Messages In This Digest (5 Messages)
- 1.
- Scientists criticize adult stem cell claim-TheScientist.com From: Stephen Meyer
- 2.
- Study gives Parkinson's cure hope - BBC News From: Stephen Meyer
- 3.
- 372 Monday, October 1, 2007 - MARK PERA, ANNA ESHOO, AND THE PRICE O From: Stephen Meyer
- 4.
- California Offers First Bonds to Individuals To Fund Stem Cell Resea From: Stephen Meyer
- 5.
- Stem Cell Research - Why Michael J. Fox Is Wrong From: Stephen Meyer
Messages
- 1.
-
Scientists criticize adult stem cell claim-TheScientist.com
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 1, 2007 7:11 pm (PST)
Scientists criticize adult stem cell claim German stem cell
researchers say a colleague's claims about an adult stem cell heart
therapy are scientifically flawed and politically motivated
[Published 24th September 2007 04:10 PM GMT] TheScientist.com Stem
cell scientists in Germany are accusing a clinical researcher of making
unscientific claims about an adult stem cell transplant therapy in gen
research as the country's parliament prepares to debate liberalizing the
current stem cell law.
Bodo-Eckehard Strauer
<http://www.the-scientist. > , director ofcom/article/ display/21626/
cardiology at the University of Düsseldorf, told the daily Rheinische
Post
<http://www.rp-online.de/ > (Sept. 15) that his team had saved the life of a 64-year-old manpublic/article/ aktuelles/ wissen/gesundhei t/4802\
65
who suffered from cardiogenic shock by transplanting
<http://www.the-scientist. > adult autologouscom/article/ display/24908/
bone marrow-derived stem cells into a damaged artery. Strauer described
the treatment as a "global innovation" and called for increased funding
for adult stem cell research. Strauer has performed the procedure in
over 300 patients since 2001, but the case was the first in an acute
patient.
But some researchers say his claims go too far. Andreas Zeiher
<http://www.kardiologie-uni-frankfur > ,t.de/index. php?hb=home& sb=start
director of cardiology at the University of Frankfurt and also a bone
marrow transplant specialist, noted that patients suffering cardiogenic
shock normally have a survival rate of 50 percent, placing into doubt
the lifesaving role of Strauer's treatment. "Science is not [done by]
reporting a single case," he told The Scientist. "What Strauer has done
is to give a patient report, not a scientific study."
Jürgen Hescheler
<http://www.uni-koeln.de/ > , head of themed-fak/physiolo gie/np/index. htm
Institute of Neurophysiology at the University of Cologne, agreed it was
not scientifically valid for Strauer to base such bold claims on one
patient. Strauer's statements triggered a lot of discussion among
Germany's stem cell scientists, he said. "Most people are not happy with
what Strauer did."
Hescheler, an outspoken supporter of embryonic stem cell research,
believes more animal research is needed to better understand the effect
of stem cell injections before such treatments are tried in humans.
"There are many possible risks which might happen," he said," "and this
applies for all types of stem cells and derivatives."
In a recent mouse study, Hescheler and colleagues identified
<http://www.the-scientist. > potential risks of bonecom/pubmed/ 17483296
marrow transplantation into infracted hearts, showing calcium deposits
formed in mice receiving mesenchymal stem cell injections.
Strauer, however, defended the scientific validity of his claims, which
he said could now be investigated in a clinical trial. "Every study
starts with a first patient," he told The Scientist.
Strauer said he was certain adult stem cell treatment caused the
patient's recovery, adding that it is common practice to report such
"new and innovative results" to the general press. The case, which
occurred this summer, was also reported
<http://www.the-scientist. > in the September issuecom/pubmed/ 17853349
of the Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (German Medical Weekly), a
peer reviewed publication.
Strauer's support of adult stem cell research echoes the stance of
German Research Minister Annette Schavan. Schavan, who recently
announced a three-year €5-million program for adult stem cell
research, opposes <http://www.the-scientist. >com/news/ display/22923
embryonic stem cell research.
