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Now that most of us are stuffed, gift receipients and feeling content, I wanted to send for your info the post I sent in reply to National Institutes of Health asking for public comment on stem cell guidelines. As a point of argument, I compared donation of organs to stem cell donation. Feel free to use any of this post to write, e-mail, call NIH with your comments. I think the deadline is in mid to late January 2000. Can anyone repost the surface mail address or phone # for those who prefer that over e-mail? Jeanette Fuhr 49/47/44? ---------- From: Leo Fuhr <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Cc: [log in to unmask] Subject: Stem Cell Guidelines Date: Monday, December 20, 1999 12:53 PM I am responding to the National Institutes of Health request for comments regarding the funding of research in the area of human pluripotent stem cells. As I understand the current restrictions on federal funding in the area of stem cell research, the question(s) being raised is whether the cells are harvested from excess embryos that are to be discarded by couple(s) who had more than enough viable fertilized eggs for the successful implantation of said eggs to allow a pregnancy to occur or from other sources such as those derived from spontaneous abortion or miscarriages. In my opinion, as long as the couples are not paid for the use of these stem cells, the donation is similar to that of organ donation by families of deceased relatives who no longer need the organ(s). Recipients of donated organs are often on life support or have a limited quality of life unless these organs are received. In the same way, patients who have chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, etc. or who suffer from damaged spinal cords are likely to improve greatly and live more productive and higher quality lives if stem cell research is not limited in funding from federal funds. I am 49, married, mother of a 23 and an 18 year old, an educator, power of attorney for my elderly parents and diagnosed in 1997 with Parkinson's disease. At present, I am being treated for the symptoms of rigidity, stiffness, problems with fine motor skills and balance and fatigue. My Parkinson's specialist at Kansas University Medical Center advises me that there is no cure for the disease and that the cell death will continue in the part of my brain that produces dopamine, a chemical necessary to transmit motor and movement messages in my body. At some future point, the medications will not be able to control my symptoms and I could find myself immobile, bedfast and even unable to chew, swallow or speak. For me and the over one million diagnosed Parkinson's patients in North America/Canada, time doesn't stand still. We are desparately in need of research developments that could improve treatments or even cure the nerve cell deaths in our bodies. Stem cell research is a vital part of the kind of research that could help us and other neurological disease patients. I am visiting my senator, "Kit" Bond, R-MO, in his Washington DC office on January 6, 2000 and intend to give him a copy of this letter. He and his health issues staffer, Barry Dehlin have been supportive of Parkinson's research. If someone from National Institutes of Health would like to be at that meeting, please call Senator Bond's office, 202-224-1537. Or I can be reached through Jan 1, 2000 at home 660-359-3100 or after Jan 2, 2000 at the Residence Inn, Army/Navy Drive, Pentagon City where we will be registered: Mr. & Mrs. Leo Fuhr. I would be more than happy to visit with an NIH scientist, administrator or employee about my feelings on the stem cell research funding. Sincerely, Jeanette R. Fuhr 1802 Crestview Terrace Trenton, MO 64683 e-mail:<[log in to unmask]>