Religions > Bible > Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention
| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Immortalist" |
| Date: |
28 Jul 2004 09:04:21 AM |
| Object: |
Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
....I am here tonight to talk about the issue of research into what may be the
greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime:
the use of embryonic stem cells-cells created
using the material of our own bodies-to cure a
wide range of fatal and debilitating illnesses:
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes,
lymphoma, spinal cord injuries, and much more.
Millions are afflicted. Every year, every day, tragedy is visited upon families
across the country, around the world.
Now, we may be able to put an end to this suffering. We only need to try.
....Let's say that ten or so years from now you are diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease. There is currently no cure and drug therapy, with its attendant
side-effects, can only temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Now, imagine going to a doctor who, instead
of prescribing drugs, takes a few skin cells
from your arm. The nucleus of one of your
cells is placed into a donor egg whose
own nucleus has been removed.
A bit of chemical or electrical stimulation
will encourage your cell's nucleus to begin
dividing, creating new cells which will
then be placed into a tissue culture.
Those cells will generate embryonic
stem cells containing only your DNA,
thereby eliminating the risk of
tissue rejection.
These stem cells are then driven to become
the very neural cells that are defective
in Parkinson's patients.
And finally, those cells-with your DNA-are
injected into your brain where they will
replace the faulty cells whose failure to
produce adequate dopamine led to the
Parkinson's disease in the first place.
In other words, you're cured. And another thing, these embryonic stem cells, they
could continue to replicate indefinitely and, theoretically, can be induced to
recreate virtually any tissue in your body. How'd you like to have your own
personal biological repair kit standing by at the hospital? Sound like magic?
Welcome to the future of medicine.
By the way, no fetal tissue is involved in this process. No fetuses are created,
none destroyed. This all happens in the laboratory at the cellular level.
Now, there are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable future, who
would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research. They argue that
interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even one that
will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual fetus, is
tantamount to murder. A few of these folks, needless to say, are just grinding a
political axe and they should be ashamed of themselves. But many are well-meaning
and sincere. Their belief is just that, an article of faith, and they are
entitled to it.
But it does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to forestall
the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we abandon
those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?
It is a hallmark of human intelligence that we are able to make distinctions.
Yes, these cells could theoretically have the potential, under very different
circumstances, to develop into human beings-that potential is where their magic
lies. But they are not, in and of themselves, human beings. They have no fingers
and toes, no brain or spinal cord. They have no thoughts, no fears. They feel no
pain. Surely we can distinguish between these undifferentiated cells multiplying
in a tissue culture and a living, breathing person-a parent, a spouse, a child.
I know a child-well, she must be 13 now-I'd better call her a young woman. She
has fingers and toes. She has a mind. She has memories. She has hopes. And she
has juvenile diabetes.
Like so many kids with this disease, she has adjusted amazingly well. The insulin
pump she wears-she's decorated hers with rhinestones. She can insert her own
catheter needle. She has learned to sleep through the blood drawings in the wee
hours of the morning. She's very brave. She is also quite bright and understands
full well the progress of her disease and what that might ultimately mean:
blindness, amputation, diabetic coma. Every day, she fights to have a future.
What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now? What might we
tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given an
opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition, we lost
our nerve? That even though we knew better, we did nothing?
And, should we fail, how will we feel if, a few years from now, a more
enlightened generation should fulfill the promise of embryonic stem cell therapy?
Imagine what they would say of us who lacked the will.
No, we owe this young woman and all those who suffer-we owe ourselves-better than
that. We are better than that. A wiser people, a finer nation. And for all of us
in this fight, let me say: we will prevail.
The tide of history is with us. Like all generations who have come before ours,
we are motivated by a thirst for knowledge and compelled to see others in need as
fellow angels on an often difficult path, deserving of our compassion.
In a few months, we will face a choice. Yes, between two candidates and two
parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride forward for
the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past, between
reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is our
moment, and we must not falter.
Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote for
embryonic stem cell research. Thank you for your time.
BOSTON — The text of Ron Reagan's speech at the Democratic convention in Boston
Tuesday, July 27, 2004:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127217,00.html
rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04_dnc072704_reagan.rm
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=Ron+Reagan&image1.x=24&image1.y=8&image1=Submit
.
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| User: "Robert Miller" |
|
| Title: Re: Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
19 Aug 2004 09:17:38 PM |
|
|
I have a simple question.
Since there is great promise of using Adult stemcells and
no controversy with the use of adult stemcells why do you
only concern yourself with embryonic stemcell research?
It seems that there is another motivation than stemcell research.
Robert Miller
member of www.norfed.org
Bringing Ameica back to value $1 at a time!