Current law bans production of embryonic stem cells within Germany and
allows researchers to import only cell lines produced before January
2002. Many researchers believe the old lines may have genetic defects,
said Hescheler, and results from German scientists are often met with
skepticism. The possibility of loosening the restrictions will be
debated before the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, in the coming weeks,
but the details of a new law have not yet been decided.
Hescheler said he believes a more permissive law has a slightly better
than even chance of winning Bundestag approval. He said Strauer reported
the case study in the media in order to sway public opinion away from
the need for a new law. "I think so," he said.
Zeiher would not say directly whether he believed Strauer's comments in
the press where politically motivated, but noted that Strauer supports
an anti embryonic stem cell group called "Your Stem Cells Heal" and is
quoted on the group's Web site
<http://www.deinestammzellenheilen. > promotingde/sub_statement s.php
adult stem cell therapy. "This tells you everything," Zeiher said.
Zeiher said he was confident that a new, more liberal law will be
approved. A Bundestag majority wants Germany to be a leader in science,
he said, and access to newer embryonic stem cell lines "is the only way
to advance science."
Strauer declined to comment directly to the accusations that his
newspaper comments were politically motivated. When asked whether he
supports a new embryonic stem cell law, he said, "No. We really don't
need a change."
Ned Stafford
mail@the-scientist.com <mailto:mail@the-scientist.com >
Links within this article:
J. Burgermeister, "Stem cell standoff in Germany," The Scientist,
September 26, 2003.
http://www.the-scientist. com/article/ display/21626/
<http://www.the-scientist. >com/article/ display/21626/
S. Reker, "Herzinfarkt-Therapie: Durchbruch an Düsseldorfer
Uni-Klinik, " Rheinische Post, September 15, 2007.
http://www.rp-online.de/ public/article/ aktuelles/ wissen/gesundhei t/48026\
5
<http://www.rp-online.de/ >public/article/ aktuelles/ wissen/gesundhei t/4802\
65
I. Oransky, "Trial of the heart," The Scientist, October 1, 2006.
http://www.the-scientist. com/article/ display/24908/
<http://www.the-scientist. >com/article/ display/24908/
Andreas Zeiher
http://www.kardiologie-uni-frankfur t.de/index. php?hb=home& sb=start
<http://www.kardiologie-uni-frankfur >t.de/index. php?hb=home& sb=start
M Brehm and B.E. Strauer, "Reversal of therapy-resistant cardiogenic
shock after intracoronary transplantation of adult autologous bone
marrow-derived stem cells," Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift,
September 2007.
http://www.the-scientist. 'com/pubmed/ 17853349
<http://www.the-scientist. >com/pubmed/ 17853349
Jürgen Hescheler
http://www.uni-koeln.de/ med-fak/physiolo gie/np/index. htm
<http://www.uni-koeln.de/ >med-fak/physiolo gie/np/index. htm
M. Breitbach et al., "Potential risks of bone marrow cell
transplantation into infarcted hearts," Blood, August 15,
2007.http://www.the-scientist. com/pubmed/ 17483296
<http://www.the-scientist. >com/pubmed/ 17483296
N. Stafford, "German minister rebukes stem cell research," The
Scientist, January 5, 2006.
http://www.the-scientist. com/news/ display/22923
<http://www.the-scientist. >com/news/ display/22923
Your Stem Cells Heal
http://www.deinestammzellenheilen. de/sub_statement s.php
<http://www.deinestammzellenheilen. >de/sub_statement s.php
- 2.
-
Study gives Parkinson's cure hope - BBC News
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 1, 2007 7:14 pm (PST)
Last Updated: Monday, 1 October 2007, 20:31 GMT 21:31 UK [0] [0]
<http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/ > Study gives Parkinson's curempapps/pagetools /email/news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/en\
gland/leicestershire/7023096. stm
hope
Researchers in Leicester believe they have made a discovery which could
lead to a cure for Parkinson's Disease.
BBC News
The degenerative brain disorder currently affects one in 500 people in
the UK.
Researchers now believe they have discovered crucial details about why,
and who, the disease strikes - although a cure could still be years
away.
They have identified how two defective genes interact to destroy cells
in the brain, leading to the condition.
Worldwide interest
Dr Miguel Martins said: "We think that our results provide very exciting
new findings relating to neurological disorders, in particular
Parkinson's Disease.
