What are your thoughts on gene therapy?

[FranEMTnurse]

:stone

There have beeen a lot of pro and cons in the news lately on the use of gene therapy.

Some people feel that it's playing God, others feel it's unethical, because the genes are harvested from human embryos, and others feel that it's a wondrous breakthrough in the advancement of medical science.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

Hi Angi,

Yes, wouldn't it be wonderful if gene researchers

would explore the cells and the genes that can be extracted from the umbilical cord more thoroughly?

I believe there's a lot of promise for that type of research.

My daughter is currently finishing up her PHD in

Quantative Genetics, so that's why I do mention

that more research should be done with its contents.

Promise has already been seen as to the benefits.

For example, more and more Physicians are ordering the extraction of the cord's blood, from newborns who are born with a low Apgar score, and stored for the infant's further benefit. In fact, I saw on the news a short time ago that a newborn's Pediatrician ordered the extraction and injection

of its cord blood back into the baby. I don't remember what was wrong with it, but whatever it was, the baby was cured.

I am truly sorry to hear about your niece. You have my condolences. It must be a very difficult experience for everyone involved.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

Hello Micro,

I agree that stem cell research does show a lot of promise, but why should a little baby's life be sacrificed when some of the same benefits could be discovered from the cells and genes from umbilical cords that are usually discarded anyway?

I too am an organ donor. In fact, I carry a special donor card. I feel that if any good can be

done for someone else after I'm finished with my body, then I say, "Have at it." It's not going to do me any good anymore anyway.

Cheers!

[nurs4kids]

Noel,

I'm in agreement with you. I am a Christian, but that doesn't stop me from loving my children or the children of other's. I think any honest parent in their right mind, faced with the decision of using embryo's to save their child's life vs "maintaining morality" would choose to save their child's life. I know I would. I agree with whoever said that as long as abortion is legal, this should also be legal. What's the difference in "aborting" for convinence and embyroinc stem cell?? One wastes a life, the other has the possibility to save many.

However, I do feel there should be strict guidelines and highly enforced.

just mho

[nurs4kids]

p.s.

fyi..Brian ran a poll last year on this same topic...interesting responses

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8866&highlight=stem+cell

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

Yes, the replies must have been interesting. I didn't know the subjest had been brought up previously.