Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Thanks for the link, Darryl! I'll watch it asap. :)

Zia

My philosphy is stem cells are fine but I'm not for embryonic stem cell research. To me life is sacred and it is a door I don't want to open. You chould never take a life to save a life.

Neither the pro nor the con advocates are giving us all the info on stem cell research; they just give the amount that advances their own sides argument. However to turn our backs on stem cell research when they allow other types of genetic research that is ethically questionable is hypocritical of our policy-makers. Gentic research needs more oversight in ALL aspects, not just stem cell research.

Stem cells can also come from umbilical cord blood, which can be donated after the cord is cut when you have a baby.
I looked into doing this, to donate it, but because of my family history of auto-immune disorders, I was turned down.

Christine

I agree with Stormyskies. There are so many other places to get stem cells. I went and listened to the site mentioned. They use Adult stem cells. He also mentioned it as being the best way to go because you don't have to deal with rejection issues if it is from your own body. He also mentioned that much of the embyonic stem cell reasearch has lead to major cancers and other problems. Every significant advance in this area that I have been able to find out about (by that I mean is being used with humans) has been with Adult or umbilical stem cells. I don't think anyone is trying to stop stem cell research. It is only the use of embryos that are in question.

I heard a woman speak at an MS support group mtg about her trip to China for SC treatment. She went in May and still sees progress. Her name is Betty Helm and the site is www.stemcellschina.com .

CathyL

An acquaintance of mine with both MS and leukemia recently had stem cell tx for his leukemia.

His own stem cells were removed from his spinal cord, then he was given a very strong course of chemo for one week, and then his own stem cells were returned into his spinal cord.

So far, there is no trace of his leukemia.

My mom's friend had precisely the same leukemia tx. Currently there is no trace of her leukemia, either.

Stem cell tx could very well be the key or one of the keys to treating/curing some or many of the diseases on the planet from which so many suffer. Including our MS.

Zia

It would be great if adult stem cells lead to progress. In the meantime, here is a bit of info that is consistent regardless of the camp that one is in:

"Officials say that about 400,000 frozen embryos are stored at U.S. fertility clinics. The vast majority await disposal because the couples that produced them have completed their pursuit of children and do not want another person to raise their biological child. Bush praised those who "adopt" such embryos, implant them in a woman's womb and bring them to term.

But others said there will be few such adoptions because most couples seeking a child through in vitro fertilization want a genetic connection to that child. "Even with federal funding available to encourage adoption, the number is 128, which makes it conclusive that these 400,000 embryos will either be used for scientific research or thrown away," Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), a proponent of the bill, said this week."
Washington Post July 20, 2006

This debate is wasting precious time and resulting in our country losing some of its best scientists to more progessive nations. So a cure will come but from some other country that also benefit from the economic gains of a more open policy toward science. In the meantime, we wait while those embryos will be destoyed. Wouldn't it be nice if they could at least provide something positve instead of ending up in a biohazard waste bin. To each his/her own.

I can see that point of view. I just don't want to think about where making that compromise might lead. Once you open the padnora's box there is no closing it. Why can't we focus on what does no harm?

Okay I'll get hit hard for this view but I think it's unethical and socially irresponsible to bring a lot of children in the world knowing they will starve to death. Also why are we not talking about over population. There are close to 7B people on the planet now. We are wiping out other species at an alarming rate and using up all of our resources. Why do we think it's okay to do this? Another thing that I question is why people who are so concerned about us having babies love the fetus but hate the child. Many children go without health insurance. They also think nothing of sending children to fight in an unjust and unholy war. I'm not asking for a fight I'm just wondering why. It doesn't make sense to me.