LGBT News Stem cells can allow gay men to create eggs?

Woah

 

Not sure how I feel about this due to the ethical points you mentioned. I'm open to stem cell research to cure diseases, fix people's sight etc but for something "non-essential" like this it doesn't feel right, not when there are other options already available (normal surrogacy, IVF or adoption). I'm particularly uncomfortable with the idea of splicing the genes from two men into one child - I appreciate it would be nice to have a child with DNA of both their same-sex parents but this is just a bit unnatural and a little vain.

The only real benefit I can see of this is if there was a "Children of Men" scenario and we desperately needed to increase our reproduction options - but I don't think this should be made readily available to any gay couple wanting children. There are already so many kids needing adoption - we should look to home them before resorting to extreme science.

 

I know, right?

 

I don't think adoption is the issue here. We already have over 7B people in this world, and we don't need 8B in this world. Alternative forms of reproduction does not contribute much to the growing population as it isn't frequent as the standard form of reproduction.

 

Very cool!

 

I actually really like the idea, because I would never do surrogacy because I wouldn't want to have a child with someone that I didn't love or with someone I wasn't with, so even the idea of this is really interesting to me. If I ever do have a child, the only way I would have it besides this way is adoption. Not to say I'll do this if it ever can happen, but it is a very interesting option/idea.

 

Does this mean I could make clones?

If so, then this is awesome. I want to build a compound in a remote part of Idaho, where compounds seem common, and start pumping 'em out by the thousands! I'll soon rule the world.

 

I doubt it'll be effective any time soon even if it isn't just possible only in theory.

In any case, I see very little purpose in it. If you can't love a child who isn't your own biological offspring, then you probably shouldn't be a parent.

In any case, stem-cell medical stuff should be used on necessary cases such as regrowth of limbs and reparation of serious wounds, not as a commercialised way for gay men to have needlessly biological children.

 

Yay! *clap clap clap clappity clap clap* Go science!

 

Gay men can have their own children: Yeah, i'm totally all for that! I'm pumped!

Cloning: Hmm... That sounds like something that could easily be taken advantage of...

 

I kind of have to agree that adoption should be focused on more. I get that it's more stressful, difficult, and costly than people often realize, but so is (I assume) using stem cells. Why not focus research and spending on treating diseases, perhaps also with stem cells, rather than creating more people?

 

What is this "stem cells should only be used for some arbitrary uses I approve of" nonsense that is going on in this thread? What is the reasoning behind this thinking.
Also no scientific research is trivial. Experimentation done to this end doesn't mean it will only ever be useful for this purpose.

 

I agree with Ridiculous. There's no need to halt scientific research over the dislike of a few of the implications. Yes, there is a need to ethically use technology, but the correct way of addressing that is actually grappling with the ethical issues, not saying "we need to stop this kind of research."

I think anything positive that can be done with stem cells out to be explored.

 

I'm not sure if anyone's opposing the research itself (at least I'm not), just the uses it might have in the future.

 

Well okay I can understand that, but I think that needs to be dealt with when it comes to it, not pre-emptively and to the disadvantage of everything else than comes with stem cell research.

 

I think research is fine, but with science this powerful some degree of caution and awareness of the potential implications is a necessity.

For example we now have the technology to remove or screen for diseases in embryos which is helpful, as it means any treatment that is necessary can start immediately after a child is born. However this knowledge needs to be used appropriately otherwise we veer towards "designer babies", or even potentially in the future parents having the option to screen for homosexual "markers", so they can prevent having gay children (i.e abort) or "cure" them. A little far-fetched? Maybe, but I think science is progressing at a far faster rate than tolerance towards homosexuality which might lead to problems.

 

Agreed.

And I'll add that few things could be more ethical, not to mention charming, engaging and modest, than an army of clones of me!