"We seem to have found a link between two genes that have previously
been associated with Parkinson's Disease."
He added: "The future in terms of cures for Parkinson's Disease lies
definitely with stem cell technology and therapies as well as gene
replacement technology.
The findings from the Leicester study have already attracted interest
from the scientific community around the world.
Most sufferers are diagnosed in their sixties although one in 20 are
diagnosed before the age of 40.
- 3.
-
372 Monday, October 1, 2007 - MARK PERA, ANNA ESHOO, AND THE PRICE O
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 1, 2007 7:15 pm (PST)
372 Monday, October 1, 2007 - MARK PERA, ANNA ESHOO, AND THE PRICE OF
POLITICS
Two weeks ago, Gloria and I stood outside a lovely home in Atherton,
California. We knocked on the door, and waited.
We were ninety minutes early for a fundraiser for Mark Pera, (
www.pera08.com <http://www.pera08.com/ > ) candidate for Congress,
representing the Third district of Illinois.
Why would a Californian care what happens in Illinois?
It's simple. Mark Pera supports embryonic stem cell research. His
opponent, Daniel Lipinski, the man in office, is a national obstacle to
that great endeavor.
Here's Mark Pera:
"Embryonic stem cell research offers millions of Americans the best hope
for a cure and treatment for many debilitating diseases. I believe that
ideologically-driven politicians should not deny patients and their
families the promise this research offers."
Also: "…voters are unhappy with Congress. They want change. If you
take stem cell research, for example, the overwhelming majority of not
just Democrats in this district, but also Americans as a whole, want the
federal government to invest in embryonic stem cell research. Nearly
everyone knows someone who suffers from the intractable diseases that
may be treated or even cured by this new medical technology. Yet
President Bush and Congressman Dan Lipinski let their ideology trump the
needs of the American people and blocked legislation to develop this
technology."—from an interview with Aaron Krager, September 26,
2007.
His opponent, Dan Lipinski, the man in office now? This Bush-league
"Democrat-in-name-only" authored a bill to cripple the federal funding
of embryonic stem cell research. The misleadingly-named "Patients First
Act", is essentially a ban on embryonic stem cell research. Supported by
the Bush White House, the bill would stack the deck, prioritizing all
NIH grants in such a way it would be almost impossible for embryonic
stem cell research grants to ever be awarded.
Lipinski is way out of line with Illinois, which is strongly pro-stem
cell.
How did he win election? He didn't. His father won the nomination, then
turned around and gave it to his son. (Astonishing, but true.)
What did Mark's father give him? A job in a steel mill, where Mark
worked his way through college.
Lipinski has an enormous advantage, because, as the incumbent, he gets
free publicity, including the "franking" privilege, being allowed to
send letters to constituents, as well as getting in the papers pretty
much anytime.
As challenger, Mark Pera has a tough battle ahead. How is he funding his
campaign? Two ways: one, he and his wife Leslie Fenton Pera took out a
loan on their house. Second, from fundraisers.
Whoever wins the Illinois Democratic Primary (February 5th) is assured
victory in that strongly Democratic district—so it all comes
together on February 5th.
The door opened. Movie-star beautiful Vega Gerber (she and husband
Steven Gerber had sponsored the evening) welcomed us graciously.
"We're early," said Gloria, "Could we help?"
"That would be wonderful," said Mrs. Gerber, and in a couple moments
Gloria was making Béarnaise sauce and I was folding little strips of
transparent bacon (I think) over pieces of cantaloupe, to make tiny
snacks called prosciutto. I liked it because there was no "ice-breaking"
needed; we were helping, and felt welcome.
I had wondered, would there be a lot of servants running around?
No, but the two strong Gerber sons carried around the food.
When more guests arrived, they ate some snacks, or stood around and
talked.
Then Anna Eshoo entered the room.
Anna Eshoo is a progressive Democrat, Representative of the Palo Alto
district. Unfortunately nearly every vote Ms. Eshoo casts is canceled
out by Dan Lipinski's obstructionism.
But the instant I saw her, I felt like smiling, because I knew where she
stood.
She was a fighter for people, and a leader in the struggle to advance
stem cell research.
