna prevent futuristic "fetus farms", you should just forbid them from buying fetuses from the women - they have to be donated.