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Deceptive data used for stem-cell research
News-Times, The (Danbury, CT), Dorothy Vining : March 6, 2005
Gov. M. Jodi Rell has asked the Connecticut General Assembly to appropriate $20 million to "spur research at our universities and create strong relationships with others who want to move stem-cell research forward."
New York legislators have proposed spending at least $1 billion on embryonic stem-cell research.
Is this wise public and fiscal policy?
After two decades of study, embryonic stem cells have yet to produce a single, unqualified, therapeutic success in human beings.
Embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos, either frozen and abandoned or created and killed for the purpose of providing these versatile cells.
In 2001, President Bush banned the use of federal funds for new embryonic stem-cell lines.
Recently, a Toronto scientist said there was no need for stem cells from embryonic babies because umbilical-cord blood cells could do everything that other stem cells could do.
Moreover, embryonic stem cells tend to mutate and have produced tumors when injected into laboratory animals.
There is a better record when it comes to so-called "adult" stem-cell research. These stem cells have been successfully used to treat dozens of diseases and medical conditions - such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, strokes, cardiac damage, corneal damage, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Adult stem cells can be derived from umbilical-cord blood (which is usually thrown away after a birth), bone marrow, placenta, fat tissue and even baby teeth.
Doctors are now using adult stem cells from cord blood instead of bone-marrow transplants for leukemia patients, as they are less likely to be rejected than bone marrow.
The Bush administration has funded adult stem-cell research to the tune of $190 million.
Stem-cell research is very difficult and very expensive and numerous biotechnology firms have failed.
Forbes magazine reported in March 2004 that the large firms now investing in stem-cell research use stem cells from adult tissues and umbilical-cord blood, not stem cells from embryos.
It has become clear that biotechnological research going forward does not depend on the passage of laws promoting research on human embryos.
In July 2004, the Christian Medical Association, the nation's largest faith-based organization of physicians, wrote to Congress that they had "the motivation, knowledge and experience to analyze stem-cell research without the inherent bias of laboratory scientists and firms seeking federal dollars ... Some researchers lobbying for funding have unfortunately fed patients' misplaced hopes and anger by hyping the potential of embryonic stem-cell research far beyond scientific integrity."
During U.S. Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign last year, researchers expressed alarm about "exaggerated claims" made for the potential benefits of embryonic stem-cell research.
President Reagan's son, Ron, was used during that campaign to promote embryonic stem-cell research for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
His brother, Michael, later told us that even if embryonic stem-cell research eventually showed promise in curing Alzheimer's (which experts say is highly unlikely), his father would not have wanted to be cured by cloning and killing human embryos.
I have noticed that the promotion of stem-cell research often features someone who will say, in essence, "My leukemia was cured by stem-cell research."
Actually, it was cured by stem-cell research using adult stem cells, not stem cells from living embryos.
It is apparent that they hope to fool an uninformed populace with the promise of imminent, marvelous cures.
Exactly what is the motive of those who use such deceptive tactics?
One author who believes the motive is money is Neil Munro. In a July 2001 article in National Journal, "Mixing Business With Stem Cells," he noted that some scientists promoting embryonic stem-cell research may be prominent faculty members at prestigious universities and public research institutions, but they also are often board members and shareholders of biotechnology companies which stand to profit from embryonic stem-cell research.
"They are, in short, both disinterested scientists and very interested entrepreneurs," says Munro.
The use of adult stem cells has been far and away more fruitful than embryonic stem-cell research. Breakthroughs seem to come almost daily.
If you are treated with cells having your own DNA, it will not be necessary to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of your life to avoid rejection.
Our federal and state governments should focus on what promises the most results, as quickly as possible.
"An Act Permitting Stem Cell Research and Banning the Cloning of Human Beings" (SB 934) has been approved by the state legislature's Public Health Committee.
If you read beyond the title, you find it does permit the cloning of human embryos which are to be used to obtain stem cells for research.
In brief, in spite of its name, it is a "clone and kill" bill. A human embryo is a human being, whether or not it is allowed to fully develop.
In a sort of bait-and-switch maneuver, advocates of embryonic stem-cell research are using the many successes with adult stem cells to try to push through legislation permitting the cloning of human embryos for research purposes - and they dare to title it a ban on cloning.
When you catch people sending deceptive messages, it is smart to be wary of what they are trying to sell you. Be very wary.
Dorothy Vining lives in Danbury.