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Should You Care About Stem Cell Research?
By Janis Roszler, RD, CDE, LD/N
dLife founder Howard Steinberg recently interviewed Speaker of The House Nancy
Pelosi to discuss the use of stem cells for research (the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act of 2007; H.R.3) . This bill was approved by the House of
Representatives on January 11, 2007, but President Bush has threatened to veto
it. If it survives his veto, the bill will increase the number of stem cell
lines (families) that can be used in federally-funded research. What could this
mean to you?
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are unique cells in our bodies that have three special abilities:
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They can develop into cells that have specific functions, such as heart
cells that help pump blood, red blood cells that deliver oxygen, or nerve
cells that transmit messages.
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They can divide and take whatever role is needed. When a stem cell divides,
each "daughter" cell either remains a stem cell or becomes another type of
cell with a more specific function, such as a red blood cell or a brain
cell.
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In addition to dividing, they can renew themselves for very long periods of
time. Regular cells cannot do this.
Two Types
Stem cells come in two types: adult and embryonic. Embryonic stem cells have the
greatest potential. They have no specific identity and can develop into
different types of cells that may have been damaged from an injury or from
diseases such as Parkinson’s and Diabetes. These ultra-flexible cells exist in
5-day old human embryos.
Adult stem cells already have some identity and aren’t quite as flexible. They
can develop into other types of cells, but only if they are placed in a part of
the body that resembles where they came from. Adult brain stem cells that are
placed into a pancreas will probably not develop into pancreatic cells. But
embryonic stem cells that are placed in the pancreas will develop into new
pancreatic cells.
The Controversy
Many people are concerned about the source of embryonic stem cells. When many
infertile couples try to conceive, they use a procedure called in-vitro
fertilization - they donate egg and sperm samples to a lab where they are
fertilized. Then several fertilized eggs are implanted into the female partner.
Not all will successfully grow into fetuses, but many will. Unused fertilized
eggs will never become babies because they are never placed into wombs. They are
frozen, tossed out, or destroyed. If not used, they will die naturally within a
few days.
Is it wrong to use embryos that will be destroyed to help save lives? This is
what must be decided. Listen to the Howard Steinberg’s interview with Speaker of
the House Nancy Pelosi on dLife.com and become informed. We are about to embark
on a new chapter in medical history. We must enter it with great hope, care and
information. |
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