Many conservative groups are applauding a breakthrough stem cell method that doesn’t result in the destruction of human embryos.
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(Photo: AP Images)Graphic explains latest stem cell method.
Scientists announced Tuesday that they have generated human stem cells with embryonic qualities using human skin cells and not embryos.
Until now, embryonic stem cells genetically matching a person had to be extracted from cloned human embryos using “nuclear transfer” – the same controversial technique that was used to clone Dolly the sheep. The process, which required the destruction of human embryos in order for the stem cells to be harvested, is considered a major ethical concern by pro-life groups and one of the driving forces behind the stem cell debate.
The breakthrough stem cell method, however, uses a technique called “direct programming,” in which genes added to the skins cells reprogram the chromosomes and revert the cells back to an embryonic state. Essentially, the reprogrammed cell is positioned to act like an embryonic stem cell and turn into one of many cell types of the human body that could be used to treat debilitating diseases.
The new work is documented in papers from two independent teams who performed the research. One paper, based on the research from a team led by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University in Japan, will be published in the Nov. 30 edition of the scientific journal Cell. The second paper is from a team led by Junying Yu, working in the lab of stem-cell pioneer James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It will be published Thursday in the online edition of Science magazine
In response to the announcement, conservatives lauded the scientific advancement as proof to their argument that stem cell solutions can be both effective and ethical.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said the president was “very pleased” to hear the reports because the new method does not cross the “ethical line.”
"By avoiding techniques that destroy life, while vigorously supporting alternative approaches, President Bush is encouraging scientific advancement within ethical boundaries," said Fratto in a written statement.
He noted that President Bush was the first president to make federal funds available for human embryonic stem cell research and has a policy that allows only embryonic stem cell lines created before August 2001 to be used.
Bush has twice vetoed Congressional bills to overturn that policy.
“The President believes medical problems can be solved without compromising either the high aims of science or the sanctity of human life," he added.
Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, who recently garnered the endorsement of National Right to Life Committee, said in an issued statement that the breakthrough was “exciting news.”
“That makes 73 breakthroughs for adult and cord blood research to date. There are still no embryonic stem cell breakthroughs,” said the former Tennessee senator, who opposes embryonic stem cell research, according to NRLC.
Adult stem cells have provided therapies for many chronic illnesses, including ovarian and breast cancer, Juvenile Diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, and Sickle Cell Anemia, said Thompson.
“Today's announcement is just one more indication that our current policy in relying only on adult stem cells is working,” Thompson added.
Aside from ethical objections that have been raised over the destruction of human embryos, there are also problems associated with embryonic stem cell research because it requires women’s eggs. Continue >>
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torus -
I forgot to put the quotation marks on the first paragraph, which is a quote from your post.
torus -
What I find most amusing, to be frank, is that before this development it was constantly pointed out by the anti- front that stem cell research had provided essentially no cures so far. This was used as a knock against it, even though we all know that research takes time. Now even those who were opposed are now touting the same possibilities which they previously claimed didn't exist!
The categories of stem cell research have included embryonic, umbilical cord blood, adult stem cells. All involved stem cell extraction, using differing methods. The ethical issue as debated has always been that the method of extracting stem cells on embryos destroyed life, as it destroyed the embryo. This is not the case with any other method, as destroying a blood cell, adult liver cell, etc. does not destroy a life, only a single cell.
Furthermore, there have been successes in the area of adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood, but none using embryos.
The issue has always been, do we destroy a life waiting to maintain full maturity when there are other avenues to obtaining stem cells? Especially when the other areas have resulted in actual successes and the embryonic route has not. I realize that it has not been constant front page news that successes have been realized in these other areas -- indeed, the occasional article reporting this type of thing have been more often hidden in the back section. But it is true all the same.
You might want to study up a little more on this subject.
zenodaddy -
An atheist here, as requested!
I think it's great that we've found another way to create these cells, really! It's worth noting however that since I wasn't overly concerned about the embryos (which are created and destroyed on a daily basis for many other things) to begin with, I'm hoping more that this provides an easier method rather than just an alternative method.
What I find most amusing, to be frank, is that before this development it was constantly pointed out by the anti- front that stem cell research had provided essentially no cures so far. This was used as a knock against it, even though we all know that research takes time. Now even those who were opposed are now touting the same possibilities which they previously claimed didn't exist!
Anyway, a good development in any case.
But they are not embryonic stem cells and the scientists are clearly pointing that out. The debate will most likely renew, if this new source of stem cells fail to meet their promise
Many Christians prayed for this.
Assuming this breakthrough isn't jumping the gun ... there should now be NO excuse for this research to be unethical or to be performed at the expense of innocent lives. Secularists should know that Christians never want to see people suffer needlessly. We just NEVER want to see others suffer needlessly in exchange for EVEN OUR OWN well-being.
Praise The Lord for those who prayed, those who fought, and those who endevoured to find another way!
Rock on!!! :^)
You're right, zenodaddy.Well said!!
The world should be applauding loudly with this discovery. Now we know for a fact that destroying embryo's is not necessary to harvest these cells. Now these scientists deserve the Nobel Peace Prize instead of the likes of Al 'The World's Savior' Gore.
These scientists deserve our praise, respect and gratitude for saving countless of lives.
I am shocked that no one has commented on this yet. Where are the atheists? Christians? Wiccan's?