Iranian Institute of Stem Cell Research, Royan

[Darius11 12]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuFbz_WDW2k

It gets very good after 1:30sec

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[kbordson 8]

That is VERY cool.

[JohnRich 4]

The Iranian clergy decrees that life begins four months after conception. So they have all those nice stem cells to play with from babies which are aborted before they are four months old. And since no one is allowed to question the decrees of the clergy in Iran, there is no official objection to this practice.

Here in America, where free debate is allowed over moral and ethical issues, it's a bit more difficult to clear that hurdle.

http://isg-mit.org/projects-storage/StemCell/stem_cell_iran.pdf

I'm sure you're trying to imply that Iranians are so much more enlightened and advanced than America in this field. But that's not necessarily so. There is plenty of room for debate about when life begins, and when in doubt, erring on the side of babies, as America does, is a nice thing to do. The other side of this Iranian coin is that they are using first-trimester babies as a research commodity, to be killed, dissected and disposed of at will.

[kbordson 8]

There is that side of the argument against stem cell research... but that is what makes pluripotent adult stem cells so fascinating. No harm to "babies" of any age. Possible "cures" for significant medical issues.

[Nigel 0]

Seems to me the Iranians are following most of Europe, Massachusets and California in a quest to improve the human condition. For once, something good is coming out of Tehran...

[FallingOsh 0]

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Seems to me the Iranians are following most of Europe, Massachusets and California in a quest to improve the human condition. For once, something good is coming out of Tehran...

If you can use adult stem cells then whatever.

If you have to define when exactly a life starts so you don't feel guilty about "harvesting," then I wouldn't call that improving the human condition.

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Stay positive and love your life.

[Nigel 0]

Even if I had any any trouble defining when 'life' begins, I'd still have no guilt about using 12 week fetuses.

Let's be clear: the US practice of referring to all fetuses as 'unborn babies' has effectively demonized anyone who is brave or foolhardy enough to challenge this proposition.

[JohnRich 4]

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For once, something good is coming out of Tehran...

It is ironic that they complain about sanctions making it difficult for them to acquire the research equipment they need for stem cell research.

Heck, it hasn't seemed to slow them down any on their quest to build centrifuges, to make an atomic bomb, with which to annihilate Israel.

Maybe they should spend more effort on medical science, then they do on trying to kill Jews. THEN, maybe I'd be impressed.

[Darius11 12]

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Heck, it hasn't seemed to slow them down any on their quest to build centrifuges, to make an atomic bomb, with which to annihilate Israel.

Really did you and Indiana Jones find the secret Iranian plan on a canoe trip?


You just get smarter and smarter every day don’t you.


Weren’t you one of the geniuses who thought going in to Iraq was a good idea?

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[AMax 0]

what kind of gun laws do they have in Iran ?

[Darius11 12]

A liberals wet dream. No one has guns other then military and police. The only exception is for hunters and they can only use rifles. Not to mention getting a license is very difficult. If you have a gun without permission you could risk execution. basically the gun laws along with many many many other laws there suck huge monkey balls.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Nigel 0]

And I'd be really impressed if your fellow Texan spent more on medical science (cf 40 million US citizens with no medical cover) than he does on killing innocent Arabs...

[JohnRich 4]

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Really did you and Indiana Jones find the secret Iranian plan on a canoe trip? You just get smarter and smarter every day don’t you. Weren’t you one of the geniuses who thought going in to Iraq was a good idea?

Your personal insults have done nothing to counter my points.

[Darius11 12]

The "personal insults" are meant to be ridiculous much like claiming to know what a Iran’s intention, motivation, and goals are. So I was asking do you have a secret document that states this or basically any facts to show what you are saying isn’t just hot air?

You know why I think Iran has no intention for war because they have not invaded another country in a century. Pervious behavior is a good indicator. Even if you choose to just look at Iran after the revolution. They still have us beat when it comes to peace. This is off course if you measure actions more then words I don’t know about you but I always do.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[vortexring 0]

His original points are still good points mate.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Darius11 12]

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Heck, it hasn't seemed to slow them down any on their quest to build centrifuges, to make an atomic bomb, with which to annihilate Israel.

This is a point?

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[vortexring 0]

No. That's not what I meant by his original point. This was his original point:

"The Iranian clergy decrees that life begins four months after conception. So they have all those nice stem cells to play with from babies which are aborted before they are four months old. And since no one is allowed to question the decrees of the clergy in Iran, there is no official objection to this practice."

Although I do see your counter points to his later points!

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Darius11 12]

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"The Iranian clergy decrees that life begins four months after conception. So they have all those nice stem cells to play with from babies which are aborted before they are four months old. And since no one is allowed to question the decrees of the clergy in Iran, there is no official objection to this practice."

Yes that has been their stance for a while way before Stem-cell research was ever talked about. I heard that going to High School there. That was their view on abortion as well. They believe the soul does not enter the body until 4 months so early abortion is ok late abortion is murder. Again their logic is as good as any. As we can not determined time or moment when life begins or life as a humane begins. That as we know can be discussed till the cows come home.

I think it’s something progressive that Iran is doing, and if the Dr on the video is right soon they will be able heal people who suffer from Spinal injury. I think it is worth it. Imagine not being able to walk or move and your only hope for a cure is not being worked on because of religious right agenda? That would piss me off if I lived in a country that believes in separation of church and state.

What I always find odd is the lake of introspection that most suffer from. They forget that a lot of the issues that are discussed here have to do with the Christina religion. What I do know is the people of America asked for and wanted separation of church and state. The people of Iran voted for an Islamic republic.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[vortexring 0]

Fair enough mate - I don't disagree with you. I was only pointing out John had made a good point originally. As regards to 4 months and what have you; that's been argued enough on a different thread!

I'm also aware you're Iranian and wish to enlighten people to what Iran is really all about in your opinion, which is great. I'm all ears.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Nigel 0]

Whatever clergy may decree (life begins 4 months post conception for the Iranians; conception for Catholics) doesn't make it real or true...

The answer to this question is fundamentally biological, not a religious one.

BTW: I decree (as Archbishop in Chief of the Church of Nigel) life begins when subscribers, sorry I meant to say souls, mail me their Salvation Guaranty Offerings ($10,000 per year). Parents should relieve newborn of this burden till they're self-sustaining.

[JohnRich 4]

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Heck, it hasn't seemed to slow them down any on their quest to build centrifuges, to make an atomic bomb, with which to annihilate Israel.

This is a point?

Yes. Go back and read my message #8 again, where that statement is in context to something else.

I'll elaborate for you, since you don't seem to be grasping what I thought was the obvious idea.

Iran is attempting to build enriched uranium in quantity, which is a rather complicated scientific task. But because they've set this as an important national goal, they've acquired the equipment and resources necessary to do it, despite the inherent difficulties.

So, now to stem cell research. They complain about the difficulty of acquiring the necessary research equipment for this complicated task.

Therefore, if it was as important to them as enriched uranium, they should be able to overcome their difficulties, just like they are with uranium.

Does that help you out with "the point"?

[skydiver30960 0]

I'd be intrigued to see what would happen if Iran actually managed to figure out how to cure spinal injury with stem cells. With Iranian former paraplegics suddenly walking and dancing around, I wonder how long our western objections would hold up... would we still waggle our fingers from our wheelchairs? Or in the face of what we would suddenly be missing, would we find a way to justify it?


Elvisio "interesting thought" Rodriguez