Advances in Adult Stem Cells, are they just as good?
I realized that I have just been blogging about stem cells in general. While I don’t think that is bad, even important at times, the purpose of this blog is to list the different sides of the debate. Many of us know that the center of the debate of the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research revolves around embryonic stem cells and if they are just as good. But, there is another side that isn’t on the forefront, but has a lot of implications in the debate. That is whether or not Adult Stem Cells have as many capabilities as Embryonic Stem Cells. For many years the debate was fueled by the embryonic advocates saying that Adult Stem Cells weren’t really capable of turning into other types of cells and were therefore limited in what they could become. Well, allow me to list the reasons why many in the scientific world are changing their mind.
It should be noted that more money is given to Adult Stem Cell Research (the NIH gave $190 Million last year compared to the $24.8 million given for Embryonic Stem Cells). But, what many of the Adult Stem Cell critics are missing is that they have been used in many treatments. 72 adult stem cell treatments have been performed at last count, while a whopping 0 have been performed from Embryonic Stem Cells. Adult stem cells are used in bone-marrow transplants and even treat certain cases of leukemia and other blood disorders. There are also treatments being made for heart attacks, liver, bone and brain diseases and disorders.
“Osiris, which grew out of research by scientists at Case Western University in Cleveland, is using stem cells from bone-marrow donors to target, among other maladies, heart disease, specifically heart attacks. It is in early-stage human testing of a therapy in which heart-attack patients are intravenously injected with stem cells that are said to migrate to the heart and replace damaged cells.” - The Washington Post
John Hopkins University Professor, Saul J. Sharkis, who has mad advances in Adult Stem Cell Research, was very surprised at what has been accomplished in Adult Stem Cell Research. He says, “It is mind-blowing stuff,” and “I never would have thought this would be possible … Preposterous. Not Possible. No Way.”
Obviously many in the scientific community are excited and surprised by these findings. If this really is the answer, it could be the end to the debate over the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research as we know it. It is definitely an exciting possibility that has already yielded some great successes.
December 19th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
It makes me wonder why so many people are still so persistent about embryonic stem cell research, even though from all accounts it hasn’t been proven effective at all. But if what you’re saying is right, that they have successfully used adult stem cells, why don’t we focus on what works instead of looking for something else. But I guess that’s human nature, not accepting when something actually works but instead looking for an easier root. You almost have to wonder if some of these scientists are just in it for the potential fame if embryonic stem cells do prove effective…
December 30th, 2006 at 1:27 am
[…] While I would definately understand frustration on the part of those who support such research, I cannot completely understand their hatred. What annoys me the most is they always make the accusation that President Bush has “prevented the most promising of stem cell research.” Most promising? I agree that there is potential promise, but the only one that has yielded successful results is adult stem cells. They have had 72 successful treatments, compared to embryonic stem cells whopping 0. They have been used in so many things and many scientists say they are astonished at the new found capabalities of adult stem cells. They can be obtained from numerous parts of any one of us (which means obtaining them are cheaper). There are just so many things better about it. So I can see the frustration, but could one wonder “Did George W. Bush do Stem Cell Research a favor by diverting money to a more promising stem cell field?” The answer in my opinion is a resounding…..It would appear so. Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. […]