"Immortalist" <Reanimater_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hKSdnY5eI_InL5rcRVn-rg@comcast.com...
...I am here tonight to talk about the issue of research into what may be
the
greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime:
the use of embryonic stem cells-cells created
using the material of our own bodies-to cure a
wide range of fatal and debilitating illnesses:
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes,
lymphoma, spinal cord injuries, and much more.
Millions are afflicted. Every year, every day, tragedy is visited upon
families
across the country, around the world.
Now, we may be able to put an end to this suffering. We only need to try.
...Let's say that ten or so years from now you are diagnosed with
Parkinson's
disease. There is currently no cure and drug therapy, with its attendant
side-effects, can only temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Now, imagine going to a doctor who, instead
of prescribing drugs, takes a few skin cells
from your arm. The nucleus of one of your
cells is placed into a donor egg whose
own nucleus has been removed.
A bit of chemical or electrical stimulation
will encourage your cell's nucleus to begin
dividing, creating new cells which will
then be placed into a tissue culture.
Those cells will generate embryonic
stem cells containing only your DNA,
thereby eliminating the risk of
tissue rejection.
These stem cells are then driven to become
the very neural cells that are defective
in Parkinson's patients.
And finally, those cells-with your DNA-are
injected into your brain where they will
replace the faulty cells whose failure to
produce adequate dopamine led to the
Parkinson's disease in the first place.
In other words, you're cured. And another thing, these embryonic stem
cells, they
could continue to replicate indefinitely and, theoretically, can be
induced to
recreate virtually any tissue in your body. How'd you like to have your
own
personal biological repair kit standing by at the hospital? Sound like
magic?
Welcome to the future of medicine.
By the way, no fetal tissue is involved in this process. No fetuses are
created,
none destroyed. This all happens in the laboratory at the cellular level.
Now, there are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable future,
who
would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research. They argue
that
interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even
one that
will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual
fetus, is
tantamount to murder. A few of these folks, needless to say, are just
grinding a
political axe and they should be ashamed of themselves. But many are
well-meaning
and sincere. Their belief is just that, an article of faith, and they are
entitled to it.
But it does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to
forestall
the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we
abandon
those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?
It is a hallmark of human intelligence that we are able to make
distinctions.
Yes, these cells could theoretically have the potential, under very
different
circumstances, to develop into human beings-that potential is where their
magic
lies. But they are not, in and of themselves, human beings. They have no
fingers
and toes, no brain or spinal cord. They have no thoughts, no fears. They
feel no
pain. Surely we can distinguish between these undifferentiated cells
multiplying
in a tissue culture and a living, breathing person-a parent, a spouse, a
child.
I know a child-well, she must be 13 now-I'd better call her a young woman.
She
has fingers and toes. She has a mind. She has memories. She has hopes. And
she
has juvenile diabetes.
Like so many kids with this disease, she has adjusted amazingly well. The
insulin
pump she wears-she's decorated hers with rhinestones. She can insert her
own
catheter needle. She has learned to sleep through the blood drawings in
the wee
hours of the morning. She's very brave. She is also quite bright and
understands
full well the progress of her disease and what that might ultimately mean:
blindness, amputation, diabetic coma. Every day, she fights to have a
future.
What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now? What
might we
tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given
an
opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition, we
lost
our nerve? That even though we knew better, we did nothing?
And, should we fail, how will we feel if, a few years from now, a more
enlightened generation should fulfill the promise of embryonic stem cell
therapy?
Imagine what they would say of us who lacked the will.
No, we owe this young woman and all those who suffer-we owe
ourselves-better than
that. We are better than that. A wiser people, a finer nation. And for all
of us
in this fight, let me say: we will prevail.
The tide of history is with us. Like all generations who have come before
ours,
we are motivated by a thirst for knowledge and compelled to see others in
need as
fellow angels on an often difficult path, deserving of our compassion.
In a few months, we will face a choice. Yes, between two candidates and
two
parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride
forward for
the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past,
between
reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is
our
moment, and we must not falter.
Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote
for
embryonic stem cell research. Thank you for your time.
BOSTON - The text of Ron Reagan's speech at the Democratic convention in
Boston
Tuesday, July 27, 2004:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127217,00.html
rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04_dnc072704_reagan.rm
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQue
ryText=Ron+Reagan&image1.x=24&image1.y=8&image1=Submit
.
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| User: "Immortalist" |
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| Title: Re: Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
19 Aug 2004 11:49:43 PM |
|
|
"Robert Miller" <stargazzr@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4IidnZikaOtj9bjcRVn-vg@hemc.net...