She was with us, early. When a republican Congress was trying to ban
advanced stem cell research, Anna Eshoo (D-CA) said: "As we stand on the
brink of finding the cures to diseases that have plagued so many
millions of Americans, unfortunately, the Congress today in my view is
on the brink of prohibiting this critical research."—August 20, 2001
She never wavered.
Here is her recent statement on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act,
passed by both Houses of Congress, only to be vetoed by President Bush.
Eshoo Statement on Enhancing Stem Cell Research
[http://eshoo.house.gov/ ]index2.php? option=com_ content&do_ pdf=1&id= 286
<http://eshoo.house.gov/ >index2.php? option=com_ content&do_ pdf=1&id= 286
[http://eshoo.house.gov/ ]index2.php? option=com_ content&task= view&id=286& p\
op=1&page=0
<http://eshoo.house.gov/ >index2.php? option=com_ content&task= view&id=286& p\
op=1&page=0
January 9, 2007 | Video
<http://recap.fednet.net/ >archive/Buildasx .asp?sProxy= 80_hflr011107_ 031.w\
mv&sTime=00:00:14.0&eTime= 00:02:32& duration= 00:02:17. 0&UserName= repeshoo\
ca&sLocation=&sExpire= 1
Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-California, made the following
statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support
of H.Res. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.
"I thank the speaker and I thank my colleagues, Congresswoman DeGette
and Congressman Castle for the outstanding work that they've done in
bringing this bill before the House. I'm proud to support it and I
think this is a very important moment for the Congress. Why? Because
this bill really represents hope for the American people. I often say to
my constituents that I am in the business of hope. To give hope to
people with what I do in the votes that I cast. There is a reason why
this bill is an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill. Because 72 percent of
the American people support stem cell research.
… We all have constituents, we all have members of our families
that have diseases that have befallen them and injuries that have
befallen them and where they come to us and say, 'Please take action on
this.'
Mark Pera is her cousin.
Mark said: "My cousin, Anna, a Democratic Congresswoman from California,
and our respective families share a very close bond. During the Armenian
Genocide, both Anna's grandmother and my own grandmother, Esther,
escaped their homeland together to America. Their journey lasted three
long years."
As I listened to these two descendants of immigrants speak, I felt a
swell of pride in America, a country where regular folks can still bring
positive change—if we choose to.
If you would like to help Mark Pera, with time or a couple of bucks,
here is his website.
www.Pera08.com <http://www.pera08.com/ >
Don Reed
www.stemcellbattles.com
- 4.
-
California Offers First Bonds to Individuals To Fund Stem Cell Resea
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 1, 2007 7:19 pm (PST)
California Offers First Bonds to Individuals To Fund Stem Cell Research
By Kristen Philipkoski [Email] <mailto:kp@wired.com> September 28,
2007 | 2:10:48 PMCategories: Stem Cell Research
<http://blog.wired.com/ >wiredscience/ stem_cell_ research/ index.html
[Cirm]
<http://blog.wired.com/ >.shared/image. html?/photos/ uncategorized/ 2007/09/\
28/cirm.jpg
The California state treasury is finally offering up $250 million in
bonds after being bogged down with lawsuits since voters approved the
stem cell funding measure Proposition 71 in 2004. Individuals, rather
than institutional investors, will have first dibs.
Usually, bonds are offered to larger, sophisticated investors because
their value is more difficult to track than stocks. But since the sale
will raise money for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
<http://blog.wired.com/ > , which iswiredscience/ 2007/09/www. cirm.ca.gov/
mandated by Proposition 71 to spend $3 billion on stem cell research
over the next decade, the state treasury is counting on individuals who
are passionate about stem cell research, and possibly less concerned
about profit they'll make from their investment, to shell out.
"There probably is a large group of people in California who are
philosophically committed to this," Lockyestate treatsurer Bill Lockyer
told Reuters
<http://www.reuters.com/article/ > .healthNews/ idUSN27422181200 70928
Individuals can place orders starting October 3, one day before everyone
else.
