Stem Cell Research - Educate me on it.

[Neoma]

I don't know much about it.

[Dr Ron]

1. Here's some articles

http://kerrylibrary.forumflash.com/index.php?showtopic=100

[buddysmellgood]

2. Tell us what you know.

[Neoma]

3. Well..

It cures a bunch of stuff, bush is being a asshat not funding it...
There is a bunch of rumors on it and most are false..
aka fetusus..

[buddysmellgood]

8. Not all stem cell come from embryos. There are adult stem cells and cell

precursers. Some stem cells will only evolve into a particular kind of cell. The embryonic stem cells are interesting because they can turn into almost any kind of cell if one can figure out how to control them.
Embryonic stem cells are taken from discarded embryos. It's really like an organ transplant but you don't see Repbulicans trying to shut that down.
We need better access to these cells so we can study them and figure out how to heal people with them. It is extremely difficult to preserve stem cells and then get them to researchers. The vast majority of them die in the effort to preserve them.

That's what I know, more or less.

[WillowTree]

18. You do realize, of course...

....that the Federal government is, indeed, funding stem cell research. The line that "Bush has banned stem cell research" or "we're not funding stem cell research" is a myth and when people find out that it's being seriously misrepresented, it does far more to hurt our side than just being up front about it.

Stem cell research is NOT being banned. Even embroyonic stem cell research is not banned. But, because of issues that a lot of people have about misuse of human embryos, the government is only funding research being done on a very limited number of embroyonic stem cell "lines" which have already been approved. Any other research being done using embroyonic stem cells has to be privately funded, and it's prohibitively expensive.

The government is, however, providing substantial funding for research with adult and cord blood stem cells and some really amazing things are being found. Of course, there's never enough funding for this kind of thing, but I get really nervous when I hear people saying that it's not being funded or it's being banned because that's just not so and saying so makes us look bad.

[Enquiringkitty]

4. basically, Stem cells are cells which have not been "programed" to be any

particular type of cell. If injected...say...in the spinal cord, it will take on the characteristics of the surrounding cells and multiply....thus replacing damaged cells and hopefully healing the injury.

The problem comes in when how the cells come about are brought up.
Stem cells are zygote or embryo cells. The one we are allowed to use now are ones which were retrieved and fertilized for couples and they weren't used or were retrieved from fetus' which had died and miscarried.
Christians say they are living beings with potential and researchers say that with the embryos of couple who have had children, the ones still frozen and unwanted will just go into the incinerator like any other tissue which is removed from the body....why not use them to help people.

[Dr Ron]

5. John Kerry on Stem Cells

From the Office of Senator Kerry
Senator Kerry, Bipartisan Coalition Urge President Bush To Lift Ban on Stem Cell Research
59 Senators Join Together to Push Thoughtful Answers to Difficult Issue
Friday, July 20, 2001

Senator John F. Kerry said, "This letter is an indication of the overwhelmingly strong support in the United States Senate for a reasonable and thoughtful approach to lifting the ban on stem cell research -- and reflects the resolve of a diverse cross section of the Senate to take difficult medical decisions out of the hands of politicians and put them back with doctors and ethicists where they belong."

"Leaders with deep religious convictions, leaders of the scientific community, and those of us who've watched loved ones suffer from diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease, together understand why we need to lift the ban on stem cell research. The current ban ties the hands of the medical community and prevents them from committing the resources needed to the research offers hope to millions of Americans suffering today. We can not in good conscience delay or deny the world's best scientists from moving towards the day when we have cures for these devastating diseases, and we want to work with the Bush Administration to pursue a thoughtful, expeditious, and nonpartisan answer to the situation in which we find ourselves today."

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is a co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Act of 2001 – a bill to allow federally-funded scientists to derive stem cells from human embryos if those embryos are obtained from IVF clinics, if the donor has provided informed consent and the embryo was no longer needed for fertility treatments. For more information, please see attached letter.

July 19, 2001 The Honorable George W. Bush President 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to urge you to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
We believe this research has tremendous promise to lead to possible cures and treatments for many devastating diseases, and it cannot afford to be delayed.

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research have argued that it is unnecessary because adult stem cells can be used effectively in research to pursue treatments or cures for disease. But prevailing expert scientific opinion, most recently highlighted in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that you commissioned, states that it is far too early to know if adult stem cells have the same potential for disease treatment as embryonic stem cells. For diseases that cannot be treated with adult stem cells, impeding embryonic stem cell research risks unnecessary delay for patients who may die or endure needless suffering while the effectiveness of adult stem cells is evaluated. This work could impact the lives of millions of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research will enable our best and brightest researchers, those supported by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, to explore the enormous biomedical potential of stem cells. By funding this research itself rather than leaving it to private corporations and individuals, the federal government can retain the power to regulate use and standard practice. Furthermore, if we adhere to the guidelines issued by the NIH, we can protect against abuse with regard to the research. Peer-reviewed federal funding combined with public oversight is our best assurance of the highest quality research, performed with the greatest dignity and moral responsibility.