I have a simple question.
Since there is great promise of using Adult stemcells and
no controversy with the use of adult stemcells why do you
only concern yourself with embryonic stemcell research?
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell
types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can
theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person
or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the
potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more
specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells
in a tissue or organ, can renew itself, and can differentiate to yield the major
specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary roles of adult stem
cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they
are found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem cell instead of adult
stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined by their origin (the
inner cell mass of the blastocyst), the origin of adult stem cells in mature
tissues is unknown.
Research on adult stem cells has recently generated a great deal of excitement.
Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more tissues than they once
thought possible. This finding has led scientists to ask whether adult stem cells
could be used for transplants. In fact, adult blood forming stem cells from bone
marrow have been used in transplants for 30 years. Certain kinds of adult stem
cells seem to have the ability to differentiate into a number of different cell
types, given the right conditions. If this differentiation of adult stem cells
can be controlled in the laboratory, these cells may become the basis of
therapies for many serious common diseases.
In the past it was thought that once cells had differentiated into one of the 450
or so types of tissues that they could not be changed into any of the other
tissue types. But most geneticists have all along realized that if we can control
the genes we may not even need stem cells, any cell might do, and simply by
changing the network of gene supressors and activators any cell can be turned
into any tissue since all cells in one individual have the entire individual's
genome in every cell.
All this stem cell crap is a temporary trip but hopful till we gain control over
the genes.
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
It seems that there is another motivation than stemcell research.
In order to find that out you must research this Ron Reagan further.
Robert Miller
member of www.norfed.org
Bringing Ameica back to value $1 at a time!
"Immortalist" <Reanimater_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hKSdnY5eI_InL5rcRVn-rg@comcast.com...
...I am here tonight to talk about the issue of research into what may be
the
greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime:
the use of embryonic stem cells-cells created
using the material of our own bodies-to cure a
wide range of fatal and debilitating illnesses:
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes,
lymphoma, spinal cord injuries, and much more.
Millions are afflicted. Every year, every day, tragedy is visited upon
families
across the country, around the world.
Now, we may be able to put an end to this suffering. We only need to try.
...Let's say that ten or so years from now you are diagnosed with
Parkinson's
disease. There is currently no cure and drug therapy, with its attendant
side-effects, can only temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Now, imagine going to a doctor who, instead
of prescribing drugs, takes a few skin cells
from your arm. The nucleus of one of your
cells is placed into a donor egg whose
own nucleus has been removed.
A bit of chemical or electrical stimulation
will encourage your cell's nucleus to begin
dividing, creating new cells which will
then be placed into a tissue culture.
Those cells will generate embryonic
stem cells containing only your DNA,
thereby eliminating the risk of
tissue rejection.
These stem cells are then driven to become
the very neural cells that are defective
in Parkinson's patients.
And finally, those cells-with your DNA-are
injected into your brain where they will
replace the faulty cells whose failure to
produce adequate dopamine led to the
Parkinson's disease in the first place.
In other words, you're cured. And another thing, these embryonic stem
cells, they
could continue to replicate indefinitely and, theoretically, can be
induced to
recreate virtually any tissue in your body. How'd you like to have your
own
personal biological repair kit standing by at the hospital? Sound like
magic?
Welcome to the future of medicine.
By the way, no fetal tissue is involved in this process. No fetuses are
created,
none destroyed. This all happens in the laboratory at the cellular level.
Now, there are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable future,
who
would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research. They argue
that
interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even
one that
will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual
fetus, is
tantamount to murder. A few of these folks, needless to say, are just
grinding a
political axe and they should be ashamed of themselves. But many are
well-meaning
and sincere. Their belief is just that, an article of faith, and they are
entitled to it.
But it does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to
forestall
the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we
abandon
those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?
It is a hallmark of human intelligence that we are able to make
distinctions.
Yes, these cells could theoretically have the potential, under very
different
circumstances, to develop into human beings-that potential is where their
magic
lies. But they are not, in and of themselves, human beings. They have no
fingers
and toes, no brain or spinal cord. They have no thoughts, no fears. They
feel no
pain. Surely we can distinguish between these undifferentiated cells
multiplying
in a tissue culture and a living, breathing person-a parent, a spouse, a
child.
I know a child-well, she must be 13 now-I'd better call her a young woman.
She
has fingers and toes. She has a mind. She has memories. She has hopes. And
she
has juvenile diabetes.
Like so many kids with this disease, she has adjusted amazingly well. The
insulin
pump she wears-she's decorated hers with rhinestones. She can insert her
own
catheter needle. She has learned to sleep through the blood drawings in
the wee
hours of the morning. She's very brave. She is also quite bright and
understands
full well the progress of her disease and what that might ultimately mean:
blindness, amputation, diabetic coma. Every day, she fights to have a
future.