Reddit It
<http://reddit.com/submit? > | Digg Thisurl=http: //blog.wired. com/wiredscience /2007/09\
/california-offe.html
<http://digg.com/submit? Offers First Bonds tophase=2&url= http://blog. wired.com/ wiredscience/ 2\
007/09/california-offe.html& title=California
Individuals To Fund Stem Cell Research> | Add to del.icio.us
<http://del.icio.us/post?url= Offers First Bonds to Individualshttp://blog. wired.com/ wiredscience/ 2007/09/\
california-offe.html&title= California
To Fund Stem Cell Research>
[Advertisement]
<http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/ >wiredcom. dart/science; kw=science; kw=blog\
s;tile=4;sz=300x250;ord= 123456789?
It's about time.
Glad Cali is taking the initiative once again, but sad at the same time
that the federal govmt. hasn't done so yet.
UCLA's medical school also just received a large amount of money for
similar research.
Posted by: Danny | Sep 28, 2007 1:08:15 PM
<http://blog.wired.com/ >wiredscience/ 2007/09/californ ia-offe.html# comment\
-84427506
Hats off to California, although NJ democrats pat themselves on their
backs for doing the research the federal government has restrictions on,
they still funded 28 adult stem cell projects and only 5 involving esc,
and mind you in a state program put into effect to predominantly fund
esc which is on hold, by the Bush Administration against popular demand.
But, help is on the way in New Jersey. NJ state senator Ellen Karcher
strong on anti-corruption has sent a letter to NJ Governor Corzine:
September 20, 2007
Honorable Jon S. Corzine
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, N.J. 08625
Dear Governor Corzine:
As a firm supporter of stem cell research, I commend you for your
efforts in bringing the state of New Jersey to the forefront of stem
cell research. I believe that it is imperative that the state of New
Jersey funds the type of stem cell research that the federal government
has chosen to ignore.
I am writing to encourage you to explore the promotion of embryonic stem
cell research. If New Jersey wants to become a leader in stem cell
research, it must also be a leader in promoting embryonic stem cell
research. It was my understanding that New Jersey would primarily be
promoting embryonic stem cell research. Yet, out of the seventeen award
recipients of 2006, only two are truly focused on the promotion of
embryonic stem cell research.
I appreciate your consideration in this matter. I would ask that you
contact me at 732-462-8883 or at SenKarcher@njleg.org .
Sincerely,
Ellen Karcher
Senator, 12th Legislative District
- 5.
-
Stem Cell Research - Why Michael J. Fox Is Wrong
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 1, 2007 7:26 pm (PST)
Stem Cell Research - Why Michael J. Fox Is Wrong
<http://www.natural-therapies. > September 29, 2007 | By adminfindsearchall. com/natural- therapies/ stem-c\
ell-research-why-michael- j-fox-is- wrong/
In Natural Therapies
<http://www.natural-therapies. > |findsearchall. com/category/ natural-therapi\
es/
The fast approaching of the mid term elections bring all the special
interest champions out into the limelight. Advocates for special
interests ranging from the environment to animal rights all view the
political process as a means to advance their causes. Chief among these
media darlings dedicated to a social agenda is Michael J. Fox.
Mr. Fox has enabled scientists to carry out some incredible research in
regards to Parkinson?s disease (PD). The Michael J. Fox Foundation has
awarded more the seventy million dollars in scientific grants involving
more than two hundred research projects in eighteen countries.
Among the wide array of projects supported by the Fox Foundation is a
gene therapy that injects a virus with a gene produced by the team of
Dr. Raymond Bartus into the brain. The theory behind this study is hat
seeding the malfunctioning area of the brain will cause it to start
producing Dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone like neurotransmitter.
The Cleveland Clinics: Glossary of Parkinson’s disease Terms
defines Dopamine as;
A chemical produced by the brain; it assists in the effective
transmission of messages from one nerve cell to the next. People with
Parkinson’s have decreased amounts of the chemical in the basal
ganglia and substantia nigra, two structures located deep in the brain.
Dopamine coordinates the actions of movement, balance, and walking.
Another study at the University of Florida supported by the Fox
Foundation is led by Dr. Christine Sapienza. This group of scientist are
working on curing a symptom of PD, that of difficulty swallowing. This
may seem trivial at first blush until you learn that the leading cause
of death in a PWP (Person with Parkinson’s) is aspiration
pneumonia. Water leaking into the airway causing infection, pneumonia
and death.
