Tuesday, March 2, 2010

iPS Cells: Mapping the policy issues

This article was interesting, it was talking all about the politics involved with iPS cells. I would have never thought that all this debate would be involved, but I guess this can be a big deal. Much of the debate is around peoples right when they give cells. Should they be able to know where their cells are going, and what they are being turned into? really this is their DNA( But has been changed to perform info a body part) that is being passed around to another person and they don't know where their DNA actually ended up. I think that if someone is willing to donate their skin cells, they should be doing it to help others who needed them, no matter what reason, so it shouldn't matter what their cells turn into and where they go. I guess if that the case then there needed to be better policy formed to make it clear that either the donor will or will not know whats going on once they have donated. Clearer boundaries and guidelines need to be addressed with cell donation, so that their is no ambiguity.
The article covered many of these issues, but I'm curious what has been done? Have these issues been dealt with, is anyone working on improving the politics?
The articel talks about reach through - after you donate, should the donor have reach through? should they know whats going on with the cells they donated? I say no! Once you donate you shouldn't have any contact with where your cells are going, or what they may be used for. For one reason you may not want to know whats going on, and for another if you do, and you don't like it, to late the damage is done, you already donated and there is nothing that can be done now.If you are going to donate make sure you don't care what will happen with your cells. Donate and move on. Or if you do care go through a doctor or company that is willing to work with you and is willing to keep you in the loop as far as what is going on with your donated cells.

Different note- iPS cells are better ethically and morally than embryos, right? I'm confused why such the debate over iPS cells? If research has found a better way to obtain stem cells, why can't we be happy and accepts this new research?
Can iPS cells be used the same as embryo cells?
Good article to read, interesting topic, enjoy learning about the politics and what the debates are about research.