Under these circumstances, it would be tragic to waste this promising scientific opportunity to potentially help millions of people in need – for we must bear in mind that the embryos used in this research are produced in invitro fertilization clinics and if not used for humanitarian research may otherwise be discarded. We ought to realize their promise of life, rather than lose it altogether.

We recognize that you are giving this issue serious consideration. We urge you to move forward and support the current policy of allowing federal funding for stem cell research. We cannot afford to hesitate at the edge of this medical frontier, the benefits for our future are far too compelling.

Sincerely, John Kerry Arlen Spector Edward Kennedy Orrin Hatch Harry Reid Olympia Snowe Evan Bayh Richard Durbin Tim Johnson Patty Murray James Jeffords Bill Nelson Robert Torricelli Christopher Dodd Maria Cantwell Hillary Rodham Clinton Ron Wyden Lincoln Chafee Daniel Inouye Gordon Smith John McCain Paul Wellstone Patrick Leahy Susan Collins John Edwards Carl Levin Kent Conrad Joe Biden Jeff Bingaman Charles Schumer Barbara Boxer Bob Graham Daniel Akaka Joe Liberman Ben Nelson Dianne Feinstein Tom Daschle Tom Harkin Zell Miller John Warner Max Baucus Strom Thurmond Max Cleland Richard Lugar Russell Feingold Jon Corzine Mark Dayton Ted Stevens Herb Kohl Jean Carnahan Byron Dorgan Paul Sarbanes Jay Rockefeller Ernest Hollings Debbie Stabenow Jack Reed Mary Landrieu Tom Carper Barbara Mikulski

Contact: Massachusetts media email [email protected]. All other press inquiries email [email protected].

http://kerry.senate.gov/text/cfm/record.cfm?id=181307

[Dr Ron]

6. From Ron Reagan, Jr.

ranscript of Ron Reagan at Democratic National Convention, July 27, 2004

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

A few of you may be surprised to see someone with my last name showing up to speak at a Democratic convention. Let me assure you, I am not here to make a political speech, and the topic at hand should not—must not—have anything to do with partisanship.

I am here tonight to talk about the issue of research into what may be the greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime: the use of embryonic stem cells—cells created using the material of our own bodies—to cure a wide range of fatal and debilitating illnesses: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, lymphoma, spinal cord injuries, and much more. Millions are afflicted. Every year, every day, tragedy is visited upon families across the country, around the world.

Now, we may be able to put an end to this suffering. We only need to try. Some of you already know what I’m talking about when I say “embryonic stem cell research.” Others of you are probably thinking, hmm, that’s quite a mouthful, what is this all about?

Let me try and paint as simple a picture as I can while still doing justice to the incredible science involved. Let’s say that ten or so years from now you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. There is currently no cure and drug therapy, with its attendant side-effects, can only temporarily relieve the symptoms.

Now, imagine going to a doctor who, instead of prescribing drugs, takes a few skin cells from your arm. The nucleus of one of your cells is placed into a donor egg whose own nucleus has been removed. A bit of chemical or electrical stimulation will encourage your cell’s nucleus to begin dividing, creating new cells which will then be placed into a tissue culture. Those cells will generate embryonic stem cells containing only your DNA, thereby eliminating the risk of tissue rejection. These stem cells are then driven to become the very neural cells that are defective in Parkinson’s patients. And finally, those cells—with your DNA—are injected into your brain where they will replace the faulty cells whose failure to produce adequate dopamine led to the Parkinson’s disease in the first place.

In other words, you’re cured. And another thing, these embryonic stem cells, they could continue to replicate indefinitely and, theoretically, can be induced to recreate virtually any tissue in your body. How’d you like to have your own personal biological repair kit standing by at the hospital? Sound like magic? Welcome to the future of medicine.

By the way, no fetal tissue is involved in this process. No fetuses are created, none destroyed. This all happens in the laboratory at the cellular level.

Now, there are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable future, who would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research. They argue that interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even one that will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual fetus, is tantamount to murder. A few of these folks, needless to say, are just grinding a political axe and they should be ashamed of themselves. But many are well-meaning and sincere. Their belief is just that, an article of faith, and they are entitled to it.

But it does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to forestall the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we abandon those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?

It is a hallmark of human intelligence that we are able to make distinctions. Yes, these cells could theoretically have the potential, under very different circumstances, to develop into human beings—that potential is where their magic lies. But they are not, in and of themselves, human beings. They have no fingers and toes, no brain or spinal cord. They have no thoughts, no fears. They feel no pain. Surely we can distinguish between these undifferentiated cells multiplying in a tissue culture and a living, breathing person—a parent, a spouse, a child.

I know a child—well, she must be 13 now—I’d better call her a young woman. She has fingers and toes. She has a mind. She has memories. She has hopes. And she has juvenile diabetes.

