Stem Cell Research

[Nightwriter]

Katie,

I know all of us have our hearts in the right place. And no one is going to change the other's position. But I thought Christopher Reeve's impassioned plea before Congress tried to present a scientific case as well as show sensitivity to those who have religious grounds for objecting to the use of embryonic stem cells. He got letters from 90 religious leaders talking about the difference between an embryo in the womb and one that is in a jar that is going to be thrown in the garbage. Harsh words I know.

Everyone must follow their own conscience when making decisions for themselves. If a treatment became available that came from a source that could save your child's life and if that source went against your belief -- it would be a heart wrenching choice.

The older I get, the more I am able to see the "grey" area between the black and white. And I am a fairly practical person so I weigh what is most important. For example, I am a vegetarian. I personally think it is morally wrong to eat animals, in addition to the health benefits that are gained. Yet I have never advocated that in any post, because it is my own personal opinion and I can see the other side. But I also believe in using animals for research when necessary. Because the sacrifice to save people who are suffering from disease is more important than my personal belief. Yet I also I understand the anquish people feel at using animals for what can be cruel research. Obviously research for cosmetics is unnecessary.

So while I completely respect your opinion, I am one of those people who are thrilled at the prospect that in the very near future because of embryonic research being resumed, paralyized people will walk, organs will be regenerated (hopefully lungs), and I take comfort in knowing that the doors of science have been thrown open once again.

I know we all want these things.

 

[Nightwriter]

Katie,

I know all of us have our hearts in the right place. And no one is going to change the other's position. But I thought Christopher Reeve's impassioned plea before Congress tried to present a scientific case as well as show sensitivity to those who have religious grounds for objecting to the use of embryonic stem cells. He got letters from 90 religious leaders talking about the difference between an embryo in the womb and one that is in a jar that is going to be thrown in the garbage. Harsh words I know.

Everyone must follow their own conscience when making decisions for themselves. If a treatment became available that came from a source that could save your child's life and if that source went against your belief -- it would be a heart wrenching choice.

The older I get, the more I am able to see the "grey" area between the black and white. And I am a fairly practical person so I weigh what is most important. For example, I am a vegetarian. I personally think it is morally wrong to eat animals, in addition to the health benefits that are gained. Yet I have never advocated that in any post, because it is my own personal opinion and I can see the other side. But I also believe in using animals for research when necessary. Because the sacrifice to save people who are suffering from disease is more important than my personal belief. Yet I also I understand the anquish people feel at using animals for what can be cruel research. Obviously research for cosmetics is unnecessary.

So while I completely respect your opinion, I am one of those people who are thrilled at the prospect that in the very near future because of embryonic research being resumed, paralyized people will walk, organs will be regenerated (hopefully lungs), and I take comfort in knowing that the doors of science have been thrown open once again.

I know we all want these things.

 

[Nightwriter]

Katie,

I know all of us have our hearts in the right place. And no one is going to change the other's position. But I thought Christopher Reeve's impassioned plea before Congress tried to present a scientific case as well as show sensitivity to those who have religious grounds for objecting to the use of embryonic stem cells. He got letters from 90 religious leaders talking about the difference between an embryo in the womb and one that is in a jar that is going to be thrown in the garbage. Harsh words I know.

Everyone must follow their own conscience when making decisions for themselves. If a treatment became available that came from a source that could save your child's life and if that source went against your belief -- it would be a heart wrenching choice.

The older I get, the more I am able to see the "grey" area between the black and white. And I am a fairly practical person so I weigh what is most important. For example, I am a vegetarian. I personally think it is morally wrong to eat animals, in addition to the health benefits that are gained. Yet I have never advocated that in any post, because it is my own personal opinion and I can see the other side. But I also believe in using animals for research when necessary. Because the sacrifice to save people who are suffering from disease is more important than my personal belief. Yet I also I understand the anquish people feel at using animals for what can be cruel research. Obviously research for cosmetics is unnecessary.

