Posted on 11/09/2006 7:06:54 PM PST by Coleus
The vagueness of the term "stem cell research" is one of the biggest problems in the ongoing stem cell debate. Writers, debaters, scientists, public figures and politicians should differentiate between "embryonic stem cell research" and "nonembryonic stem cell research" in order to keep the meanings clear.
What is the truth behind the claims of embryonic versus nonembryonic stem cells? The Aug. 7 issue of Time magazine attempted to answer this question, but it overlooked some key points in this politically charged debate.
First, researchers do not yet know which form of stem cells -- embryonic or nonembryonic -- will offer the most success in treating cancer, Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's, heart disease or spinal-cord injuries. Most likely, different types of cells and treatments will be needed for each condition. Well-documented research has revealed that there may be benefits of one form of stem cell over the other.
For instance it has been clearly demonstrated that nonembryonic stem cells -- which include umbilical-cord cells, placental derived cells, as well as adult stem cells found in places such as blood, bone marrow, skin and breast -- do not cause cancer in humans. Also, if non-ESCs are obtained from the patient or a family member donor with a matching tissue type, immune rejection of the non-ESCs can be virtually eliminated.
By contrast, research has shown embryonic stem cells (ESCs), derived from embryos destroyed in the process, have great potential to produce cancer in humans.
Also, with ESCs it is necessary to employ techniques to avoid immune rejection of ESCs. One technique, called somatic cell nuclear transfer, is being attempted worldwide to produce customized ESCs. As Time noted in a related article in the Aug. 7 issue, somatic cell nuclear transfer is a "term researchers use to avoid the
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
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