I thought it was time for an updated review on stem cell therapy at LifeEthics.org.
For one thing , there are a couple of new reports about lung stem cells, one that is good news, and one example of the usual hype surrounding embryonic stem cell research. Next, Richard Doerflinger has written his "75 new reasons" to support non-embryonic stem cell therapy over on "DO NO HARM." And then, there's the news out of China that a group of researchers will soon begin a large trial of cord blood stem cells in spinal cord injury has a lot of people talking.
Yesterday morning, State Representative Beverly Wooley from the Houston, Texas area held a press conference with the local embryonic stem cells and cloning advocates to announce the latest version of her clone and kill bill. This in spite of the fact that Texas researchers are making progress, now, in real patient treatment that doesn't depend at all on creating and killing embryos.
The supposed advantage of embryonic stem cells - their tendency to become any cell in the body - is actually a disadvantage because they're so hard to control. And the "disadvantage" of non-embryonic stem cells - that they're already partially specialized - is what makes them easier to manipulate.
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