So while I completely respect your opinion, I am one of those people who are thrilled at the prospect that in the very near future because of embryonic research being resumed, paralyized people will walk, organs will be regenerated (hopefully lungs), and I take comfort in knowing that the doors of science have been thrown open once again.

I know we all want these things.

 

[Nightwriter]

Katie,

I know all of us have our hearts in the right place. And no one is going to change the other's position. But I thought Christopher Reeve's impassioned plea before Congress tried to present a scientific case as well as show sensitivity to those who have religious grounds for objecting to the use of embryonic stem cells. He got letters from 90 religious leaders talking about the difference between an embryo in the womb and one that is in a jar that is going to be thrown in the garbage. Harsh words I know.

Everyone must follow their own conscience when making decisions for themselves. If a treatment became available that came from a source that could save your child's life and if that source went against your belief -- it would be a heart wrenching choice.

The older I get, the more I am able to see the "grey" area between the black and white. And I am a fairly practical person so I weigh what is most important. For example, I am a vegetarian. I personally think it is morally wrong to eat animals, in addition to the health benefits that are gained. Yet I have never advocated that in any post, because it is my own personal opinion and I can see the other side. But I also believe in using animals for research when necessary. Because the sacrifice to save people who are suffering from disease is more important than my personal belief. Yet I also I understand the anquish people feel at using animals for what can be cruel research. Obviously research for cosmetics is unnecessary.

So while I completely respect your opinion, I am one of those people who are thrilled at the prospect that in the very near future because of embryonic research being resumed, paralyized people will walk, organs will be regenerated (hopefully lungs), and I take comfort in knowing that the doors of science have been thrown open once again.

I know we all want these things.

 

[Nightwriter]

Katie,
<br />
<br />I know all of us have our hearts in the right place. And no one is going to change the other's position. But I thought Christopher Reeve's impassioned plea before Congress tried to present a scientific case as well as show sensitivity to those who have religious grounds for objecting to the use of embryonic stem cells. He got letters from 90 religious leaders talking about the difference between an embryo in the womb and one that is in a jar that is going to be thrown in the garbage. Harsh words I know.
<br />
<br />Everyone must follow their own conscience when making decisions for themselves. If a treatment became available that came from a source that could save your child's life and if that source went against your belief -- it would be a heart wrenching choice.
<br />
<br />The older I get, the more I am able to see the "grey" area between the black and white. And I am a fairly practical person so I weigh what is most important. For example, I am a vegetarian. I personally think it is morally wrong to eat animals, in addition to the health benefits that are gained. Yet I have never advocated that in any post, because it is my own personal opinion and I can see the other side. But I also believe in using animals for research when necessary. Because the sacrifice to save people who are suffering from disease is more important than my personal belief. Yet I also I understand the anquish people feel at using animals for what can be cruel research. Obviously research for cosmetics is unnecessary.
<br />
<br />So while I completely respect your opinion, I am one of those people who are thrilled at the prospect that in the very near future because of embryonic research being resumed, paralyized people will walk, organs will be regenerated (hopefully lungs), and I take comfort in knowing that the doors of science have been thrown open once again.
<br />
<br />I know we all want these things.

 

[Rebjane]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I asked my husband about the stem cell issue(he actually learned about using embryonic stem cells in mice) My husband said within the last year in a half that it is possible to make stem cells from a living person's skin cells; I can't remember the name of the procedure he called it. Anyway, he said you take say skin cells from me, add some genetic material to turn on some genetic code(sorry if I'm getting this wrong) and you can grow stem cells and it's not from embryos. My husband and I are both for stem cell research but I just wanted to add that there are ways to do it without using the embryos. I am the "layperson" relaying this info from my husband, so I can't explain as easily as he did to me. I have heard my husband talk about the importance of stem cell research for the CF'ers who have already sustained lung damage to try to repair the damaged tissue would be so amazing . For our young CF'ers with minimal lung involvement the drugs like PTC124 and the one that targets deltaF508 would prevent (hopefully)that lung damage and maintain healthy lung for as long as possible.