In Beijing China compounds found in green tea are being study in the
event that they may slow the progression of PD. Again supported
financially by the Fox Foundation.
Parkinson?s disease is a very highly misunderstood disease. There are an
estimated one and a half million people in the United States suffering
from PD. It is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects the
Dopamine producing area of the brain. This loss of Dopamine can cause at
rest tremors, a slowness of movement, rigidity of trunk and limbs and
impaired balance. These are only the main symptoms of PD with dozens of
secondary symptoms. PD is a quietly devastating disease.
Mr. Fox has joined the political process to promote Stem Cell research,
specifically Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR). Mr. Fox and our media
have bought into the claims of certain members of the scientific
community that embryonic stem cells are the great panacea, the magic
bullet, and a cure all solution. Fact is not a single therapy has been
developed using Embryonic Stem Cells.
Diana Kapp in The $3 Billion Cell Job states [1] ?Not a single embryonic
stem cell has ever been tested in a human being, for any disease.?
Read what she says carefully, not only are their no therapies using
ESCR, but no research project has progressed to the stage of testing on
humans. This after twenty five years of research and testing on
embryonic stem cells obtained from mice.
Stuart Newman, Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical
College wrote [2] ?there had been essentially no progress in curing or
even palliating disabling conditions for which mouse ?models? existed,
such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, Parkinson?s and so forth.?
No progress towards a cure for diabetes, spinal cord injury or PD, not
even to relieving the symptoms of these tragic disabling conditions.
Neither a single cure nor relief of the any of the symptoms associated
with these diseases.
A leading advocate of ESCR when asked how long it will take for
embryonic stem cell based therapies to be ready, gives the following
answer [3] ?My answer is five years,? he said. ?It’s the same
thing as saying I have no idea.?
That is about as honest an answer as you are likely to find in the
debate over ESCR. As honest as it is telling, no one really can say
definitively that ESCR will produce a cure in the next several decades,
or even if one can be produced.
Quoting Mr. Fox in an interview with Katie Couric on April 16 of 2006
?not all politicians are on the same page as scientists.
Parkinson’s experts believe in stem cell research as a promising
prospect for a cure. But the source of those cells ? human embryos
â€" touches a sensitive nerve in the nation’s capitol.
Either Mr. Fox is not being entirely truthful or he does not fully
comprehend the claims he makes in the above statement. He implies that
all scientists are in agreement with his belief that ESCR is the next
great cure all. That politicians, specifically those in Washington are
to be blamed for its lack of progress.
A case against this point of view can be made from a letter written
during the 2004 Presidential election by fifty-seven noted research
scientists and physicians. The signatories coming from such renowned
research facilities as the Mayo Clinic, Georgetown Medical School,
Harvard Medical School, and the National Cancer Institute. In this
letter written to the Kerry - Edwards campaign regarding their
statements on ESCR; these same scientists accuse the campaign of being
irresponsible, dangerous and misleading.
Third, the statements you have made regarding the purported medical
applications of embryonic stem cells reach far beyond any credible
evidence, ignoring the limited state of our knowledge about embryonic
stem cells and the advances in other areas of research that may render
use of these cells unnecessary for many applications. To make such
exaggerated claims, at this stage of our knowledge, is not only
scientifically irresponsible ? it is deceptive and cruel to millions of
patients and their families who hope desperately for cures and have come
to rely on the scientific community for accurate information. (Ad-hoc
group of Scientists Letter to the Kerry ? Edwards Campaign October 27th
2004)
After chastising the political campaign of Kerry-Edwards the letter
continues on to describe how research and treatment of non-controversial
adult stem cells have already treated and cured thousands of dozens of
diseases.
