Based on information supplied by Wisconsin Right to Life and Dr. David A. Prentice

No Help From Embryonic (Humans) Research

federal minister Eric Abetz, noted recent reports about breakthroughs in the use of stem cells from non-embryonic sources, known as "adult" stem cells.

"By contrast, there has not been a single scientific success in the field of embryonic stem cell research," he was quoted as saying Monday.

"It is my personal belief that scientists should concentrate their efforts on adult stem cell research, which has shown very promising results, and abandon embryonic stem cell research, which involves the destruction of, and experimentation on, human life."

CNSNews.com

"These adult olfactory stem cells appear to have the same ability as embryonic stem cells in giving rise to many different cell types but have the advantage that they can be obtained from all individuals, even older people who might be most in need of stem cell therapies," he said.

Mackay-Sim noted that when stem cells were transplanted into the person they had come from in the first place, the problem of immune system rejection was avoided.

It was also very simple to extract the cells from the nose and relatively easy to grow and multiply them, he said.

CNSNews.com

In Maryland, as in other states, false hopes of nonexistent cures for numerous diseases were hung on embryonic stem cell research, while productive and ethical adult stem cell research was generally ignored. In Washington State, a similar bill was defeated. The Washington State bill tried to draw a distinction between different forms of cloning but pro-life forces in the state were able to show there is little, if no, difference. In Texas, numerous pieces of legislation are moving through the legislature, either to promote or stop embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells are not only unethical but have also produced no viable treatments or cures. If state legislatures are dead set on investing valuable taxpayers' dollars they should look at adult stem cells and other research that has already provided beneficial results.

The Family Research Council

More and more frequently medical breakthroughs are made with adult stem cell research--success that has conspicuously eluded embryonic stem cell treatments. Perhaps Senator Specter is unaware that adult stem cell clinical trials are currently being conducted treating Hodgkin's Lymphoma. A search at http://clinicaltrials.gov shows 21 current clinical trials using adult stem cells (bone marrow, peripheral blood and cord blood) for treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Tony Perkins, 2005