 

[Rebjane]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I asked my husband about the stem cell issue(he actually learned about using embryonic stem cells in mice) My husband said within the last year in a half that it is possible to make stem cells from a living person's skin cells; I can't remember the name of the procedure he called it. Anyway, he said you take say skin cells from me, add some genetic material to turn on some genetic code(sorry if I'm getting this wrong) and you can grow stem cells and it's not from embryos. My husband and I are both for stem cell research but I just wanted to add that there are ways to do it without using the embryos. I am the "layperson" relaying this info from my husband, so I can't explain as easily as he did to me. I have heard my husband talk about the importance of stem cell research for the CF'ers who have already sustained lung damage to try to repair the damaged tissue would be so amazing . For our young CF'ers with minimal lung involvement the drugs like PTC124 and the one that targets deltaF508 would prevent (hopefully)that lung damage and maintain healthy lung for as long as possible.

 

[Rebjane]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I asked my husband about the stem cell issue(he actually learned about using embryonic stem cells in mice) My husband said within the last year in a half that it is possible to make stem cells from a living person's skin cells; I can't remember the name of the procedure he called it. Anyway, he said you take say skin cells from me, add some genetic material to turn on some genetic code(sorry if I'm getting this wrong) and you can grow stem cells and it's not from embryos. My husband and I are both for stem cell research but I just wanted to add that there are ways to do it without using the embryos. I am the "layperson" relaying this info from my husband, so I can't explain as easily as he did to me. I have heard my husband talk about the importance of stem cell research for the CF'ers who have already sustained lung damage to try to repair the damaged tissue would be so amazing . For our young CF'ers with minimal lung involvement the drugs like PTC124 and the one that targets deltaF508 would prevent (hopefully)that lung damage and maintain healthy lung for as long as possible.

 

[Rebjane]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I asked my husband about the stem cell issue(he actually learned about using embryonic stem cells in mice) My husband said within the last year in a half that it is possible to make stem cells from a living person's skin cells; I can't remember the name of the procedure he called it. Anyway, he said you take say skin cells from me, add some genetic material to turn on some genetic code(sorry if I'm getting this wrong) and you can grow stem cells and it's not from embryos. My husband and I are both for stem cell research but I just wanted to add that there are ways to do it without using the embryos. I am the "layperson" relaying this info from my husband, so I can't explain as easily as he did to me. I have heard my husband talk about the importance of stem cell research for the CF'ers who have already sustained lung damage to try to repair the damaged tissue would be so amazing . For our young CF'ers with minimal lung involvement the drugs like PTC124 and the one that targets deltaF508 would prevent (hopefully)that lung damage and maintain healthy lung for as long as possible.

 

[Rebjane]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I asked my husband about the stem cell issue(he actually learned about using embryonic stem cells in mice) My husband said within the last year in a half that it is possible to make stem cells from a living person's skin cells; I can't remember the name of the procedure he called it. Anyway, he said you take say skin cells from me, add some genetic material to turn on some genetic code(sorry if I'm getting this wrong) and you can grow stem cells and it's not from embryos. My husband and I are both for stem cell research but I just wanted to add that there are ways to do it without using the embryos. I am the "layperson" relaying this info from my husband, so I can't explain as easily as he did to me. I have heard my husband talk about the importance of stem cell research for the CF'ers who have already sustained lung damage to try to repair the damaged tissue would be so amazing . For our young CF'ers with minimal lung involvement the drugs like PTC124 and the one that targets deltaF508 would prevent (hopefully)that lung damage and maintain healthy lung for as long as possible.

 

[Nightwriter]

Rebecca,

You and your husband are correct. There is a very promising study out of UCLA's Stem Cell Department using skin cells. But this is still in it's infancy and has a long way to go -- but is a very exciting discovery. But even so, the first author of the study made this statement:

"It is important to remember our research does not eliminate the need for embryonic research, but rather provides another avenue worth investigating."