Non-embryonic stem cells have been discovered in many unexpected tissues
? in blood, nerve, fat, skin, muscle, umbilical cord blood, placenta,
even dental pulp ? and dozens of studies indicate that they are far more
versatile than once thought. Use of these cells poses no serious ethical
problem, and may avoid all problems of tissue rejection if stem cells
can be obtained from a patient for use in that same patient. Clinical
use of non-embryonic stem cells has grown greatly in recent years. In
contrast to embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are in established or
experimental use to treat human patients with several dozen conditions,
according to the National Institutes of Health and the National Marrow
Donor Program (Cong. Record, September 9, 2004, pages H6956-7). They
have been or are being assessed in human trials for treatment of spinal
cord injury, Parkinson?s disease, stroke, cardiac damage, multiple
sclerosis, and so on.
Adult Stem Cells are plentiful, easy to obtain and come with out the
moral, ethical and medical baggage of Embryonic Stem Cells. They have
and are being used to treat ?several dozen conditions?, currently.
Again we see that the medically more advanced adult stem cells are a
superior option to those taken at an embryonic state. This is a
scientific fact. The later in the gestation period a cell has achieved
the more stable it becomes. Cells taken at the earliest or blastocyst
stage (5 to 6 days) are highly volatile, difficult to work with and
likely to cause tumors. Later in the development cycle the cell
stabilizes and becomes the type of cell it was designed to be.
Mr. Fox is also wrong in his perception of what pro life is and what is
not. Again a quote from the Katie Couric interview, Mr. Fox in response
to a question about the ?millions of Americans who find the concept of
destroying embryos immoral? :
I would say that, from my opinion, it’s an amazing pro-life thing
to do to take those cells and to endeavor to improve the lives of
millions and billions of people that are alive now and will be alive in
the future by coming up with curesâ€"and treatments for diseases.
His concept of pro life and mine vary greatly. The basic premise to his
answer is that of the pro abortion movement. The idea that lives at
different stages of development are of unequal value and that some
stages are of little to no value. Another way of saying the same thing
would be that the unborn lack some thing that the new born has acquired.
This is the slippery slope we find ourselves on today, and have been
treading ever downward since Roe v. Wade.
All life, the stage of development not withstanding is valuable in the
eyes of our Creator. The Bible teaches that men and women were created
in the image of God
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
Combined with the instruction of the 5th commandment delivered to Moses
in Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder. (NIV)
This makes it imperative that we are to protect life, from its very
beginning to its natural end. Life is sacred gift. This truth is
unrelated to situation or circumstance. Destroying a human embryo is
destroying a living human being. Any middle school biology student know
that life beings when the cell divides. ESCR destroys a human being.
Michael J. Fox knows this. The scientist proponents of ESCR know this.
They have their own reasons for pushing their agenda.
As a fellow PD patient myself, my outlook on life and its sanctity are
very different from that of Mr. Fox. I have learned to look for the
blessing in all things, even PD. It is the difference between a post
modern worldview and a Christian worldview. When one learns that God is
sovereign and allows nothing that can not be used to His glory to
happen, it gives life a new meaning.
Stem Cell Research can be beneficial to human kind when done properly.
It can be extremely destructive when done outside the bounds of
propriety. We must put aside our personal agendas and educate one
another to the facts. Stem Cell Research on Adult stem cells provides
great promise of even more therapies and treatments in the near future.
In conclusion I want to address Mr. Fox directly by saying, Michael you
have done great things with your foundation, all in your own strength.
However you will never find true happiness or peace until you come to
accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. It staggers my imagination
what you could accomplish were you only acting in His will and not your
own. As the Apostle Paul writing from a Roman prison cell explains it;
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every
circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV)
I will pray that you God gives you Michael the wisdom to discern the
truth regarding the destruction of embryos and the sanctity of human
life. That he will soften your heart and that you will choose to let Him
in. That you will continue to do His work, His way.
All in the name of Jesus, Amen
[1] Diana Kapp, ?The $3 Billion Cell Job,? San Francisco, January, 2005
[2] Stuart Newman, Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York
Medical College, ?Averting the Clone Age: Prospects and Perils of Human
Developmental Manipulation,? J. Contemporary Health Law and
Policy,Vol.19:2003, pp.446-447
[3] Jonathan Bor, ?Stem Cells: A Long Road Ahead,? The Baltimore Sun,
3/8/04
Clyde Annach is the operator of the Web Log Aha! Clyde’s been
thinking again! <http://www.clydesthinking.com/ >
Need to Reply?
Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest.
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
