Playing God? Benefits and challenges abound in human embryo research

While most people believe that reproductive human cloning equates to unethical practice, advocates of therapeutic cloning and stem cell therapy have been left dismayed at the lack of distinction between the two areas in the recent UN declaration on the subject. Datamonitor’s Victoria Williams assesses the possible future application of cloning and stem cell techniques. Continue Reading »

The Pope and Parkinsons – (Stem Cells)

Pope John Paul II was, given his condition, incredibly strong. Yet, slowly, Parkinson’s’ disease took its predictable progressive course.

The disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in an important region of the brain called the substancia nigra, which helps control smooth muscle movements. They produce the brain chemical called dopamine, which is key in coordinated muscle action. Continue Reading »

Maryland must explore stem cells’ promise

OVERWHELMING scientific opinion supports embryonic stem cell research, and many believe it has the potential to revolutionize medicine.

The American Medical Association and the National Academy of Sciences have endorsed embryonic stem cell research, and a statewide survey conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies in February determined that 78 percent of Marylanders support stem cell research using surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics. Continue Reading »

Schmidt’s Courage Inspiring, His Influence Far-Reaching

Spinal cord patients will gather to urge lawmakers to pass paralysis act

All Chaz Southard was looking for that August day in 2002 was a little respite from the heat. After chatting with a few lifeguards on a crowded Plum Island beach, the experienced surfer walked torso-deep into the Atlantic and plunged hands-first into the cool, salty sea. Continue Reading »

Pushing for a miracle

Spinal cord patients will gather to urge lawmakers to pass paralysis act

All Chaz Southard was looking for that August day in 2002 was a little respite from the heat. After chatting with a few lifeguards on a crowded Plum Island beach, the experienced surfer walked torso-deep into the Atlantic and plunged hands-first into the cool, salty sea.

A strong undertow lifted his feet, and his head struck a sandbar created by the changing tide. The collision affected his fourth cervical vertebra, bruising his spinal cord. Continue Reading »

Moving Stem Cells Front and Center

IRVINE, Calif. – Hans S. Keirstead might be the Pied Piper of stem cells – and not just because he makes rats walk. He also helped lure Californians to the polls last fall to approve spending $3 billion of the state’s money on embryonic stem cell research over the next decade. But he has critics who worry that he may be leading their new field too far, too soon into uncharted territory.Dr. Keirstead, an assistant professor at the University of California campus here, has been making paralyzed rats walk again, using a treatment based on human embryonic stem cells. Continue Reading »

Stem-cell research still an embryonic business

Whoever learns to control embryonic stem cells that can morph into healthy human cells could be standing on a gold mine: Four million Americans have damaged brain cells from Alzheimer’s, and a million people each year suffer tissue damage from heart attacks.

No one doubts that those people — and millions more who suffer from Parkinson’s, diabetes or stroke — would pay big money to restore their quality of life. But that powerful profit motive hasn’t pushed stem-cell research quickly toward to development of new treatments. Continue Reading »

Ethicists Wary of New Stem Cell Proposals

WASHINGTON — A member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and two Columbia University scientists are promoting new research methods that could, they say, resolve the contentious stem cell debate.

Aspects of the proposals have received support from critics of stem cell research, including a Catholic archbishop. But many religious opponents of stem cell research still remain skeptical, saying these new approaches could raise more questions than they answer. Continue Reading »

Stem cell basics, minus opinions

There are few controversies that polarize individuals as does the one surrounding stem cell research. I will attempt to take a very difficult subject and educate readers about it.

The human body is made of approximately 220 different types of cells. Each is the foundation for the development of all of our tissues and organs. Once these different cells develop into specific tissues and organs, we have an embryo. Continue Reading »

California’s New Stem-Cell Initiative Is Already Raising Concerns

By JOHN M. BRODER – New York Times

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26 – As California moves to begin a lushly financed program of embryonic stem cell research, medical ethicists and other skeptics are concerned that the $3 billion that state voters approved for the endeavor could become a bonanza for private profiteers.

Critics say the ballot measure that passed by a wide margin on Nov. 2 contains inadequate safeguards to ensure public oversight Continue Reading »