The Phase I trial that is being touted as the WORLD'S first clinical trial of a therapy derived from human embryonic cells was under development for 10 YEARS.

By this summer, paralyzed patients will receive injections of specialized nerve cells. Rats that have gone under similar treatment regained their ablity to walk. Of course no one knows if this will happen for humans.

Science is standing right at the precipice of treating disease in new and exciting ways. I want all tools on the table. And I'd like to see all this move as quickly as possible. We in the CF community do not have time to waste.

 

[Nightwriter]

Rebecca,

You and your husband are correct. There is a very promising study out of UCLA's Stem Cell Department using skin cells. But this is still in it's infancy and has a long way to go -- but is a very exciting discovery. But even so, the first author of the study made this statement:

"It is important to remember our research does not eliminate the need for embryonic research, but rather provides another avenue worth investigating."

The Phase I trial that is being touted as the WORLD'S first clinical trial of a therapy derived from human embryonic cells was under development for 10 YEARS.

By this summer, paralyzed patients will receive injections of specialized nerve cells. Rats that have gone under similar treatment regained their ablity to walk. Of course no one knows if this will happen for humans.

Science is standing right at the precipice of treating disease in new and exciting ways. I want all tools on the table. And I'd like to see all this move as quickly as possible. We in the CF community do not have time to waste.

 

[Nightwriter]

Rebecca,

You and your husband are correct. There is a very promising study out of UCLA's Stem Cell Department using skin cells. But this is still in it's infancy and has a long way to go -- but is a very exciting discovery. But even so, the first author of the study made this statement:

"It is important to remember our research does not eliminate the need for embryonic research, but rather provides another avenue worth investigating."

The Phase I trial that is being touted as the WORLD'S first clinical trial of a therapy derived from human embryonic cells was under development for 10 YEARS.

By this summer, paralyzed patients will receive injections of specialized nerve cells. Rats that have gone under similar treatment regained their ablity to walk. Of course no one knows if this will happen for humans.

Science is standing right at the precipice of treating disease in new and exciting ways. I want all tools on the table. And I'd like to see all this move as quickly as possible. We in the CF community do not have time to waste.

 

[Nightwriter]

Rebecca,

You and your husband are correct. There is a very promising study out of UCLA's Stem Cell Department using skin cells. But this is still in it's infancy and has a long way to go -- but is a very exciting discovery. But even so, the first author of the study made this statement:

"It is important to remember our research does not eliminate the need for embryonic research, but rather provides another avenue worth investigating."

The Phase I trial that is being touted as the WORLD'S first clinical trial of a therapy derived from human embryonic cells was under development for 10 YEARS.

By this summer, paralyzed patients will receive injections of specialized nerve cells. Rats that have gone under similar treatment regained their ablity to walk. Of course no one knows if this will happen for humans.

Science is standing right at the precipice of treating disease in new and exciting ways. I want all tools on the table. And I'd like to see all this move as quickly as possible. We in the CF community do not have time to waste.

 

[Nightwriter]

Rebecca,
<br />
<br />You and your husband are correct. There is a very promising study out of UCLA's Stem Cell Department using skin cells. But this is still in it's infancy and has a long way to go -- but is a very exciting discovery. But even so, the first author of the study made this statement:
<br />
<br />"It is important to remember our research does not eliminate the need for embryonic research, but rather provides another avenue worth investigating."
<br />
<br />The Phase I trial that is being touted as the WORLD'S first clinical trial of a therapy derived from human embryonic cells was under development for 10 YEARS.
<br />
<br />By this summer, paralyzed patients will receive injections of specialized nerve cells. Rats that have gone under similar treatment regained their ablity to walk. Of course no one knows if this will happen for humans.
<br />
<br />Science is standing right at the precipice of treating disease in new and exciting ways. I want all tools on the table. And I'd like to see all this move as quickly as possible. We in the CF community do not have time to waste.

