Truth: Real Facts in the Stem Cell Debate
By: Abigail Kirkland
Director of Education and Public Relations at Georgia Right to Life
In the news, the stem cell debate is overly simplified; implying that one has to be either
for or against stem cell research, or for or against fighting diseases. However, this debate
is much more complex.
President Bush’s ban on Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research has raised an
all out war cry from Nancy Reagan and Congressmen who have resorted to using Ronald
Reagan’s death to further their cause. However, there are some facts that they are simply
overlooking.
The Washington Post reports on June 10th, “’I think the chance of doing repairs to
Alzheimer's brains by putting in stem cells is small,’ said stem cell researcher Michael
Shelanski, co-director of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the
Aging Brain at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, echoing many
other experts. ‘I personally think we're going to get other therapies for Alzheimer's a lot
sooner.’"1
In fact, research shows embryonic stem cells have yet to cure a single patient and has
actually produced convulsions in patients who have received treatment from it. In fact,
some scientists are calling to stop this research because of massive failures in clinical
trials. Oh, not to mention that embryonic stem cells often cause tumors in animal studies,
and therefore using them in humans is highly problematic.2
Are there any other options? YES! Adult stem cells, which come from non-controversial
sources (umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, fatty tissue, baby teeth and teeth enamel),
have already cured many or reduced the effects of debilitating diseases in its clinical
trials3 (ex. Transplant performed on a 7-year-old at Alfred DuPont Hospital in Delaware).
Adult stem cells are actually removed from the body of the patient and manipulated in the
laboratory. After they multiply, the healthy cells are separated and reinserted into the
patient. Human clinical trials show these new cells go to the diseased area and begin to
generate healthy cells and tissues. The reason adult stem cells are successful is because
they have the exact genetic DNA makeup of the patient, preventing cell rejection.
Adult stem cells are not only successful, but do not involve the creation or destruction of
human embryos. Therefore, they are free of moral and ethical debate. Although adult
1
Weiss, Rick. “Stem Cells An Unlikely Therapy for Alzheimer's: Reagan-Inspired Zeal For Study
Continues.” Thursday, June 10, 2004; Page A03
2
E. Phimister and J. Drazen, "Two Fillips for Human Embryonic Stem Cells," 350 New England Journal of
Medicine 1351 (March 25, 2004).
1
Georgia Right to Life
www.grtl.org
stem cell research has not been perfected, each month it becomes more and more
advanced. Already showing much more potential than the non-successful and unethical
embryonic stem cell research.
Brian Butcher, research professor at Tulane University’s Center for Gene Therapy (a
research center that has hands on successful adult stem cell transplants), states, “We're
not against stem-cell research of any kind, but we think there are advantages to using
adult stem cells. For example, with embryonic stem cells, a significant number become
cancer cells, so the cure could be worse than the disease. And they can be very difficult to
grow, while adult stem cells are very easy to grow."3
CNN reports on June 10, 2004, “Now science has presented us with a hope called stemcell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that have for so long
been beyond our grasp," Mrs. Reagan told an audience last month in Los Angeles. "I just
don't see how we can turn our backs on this." 4
I agree! Let us not turn our back on stem cell research, but let us focus on the successful
research that does not destroy life. Adult stem cell research, yes! A positive step for
science. Embryonic stem cell research, no! A non-successful unethical practice of
medicine!
Abigail Kirkland
Director of Public Relations and Education
Georgia Right to Life
283 West Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045
(770) 339-6880
abbykirkland@grtl.org
3
Heilman, Heather. “Great Transformations.” Tulane University Magazine. Spring 2004.
“First lady: Stem-cell research ethical balancing act.” Thursday, June 10, 2004 Posted: 12:40 PM EDT
(1640 GMT)
4
2
Georgia Right to Life
www.grtl.org