What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now? What
might we
tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given
an
opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition, we
lost
our nerve? That even though we knew better, we did nothing?
And, should we fail, how will we feel if, a few years from now, a more
enlightened generation should fulfill the promise of embryonic stem cell
therapy?
Imagine what they would say of us who lacked the will.
No, we owe this young woman and all those who suffer-we owe
ourselves-better than
that. We are better than that. A wiser people, a finer nation. And for all
of us
in this fight, let me say: we will prevail.
The tide of history is with us. Like all generations who have come before
ours,
we are motivated by a thirst for knowledge and compelled to see others in
need as
fellow angels on an often difficult path, deserving of our compassion.
In a few months, we will face a choice. Yes, between two candidates and
two
parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride
forward for
the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past,
between
reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is
our
moment, and we must not falter.
Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote
for
embryonic stem cell research. Thank you for your time.
BOSTON - The text of Ron Reagan's speech at the Democratic convention in
Boston
Tuesday, July 27, 2004:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127217,00.html
rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04_dnc072704_reagan.rm
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQue
ryText=Ron+Reagan&image1.x=24&image1.y=8&image1=Submit
.
|
|
|
| User: "Anthony Cerrato" |
|
| Title: Re: Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
21 Aug 2004 03:16:48 AM |
|
|
"Immortalist" <Reanimater_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:FMSdnW0lVsTTHrjcRVn-vw@comcast.com...
"Robert Miller" <stargazzr@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4IidnZikaOtj9bjcRVn-vg@hemc.net...
I have a simple question.
Since there is great promise of using Adult stemcells
and
no controversy with the use of adult stemcells why do
you
only concern yourself with embryonic stemcell research?
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into
many different cell
types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for
the body, they can
theoretically divide without limit to replenish other
cells as long as the person
or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each
new cell has the
potential to either remain a stem cell or become another
type of cell with a more
specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood
cell, or a brain cell.
An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among
differentiated cells
in a tissue or organ, can renew itself, and can
differentiate to yield the major
specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary
roles of adult stem
cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the
tissue in which they
are found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem
cell instead of adult
stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined
by their origin (the
inner cell mass of the blastocyst), the origin of adult
stem cells in mature
tissues is unknown.
Research on adult stem cells has recently generated a
great deal of excitement.
Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more
tissues than they once
thought possible. This finding has led scientists to ask
whether adult stem cells
could be used for transplants. In fact, adult blood
forming stem cells from bone
marrow have been used in transplants for 30 years. Certain
kinds of adult stem
cells seem to have the ability to differentiate into a
number of different cell
types, given the right conditions. If this differentiation
of adult stem cells
can be controlled in the laboratory, these cells may
become the basis of
therapies for many serious common diseases.
In the past it was thought that once cells had
differentiated into one of the 450
or so types of tissues that they could not be changed into
any of the other
tissue types. But most geneticists have all along realized
that if we can control
the genes we may not even need stem cells, any cell might
do, and simply by
changing the network of gene supressors and activators any
cell can be turned
into any tissue since all cells in one individual have the
entire individual's
genome in every cell.
All this stem cell crap is a temporary trip but hopful
till we gain control over
the genes.
Certainly, the latter statement is true, and also holds for
adult stem cell research--the catch is it will take many,
many decades to solve these problems this way since it is
developing an entire new knowledge base from scratch,
whereas, using embryonic cell research will likely yield
tangible results within a single decade.
The difference is like painting on a blank canvas (embryonic
cells) and painting on top of an already painted one (adult
cells); on which is it easier to see and interpret the new
painting? For research, embryonic cells will yield more and
basic info and in a much shorter time span. And the
important point is there's no logical, scientific, or
ethical reason not to have both research paths available.
....tonyC
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
[snip]
.
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| User: "Immortalist" |
|
| Title: Re: Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
22 Aug 2004 12:15:49 PM |
|
|
"Anthony Cerrato" <tcerrato@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:QxDVc.1383$Nk4.1031861@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
"Immortalist" <Reanimater_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:FMSdnW0lVsTTHrjcRVn-vw@comcast.com...
"Robert Miller" <stargazzr@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4IidnZikaOtj9bjcRVn-vg@hemc.net...
I have a simple question.
Since there is great promise of using Adult stemcells
and
no controversy with the use of adult stemcells why do
you
only concern yourself with embryonic stemcell research?