 

[kitomd21]

Cord Blood May Help Repair Children's Heart Defects
Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood may provide the raw material to repair the hearts of thousands of babies born each year with defective heart valves, according to data presented at the latest American Heart Association annual meeting. Cardiologists from the University Hospital of Munich report they are about five years away from transplanting new heart valves into children with heart defects, made from the children's own cord blood. Replacement heart valves made from the child's own cord blood stem cells would theoretically grow with the child and change shape as needed, significantly reducing the number of surgeries necessary for these patients. More

Spinal Cord Injury: Cord Blood Stem Cells Show Promise
The FDA's recent approval of the first-ever clinical trial to study the use of embryonic stem cells in human patients with spinal cord injuries is receiving tremendous media attention. What was overlooked in most of the coverage is that umbilical cord blood has already shown great promise for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. In animal models with spinal cord injury, cord blood stem cells have been shown to reduce the extent of injury, promote neural tissue growth and improve motor function, leading researchers to believe that these cells may prove to be a useful strategy to repair injured spinal cords.1

CBR® Releases 100th Cord Blood Collection For Medical Use
CBR recently announced that it released its 100th cord blood unit for medical use, a milestone attesting to the rapidly increasing use of a child's own newborn stem cells (also called autologous use) for medical therapies to help repair damaged tissue and regenerate healthy cells. In 2008, the company released one cord blood unit every other week for medical use. To date in 2009, the company has released more than two units per week for medical use. As researchers continue exploring using cord stem cells in regenerative therapies, CBR remains committed to providing you with information about the advancing science.

 

[kitomd21]

Cord Blood May Help Repair Children's Heart Defects
Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood may provide the raw material to repair the hearts of thousands of babies born each year with defective heart valves, according to data presented at the latest American Heart Association annual meeting. Cardiologists from the University Hospital of Munich report they are about five years away from transplanting new heart valves into children with heart defects, made from the children's own cord blood. Replacement heart valves made from the child's own cord blood stem cells would theoretically grow with the child and change shape as needed, significantly reducing the number of surgeries necessary for these patients. More

Spinal Cord Injury: Cord Blood Stem Cells Show Promise
The FDA's recent approval of the first-ever clinical trial to study the use of embryonic stem cells in human patients with spinal cord injuries is receiving tremendous media attention. What was overlooked in most of the coverage is that umbilical cord blood has already shown great promise for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. In animal models with spinal cord injury, cord blood stem cells have been shown to reduce the extent of injury, promote neural tissue growth and improve motor function, leading researchers to believe that these cells may prove to be a useful strategy to repair injured spinal cords.1

CBR® Releases 100th Cord Blood Collection For Medical Use
CBR recently announced that it released its 100th cord blood unit for medical use, a milestone attesting to the rapidly increasing use of a child's own newborn stem cells (also called autologous use) for medical therapies to help repair damaged tissue and regenerate healthy cells. In 2008, the company released one cord blood unit every other week for medical use. To date in 2009, the company has released more than two units per week for medical use. As researchers continue exploring using cord stem cells in regenerative therapies, CBR remains committed to providing you with information about the advancing science.

 

[kitomd21]

Cord Blood May Help Repair Children's Heart Defects
Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood may provide the raw material to repair the hearts of thousands of babies born each year with defective heart valves, according to data presented at the latest American Heart Association annual meeting. Cardiologists from the University Hospital of Munich report they are about five years away from transplanting new heart valves into children with heart defects, made from the children's own cord blood. Replacement heart valves made from the child's own cord blood stem cells would theoretically grow with the child and change shape as needed, significantly reducing the number of surgeries necessary for these patients. More

Spinal Cord Injury: Cord Blood Stem Cells Show Promise
The FDA's recent approval of the first-ever clinical trial to study the use of embryonic stem cells in human patients with spinal cord injuries is receiving tremendous media attention. What was overlooked in most of the coverage is that umbilical cord blood has already shown great promise for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. In animal models with spinal cord injury, cord blood stem cells have been shown to reduce the extent of injury, promote neural tissue growth and improve motor function, leading researchers to believe that these cells may prove to be a useful strategy to repair injured spinal cords.1

CBR® Releases 100th Cord Blood Collection For Medical Use
CBR recently announced that it released its 100th cord blood unit for medical use, a milestone attesting to the rapidly increasing use of a child's own newborn stem cells (also called autologous use) for medical therapies to help repair damaged tissue and regenerate healthy cells. In 2008, the company released one cord blood unit every other week for medical use. To date in 2009, the company has released more than two units per week for medical use. As researchers continue exploring using cord stem cells in regenerative therapies, CBR remains committed to providing you with information about the advancing science.

 

[kitomd21]

Cord Blood May Help Repair Children's Heart Defects
Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood may provide the raw material to repair the hearts of thousands of babies born each year with defective heart valves, according to data presented at the latest American Heart Association annual meeting. Cardiologists from the University Hospital of Munich report they are about five years away from transplanting new heart valves into children with heart defects, made from the children's own cord blood. Replacement heart valves made from the child's own cord blood stem cells would theoretically grow with the child and change shape as needed, significantly reducing the number of surgeries necessary for these patients. More

Spinal Cord Injury: Cord Blood Stem Cells Show Promise
The FDA's recent approval of the first-ever clinical trial to study the use of embryonic stem cells in human patients with spinal cord injuries is receiving tremendous media attention. What was overlooked in most of the coverage is that umbilical cord blood has already shown great promise for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. In animal models with spinal cord injury, cord blood stem cells have been shown to reduce the extent of injury, promote neural tissue growth and improve motor function, leading researchers to believe that these cells may prove to be a useful strategy to repair injured spinal cords.1

CBR® Releases 100th Cord Blood Collection For Medical Use
CBR recently announced that it released its 100th cord blood unit for medical use, a milestone attesting to the rapidly increasing use of a child's own newborn stem cells (also called autologous use) for medical therapies to help repair damaged tissue and regenerate healthy cells. In 2008, the company released one cord blood unit every other week for medical use. To date in 2009, the company has released more than two units per week for medical use. As researchers continue exploring using cord stem cells in regenerative therapies, CBR remains committed to providing you with information about the advancing science.

 

[kitomd21]

Cord Blood May Help Repair Children's Heart Defects
<br />Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood may provide the raw material to repair the hearts of thousands of babies born each year with defective heart valves, according to data presented at the latest American Heart Association annual meeting. Cardiologists from the University Hospital of Munich report they are about five years away from transplanting new heart valves into children with heart defects, made from the children's own cord blood. Replacement heart valves made from the child's own cord blood stem cells would theoretically grow with the child and change shape as needed, significantly reducing the number of surgeries necessary for these patients. More
<br />
<br />Spinal Cord Injury: Cord Blood Stem Cells Show Promise
<br />The FDA's recent approval of the first-ever clinical trial to study the use of embryonic stem cells in human patients with spinal cord injuries is receiving tremendous media attention. What was overlooked in most of the coverage is that umbilical cord blood has already shown great promise for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. In animal models with spinal cord injury, cord blood stem cells have been shown to reduce the extent of injury, promote neural tissue growth and improve motor function, leading researchers to believe that these cells may prove to be a useful strategy to repair injured spinal cords.1
<br />
<br />CBR® Releases 100th Cord Blood Collection For Medical Use
<br />CBR recently announced that it released its 100th cord blood unit for medical use, a milestone attesting to the rapidly increasing use of a child's own newborn stem cells (also called autologous use) for medical therapies to help repair damaged tissue and regenerate healthy cells. In 2008, the company released one cord blood unit every other week for medical use. To date in 2009, the company has released more than two units per week for medical use. As researchers continue exploring using cord stem cells in regenerative therapies, CBR remains committed to providing you with information about the advancing science.