The Truth About Stem Cells
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, May 21, 2012
The secular world seems at last to be catching up to the Church in recognizing the limits of embryonic stem cell research.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Michael J. Fox, ESCR’s most prominent celebrity advocate, admits such research isn’t looking very promising.
He still doesn’t see the moral objection, nor has he recanted his previous support, but he at least acknowledges it isn’t nearly so promising as ethical avenues of research.
other avenues of research have grown and multiplied and become as much or more promising. So, an answer may come from stem cell research but it’s more than likely to come from another area,
As we’ve discussed here often (see here, here and here for example), researchers largely turned their backs on ESCR long ago because it simply isn’t as promising as adult stem cell research and other therapies.
It’s nice to hear it confirmed beyond pro-life venues.
A Different Type of Stem Cell
Posted by Arwen Mosher in News on Thursday, November 04, 2010
Along with many pro-lifers, I was saddened to read recently that researchers at the University of Michigan have created our state’s first embryonic stem cell line. But today I read about a different stem cell development that made me happy.
It can be frustrating to read news articles about stem cell research because it seems like most coverage fails to mention the fact that adult stem cell research... READ MORE
More Great Stem Cell News
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Thursday, September 30, 2010
Two drug companies are using ethically obtained stem cells in research to create tailor made medicines for heart disease, Parkinson’s and the like.
This is thanks to successful experiments such as these:
Six months ago, Roche Holding AG scientists disrupted the rhythmic beating of heart muscle made from stem cells by adding a cancer drug to it, duplicating in the laboratory a side effect previously only seen in patients.
The experiment showed that human tissue grown from stem cells can mimic side effects of medicines seen in people.
Wesley J. Smith, at whose blog I found this article, points out this kind of research will reduce the need for animal testing, too.
Stem Cell Developments
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Embryonic Stem Cells have been in the news again.
Last week a federal district judge issued an injunction against NIH using federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.
He reasoned that the President’s executive order permitting such funding contravenes federal law, at least pending the outcome of a case working its way through the courts.
You can read more about that here.
In related news, a... READ MORE
Tell Us Your Good News
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Friday, July 30, 2010
Need some good news? I do, so here’s some:
I’m pleased to report that Prof. Kenneth Howell—that teacher fired from the U. of Illinois for explaining Catholic teaching in a class on Catholicism—will be offered his job back.
Not happy news, exactly, but better-than-we’d hoped: the Gulf oil spill will have less environmental impact than expected.
I meant to post this earlier in the summer but never... READ MORE
‘The Stem Cell Debate Is Over’
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Friday, April 03, 2009
Dr. Oz recently explained to Oprah, Michael J. Fox and all of Oprah’s viewers why we’re close to a cure for Parkinson’s—and why it won’t be embryonic stem cells that achieve it. Watch this clip and say some out of season alleluias for the truth coming out in a popular medium.
The President Bans Embryo Destruction
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, March 16, 2009
Would it surprise you to learn the President banned federal funding of embryo destruction two days after he lifted the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research?
How could he both fund and ban funding of the same research?
And what have we been fighting about all these years if that’s the case?
For years—even before the debate over embryonic stem cell research—Congress... READ MORE
Backwards
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, March 09, 2009
This morning the President rescinded President Bush’s ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
What has gone un-reported is that President Obama’s new executive order undid not one, but two, Bush policies.
He not only lifted the ban on taxpayer funding of embryo-destructive research, he also rescinded the executive order funding ethically acceptable alternatives (see the final sentence... READ MORE
A Wave of Good News
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Thursday, September 25, 2008
We win.
That, according to a friend highly placed in the field of bioethics, is the significance of this story from this morning’s Washington Post.
After The Turning Tide, I didn’t expect to talk about stem cells again so soon, but who could resist such good news?
Scientists are reporting today that they have overcome a major obstacle to using a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells, bolstering... READ MORE
The Turning Tide
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, September 22, 2008
Wonderful news!
James Thomson, the scientist who first isolated embryonic stem cells, is abandoning that research in favor of research using non-embryonic sources.
If any need confirmation of the rapidly changing landscape, it should come with this announcement planned for the summit: The two Madison companies co-founded by Thomson have merged and shifted their focus to products involving non-embryonic stem cells.
There has been no ethical conversion, I don’t think. What has changed is that cloning and embryonic stem cell research aren’t working, while adult stem cell therapies and cell-reprogramming technology are. (Here’s just the latest adult stem cell therapy: using tooth cells to help stroke victims.)
With a polite nod to Wesley J. Smith for the story.
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