Posted on 01/01/2007 8:51:58 PM PST by Coleus
Adult stem cells continue to outperform embryonic stem cells in medical applications.
Three examples:
Stem cells grown from amniotic fluid have been successful in developing heart valves potentially helping more than 1 million babies worldwide with heart defects. The cells are obtained by amniocentesis (placing a needle into fluid around a growing baby, not damaging that baby at all). This research is from Switzerland.
The University of Minnesota developed an important type of lung cell using umbilical cord blood cells. The lung cells are responsible for secreting a substance that allows the air sacs in the lungs to stay open, helping premature babies survive.
Adult stem cells have been used to successfully ease symptoms of muscular dystrophy in dogs. This research shows great potential for treatments in human patients suffering from muscular dystrophy.
As for embryonic stem cells, despite all the hype, the number of medical benefits to date continues to be zero. We should pour our research money into adult stem cell research, which is completely ethical.
I wonder if the Man Upstairs has something to do with this?
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