 |
 |
Thank you, Murray, for providing this interesting article on stem cell research from LifeSiteNews.com. These people, apparently, stand for the proposition that if you repeat a lie often enough, people will start to believe it. First of all, the article reports on Geron's application to the FDA for permission to use embryonic stem cells. However, the cited articles purport to talk about fetal (not embryonic) stem cell research. A quick glance at the underlying article in the NEJM indicates that it had absolutely nothing to do with stem cell research (embryonic or fetal) at all. It reports on a study (funded by the American government) concerning transplantation of embryonic neurons, not stem cells. Furthermore, it indicates that the group under age 60 that actually received the transplanted cells fared significantly better than the the group that received only a sham surgery. No mention is made of any "catastrophic" or "horrific" results. The article clearly indicates results that would call for additional research. There are legitimate arguments to be made both for and against embryonic stem cell research. However, distributing articles by liars that purposely fabricate information does nothing to advance our knowledge of anything. Gary > -----Original Message----- > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Murray Charters > Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 12:15 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: FDA Mulling Permission for use of Embryonic Stem > Cells in Humans Despite Previous Catastrophes > > > FDA Mulling Permission for use of Embryonic Stem Cells in > Humans Despite Previous Catastrophes > > MENLO PARK, March 17, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Geron, a > California-based biotechnology company has applied to the FDA > for permission to begin using stem cells derived from human > embryos for research into spinal cord injuries. The research > would focus on using the cells in animal trials, for early > stage spinal cord damage, and the company says they expect to > move on to human trials sometime in 2006 or 2007. > > The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA is considering > the application while stipulating that the research > concentrate on animal trials until "safety" can be assured > for human trials. No mention is made of consideration of the > ethics of using living human beings in experimental research. > > No mention is made either of the inherent difficulties with > using embryo cells for treatments. Such cells are derived > from a different human being with a different genetic > make-up. The body of a patient treats them as foreign > invaders and stimulates a powerful immune rejection response. > Patients must spend the rest of their lives on the kind of > anti- rejection medication used following organ transplants. > Many researchers have discounted the possibility of using > embryo cells in direct therapies for this reason. > > Patients treated with embryo cells have experienced > disastrous and incurable side effects. The cells' generative > powers continue to develop with no way to stop them once they > are introduced into the body of a patient. However, despite > the findings of previous studies with Parkinson's patients, > which were called "catastrophic" and "horrific" by the > scientists involved, Geron researchers are pressing ahead. > > It is being found, furthermore, that the existing stem cell > lines, because of the genetic instability of such cells, are > developing genetic abnormalities and are useless for > research. Instead of acting as a warning against using them > in therapies, this has spurred more insistence on the > creation of new stem cell lines. > > See related LifeSite coverage: > > Study Demonstrates 'Catastrophic' Side Effect Of Foetal > Tissue Transplants http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2001/mar/01030801.html > > Aborted Foetal Tissue Useless And Dangerous As Parkinson's > Treatment http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/dec/02120301.html > > Fetal Tissue Transplants Cause Disaster Again for Parkinson's > Patients in Experimental Treatment > http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/aug/03082503.html > > SOURCE: Lifesite, Canada > http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/mar/04031708.html > > * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn