Breakthrough Points to Post-Natal Stem Cells

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have found that adult, or postnatal, stem cells have the same ability as embryonic stem cells to multiply, a previously unknown characteristic indicating that post-natal stem cells may play an important therapeutic role. [source]

Dr. Johnny Huard, senior author of the study, stated,

Scientists have typically believed that adult or post-natal stem cells grow old and die much sooner than embryonic stem cells, but this study demonstrates that is not the case.

The entire world is closely following the advances in stem cell research, and everyone is interested in the potential of stem cells to treat everything from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease. But there are also many ethical concerns surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells, concerns that you don’t have with post-natal or adult stem cells. My belief is that this study should erase doubts scientists may have had about the potential effectiveness of post-natal stem cells.

Huard also noted that the use of embryonic stem cells could be complicated by issues of rejection, with the recipient’s immune system rejecting the foreign embryonic stem cells. However, with post-natal stem cells taken from the recipient and then reintroduced in an autologous manner, rejection would not be an issue.

The findings are published in the July 1, 2005, issue of Molecular Biology of the Cell, published by the American Society for Cell Biology. The paper is under consideration for Molecular Biology of Cell paper of the year.

While adult stem cell applications and advancements continue to thrive, embryonic stem cell research suffers from a fatal flaw: in current ESC practice the researchers must "destroy" (a synonym for "kill") a human being to extract the stem cells they need.

Others Blogging:

Adult Stem Cells Can Multiply - Hyscience

Researching Embryonic Stem Cells Unnecessary - The Bur in the Burgh

The conclusion is that in addition to being immoral (which is reason enough to stop), researching therapies using embryonic stem cells offers no unique benefits and may actually be the less effective strategy.

Stem cell research news - JivinJehoshaphat

One less bonus to embryonic stem cells - Stones Cry Out

Adult Stem Cells Same Potential as Embryonic - Choose Life