Stell Cell research could have helped Terri Schiavo

[Renew Deal]

Based on my understanding of Stem Cell science, they could have been used to treat some of her injuries. Cells could have been transplated to the damaged area. I am not sure how it would turn out. But the point is, Stem Cell research could have saved Terri Schiavo if it was available and legal at the time.

[Selteri]

1. No, it would not.

Her brain died, you can't regrow a brain, even with Stem Cells it'd still be a new person with no memories or anything.

[Patchuli]

3. I freely admit medical ignorance

but I wonder, if such things as stem cell therapy had been available to Ms. Schiavo 15 years ago,right after her heart attack and brain damage, if some of her brain may have been saved? The question is did it all die at the time of the heart attack or was the atrophy gradual? I saw a picture of her in the hospital with her husband right after her heart attack and I could swear she was looking back at him with a very tender look.

Stem cell research is very important and I'm really glad that it passed her in CA.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. Perhaps, but isn't that sorta like wondering how it would have been...

...if FDR had gotten polio vaccine?

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Fourteen minutes without oxygen.

Nothing to save. Her brain was destroyed when they restarted her heart. Stem cells wouldn't have done anything.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. Well, there's a couple of problems here.

One, I am not certain stem-cells can regrow a cortex.

Two, even if we could magically regrow a cerebral cortex, should we? I mean, everything that makes us who we are is contained in that part of the brain, from emotions to personality to memories. She would have been the equivalent of a new person, needing to relearn EVERYTHING.

What would be the point of recreating a cortex if it doesn't restore the person she was?

[SnowGoose]

5. I think the point Bleachers7 is making

isn't so much about Ms. Shiavo's specific injuries, but how the religious right is so darned adamant about doing everything possible to help those who have catastrophic illnesses and are dying, while working their hinnies off blocking research that could help at least some of these people.

It's equivalent to the hard-core animal rights activists, who nevertheless run right off and take their prescription when they're seriously ill.

It's about the hypocrisy.

'Goose

[WillyT]

6. What's A Stell Cell ???

:shrug: