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Functional Neurons Created From Adult Somatic Cells

mmmscience writes "Researchers at UCLA have accomplished a task that has long vexed stem cell researchers: They've created the first electronically active neurons from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This is a great leap forward for stem cell researchers, who can apply these neurons to the study of neurodegenerative diseases."

3 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Science will find a way... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    You can mod me as you like. My point remains.

    I respect the results; it's the method I take umbrage with.

    I realize development takes research, and research requires experimentation.
    I just disagree that experimentation requires suffering and torture-
    Can you not find a more elegant experiment?

    You say there are no alternatives, but I'd say the economic impetus is not there.
    It just seems like lazy business-model science, which is all too common.

    Do we really NEED that new formulation of soap? Do we need it yesterday?
    Is there NO other way of testing the formula in a lab setting?
    Or are they simply unwilling to spend large monies on such technologies
    when they can simply jab a $10 bunny rabbit?

    It's the economics of rationalizing unnecessary torture via experimentation-
    THAT is what I was referring to, not the "greater good" theory that you seem to subscribe to.

    Remember, how you have treated the least of my brothers, you have treated myself also.
    Sentience understands pain. When the apes decide to breed us for experimentation,
    I will be the first to jab a swab with some 'new forumlation' in your eye.

    Only then will you understand.

  2. mod 0bp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    Problems with see... The number

  3. Re:In preparation for the inevitable comments by ArcherB · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I read the article, and indeed something was done. It allowed research on contaminated lines. You might have also noticed how few lines are available for federal dollars.

    My analogy of the poisoned well stands.

    Maybe you didn't read TFA:

    Researchers at UCLA have accomplished a task that has long vexed stem cell researchers: Theyâ(TM)ve created the first electrically active neurons from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This is a great leap forward for stem cell researchers, who can apply these neurons to the study of neurodegenerative diseases.

    Here, a group of scientists and probably students were successful in creating active, working neurons from iPS cells.

    In other words, a group of thirsty scientists drank from the well you said was poisoned and are fine. Turns out that there was nothing wrong with the water after all. Now, you analogy would be correct if they took federal money, did all kinds of research and determined that nothing could be done with iPS cells. Fortunately, that is not the case. Since they were successful, your analogy fails. I don't see why this is so hard to under stand.

    Is it really that hard to admit that Bush did something that was not 100% completely wrong? Don't let your partisan hatred cloud reality.

    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.