Adult Stem Cell Research Facts

What is a stem cell?

A stem cell is a relatively unspecialized cell that can make another cell like itself when it divides, or it can become a completely different type of cell with a specialized function.

 

 

Photo: Andrew Paul Leonard/Photo Researchers

 

 

What is the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells?

Both adult and embryonic stem cells are taken from living human tissue. Adult stem cells are readily available in many different areas of the human body and do not harm the individual from whom they are taken.  Embryonic stem cells, however, are harvested from living embryos and the developing human life must be killed in order to extract the stem cells.  

Has adult stem cell research shown great success or promise?

Adult stem cell research (ASCR) has already led to successful treatments in over seventy diseases and conditions, and new uses are constantly being discovered.  Adult stem cells are currently being used to treat and cure patients who suffer from diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, while embryonic stem cells have never been successful in treating even one patient.  In fact, in clinical trials, embryonic stem cells injected into patients often form teratomas (cancerous tumors composed of hair, bone, and skin), because the growth of the embryonic stem cells cannot be controlled when taken out of natural context.  

What do the major Christian faiths teach?

Most of the major Christian faiths, including the Catholic Church, support and even encourage ethically responsible research, such as ASCR along with using stem cells found in the blood of umbilical cords. Conversely, embryonic stem cell research is strongly opposed because of the destruction of human life.

Why are so many promoting embryonic stem cell research instead of ASCR?

Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) seems to get all the press at the expense of ASCR, even though stem cells taken from embryos have yet to help a single patient.  There are several reasons why this may happen.  When we talk about using cells from embryos or human tissue left over from abortion, we are forced to decide on whether unborn human life has intrinsic value simply because it is human.  The larger debate over abortion and the origins and value of life will be greatly affected by the debate over stem cell research. If the unborn are legitimized, many who favor abortion rights fear this will eventually lead to a disintegration of these rights. In addition, many biotech companies have invested millions of dollars into ESCR, and like other companies, they are driven by profits and must satisfy shareholders and the bottom line. They stand to make a lot of money with ESCR by means of government funding and the potential sale of patented stem cell lines.  Finally, some scientists have spent their entire professional lives and staked their reputation on ESCR.  Even though many of their peers in the scientific community have advocated ASCR, they have become unwilling to admit that another type of research may be better or more cost effective. 

For More Information:

An Encore Toast to Adult and Cord Blood Stem Cells

March 12, 2007

Hosted by Do No Harm and Featuring BOGO Wines

Patients' Stories / Program Click Here