Like so many kids with this disease, she has adjusted amazingly well. The insulin pump she wears—she’s decorated hers with rhinestones. She can insert her own catheter needle. She has learned to sleep through the blood drawings in the wee hours of the morning. She’s very brave. She is also quite bright and understands full well the progress of her disease and what that might ultimately mean: blindness, amputation, diabetic coma. Every day, she fights to have a future.

What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now? What might we tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given an opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition, we lost our nerve? That even though we knew better, we did nothing?

And, should we fail, how will we feel if, a few years from now, a more enlightened generation should fulfill the promise of embryonic stem cell therapy? Imagine what they would say of us who lacked the will.

No, we owe this young woman and all those who suffer—we owe ourselves—better than that. We are better than that. A wiser people, a finer nation. And for all of us in this fight, let me say: we will prevail.

The tide of history is with us. Like all generations who have come before ours, we are motivated by a thirst for knowledge and compelled to see others in need as fellow angels on an often difficult path, deserving of our compassion.

In a few months, we will face a choice. Yes, between two candidates and two parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride forward for the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past, between reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is our moment, and we must not falter.

Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote for embryonic stem cell research. Thank you for your time.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

7. What I know is that it cures a lot, and is already available to the rich,

for anybody who can afford a trip to Lisbon can avail themselves of stem cell therapy. When Shrub made it illegal in America, he only made it illegal for those American's who are too poor to travel abroad for health care. If the Drunken Shrub Twins get sick, say, for instance, if they drink until their livers are pickeled, stem cell therapy is still an option for them. Bottom line, the expected life spans of the rich just went up, ours didn't.

[crimson333]

9. not true atleast were I am

I work in a stem cell cancer clinic in Alabama as a social worker and no one is ever turned away for being poor. They get equal treatment.

[Xithras]

20. Stem cell research is perfectly legal in the US

The feds won't fund research into it, but there's a ton of research going on in private labs and, soon, in state funded labs in California.

[freethought]

10. Stem Cells are front and Center of Biological Science

One of the biggest question to biological sciences is how genes turn on and off. Rather what genes turn on or off to make a heart and what genes turn on or off to make a liver. As some posters have explained very well stem cells have not been programed to be anything, yet. It is believed that by researching them they can unlock some of these on/off switches and with time do all kinds of amazing things. However, as said, the scientists need access to these cells. There are other types of stem cell other than embryonic but embryonic stem cells seem to be the best for research.

[Kansas Wyatt]

11. Who benefits if no cures are found?

That is the #1 reason why they do not want to fund it.

[crimson333]

12. there is so much more money to be made with a cure

and other research

politicians are protecting their career, by appeasing the uniformed who think they will abort babies for stem cells

[Kansas Wyatt]

13. I was referring to the pharmaceutical industry....

There are billions being made off of drugs to treat, yet do not cure, diseases. If Diabetes alone is cured, billions will be lost for the pharmaceuticals.

[crimson333]

14. I was too

if they find a cure for Diabetes the will make more.I also think that they get a bad rap. I work with many drug reps in social service, and they bend over backwards to aid patients insured/ and no insurance.

of course I only speak of the ones I work with.

oddly enough drug reps of pharm. companies are people to, and many of them have family and friends with the disease they are working on to cure.

[Kansas Wyatt]

15. I have several years of experience with Diabetes...

And NOBODY ever gave a damn when there were times that I could not afford the insulin, syringes, test strips, and all supplies associated with it. Pharmaceutical companies do not want a cash cow to be cured, and lose millions of people depending on them and spending billions for insulin, oral prescriptions, syringes, insulin pumps, test strips, testing meters, and all of the supplies associated with it.

Today, it's all about the money and how much of it can be made when it comes to those who run the pharmaceutical companies. I'm sure there are good people who work for these companies, but they do not exactly have the power to influence a corporate friendly Shrub.

[crimson333]

16. sorry to hear that

I know health problems suck. Diabetes runs through my family as well. My parents and Grand parent have it. I have had multiple sclerosis for 20 years,so I figure I will be adding diabetes as well one day.:(

I don't know your financial situation, or if you have ever talked with a social worker. My job right now is to help find ways for people to get medication than cannot afford it, in oncology. I usually get my help from churches, or needymeds.com(if you have no prescription coverage, and meet the financial guidlines. However, I have never looked to see if there are any diabetic stuff on that site.

[Johonny]

19. Science

Anyways it's hard to believe if we ever truely understand stem cells that no cures will be found. Basically it maybe really hard to understand to mechanism involved in turning on and off genes, but if we do understand this (and it seems more reasonable that we will than say Townes postulation that we will understand the universe before the big bang) it unlocks an amazing amount of power to control cell growth.

The Administrations current stand on stem cell research has clearly hurt growth in the field, but then I can't see a field where that arguement could not be made. Bush has been bad for science.

[wadestock]

17. Education 101

The pukes are against knowledge and education because that means the MIDDLE CLASS stands that much more chance of digging into the profits of the upper elite.

That is why they are against ANYTHING to do with real progress.