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into
many different cell
types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for
the body, they can
theoretically divide without limit to replenish other
cells as long as the person
or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each
new cell has the
potential to either remain a stem cell or become another
type of cell with a more
specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood
cell, or a brain cell.
An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among
differentiated cells
in a tissue or organ, can renew itself, and can
differentiate to yield the major
specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary
roles of adult stem
cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the
tissue in which they
are found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem
cell instead of adult
stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined
by their origin (the
inner cell mass of the blastocyst), the origin of adult
stem cells in mature
tissues is unknown.
Research on adult stem cells has recently generated a
great deal of excitement.
Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more
tissues than they once
thought possible. This finding has led scientists to ask
whether adult stem cells
could be used for transplants. In fact, adult blood
forming stem cells from bone
marrow have been used in transplants for 30 years. Certain
kinds of adult stem
cells seem to have the ability to differentiate into a
number of different cell
types, given the right conditions. If this differentiation
of adult stem cells
can be controlled in the laboratory, these cells may
become the basis of
therapies for many serious common diseases.
In the past it was thought that once cells had
differentiated into one of the 450
or so types of tissues that they could not be changed into
any of the other
tissue types. But most geneticists have all along realized
that if we can control
the genes we may not even need stem cells, any cell might
do, and simply by
changing the network of gene supressors and activators any
cell can be turned
into any tissue since all cells in one individual have the
entire individual's
genome in every cell.
All this stem cell crap is a temporary trip but hopful
till we gain control over
the genes.
Certainly, the latter statement is true, and also holds for
adult stem cell research--the catch is it will take many,
many decades to solve these problems this way since it is
developing an entire new knowledge base from scratch,
whereas, using embryonic cell research will likely yield
tangible results within a single decade.
The difference is like painting on a blank canvas (embryonic
cells) and painting on top of an already painted one (adult
cells); on which is it easier to see and interpret the new
painting? For research, embryonic cells will yield more and
basic info and in a much shorter time span. And the
important point is there's no logical, scientific, or
ethical reason not to have both research paths available.
...tonyC
True. But computer simulations of developmental processes will emulate these
stages and phases soon. We will be able to do all this without physical things
and much quicker once this new science area revolution is mapped out you speak
of. Any circuitous route to a particular cell of 450 types or any of millions of
particular molecules will be known and the information used to find many ways to
get there and produce them.
Developmental biology is about to come into full force as a complete science of
stage and phase and will at first sound Hegalian.
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
[snip]
.
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| User: "ouroboros rex" |
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| Title: Re: Personal (embryonic_stem_cell) Repair Kit - Ron Reagan - Democrat Convention |
20 Aug 2004 10:29:53 AM |
|
|
"Robert Miller" <stargazzr@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4IidnZikaOtj9bjcRVn-vg@hemc.net...
I have a simple question.
Since there is great promise of using Adult stemcells and
no controversy with the use of adult stemcells why do you
only concern yourself with embryonic stemcell research?
It seems that there is another motivation than stemcell research.
Nope, embryonic stem cells are the only option that avoids a thousand
dollars a month of antirejection drugs for life. Further, they are from the
patient's own genes.
Robert Miller
member of www.norfed.org
Bringing Ameica back to value $1 at a time!
"Immortalist" <Reanimater_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hKSdnY5eI_InL5rcRVn-rg@comcast.com...
...I am here tonight to talk about the issue of research into what may
be
the
greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime:
the use of embryonic stem cells-cells created
using the material of our own bodies-to cure a
wide range of fatal and debilitating illnesses:
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes,
lymphoma, spinal cord injuries, and much more.
Millions are afflicted. Every year, every day, tragedy is visited upon
families
across the country, around the world.
Now, we may be able to put an end to this suffering. We only need to
try.
...Let's say that ten or so years from now you are diagnosed with
Parkinson's
disease. There is currently no cure and drug therapy, with its attendant
side-effects, can only temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Now, imagine going to a doctor who, instead
of prescribing drugs, takes a few skin cells
from your arm. The nucleus of one of your
cells is placed into a donor egg whose
own nucleus has been removed.
A bit of chemical or electrical stimulation
will encourage your cell's nucleus to begin
dividing, creating new cells which will
then be placed into a tissue culture.
Those cells will generate embryonic
stem cells containing only your DNA,
thereby eliminating the risk of
tissue rejection.
These stem cells are then driven to become
the very neural cells that are defective
in Parkinson's patients.
And finally, those cells-with your DNA-are
injected into your brain where they will
replace the faulty cells whose failure to
produce adequate dopamine led to the
Parkinson's disease in the first place.
In other words, you're cured. And another thing, these embryonic stem
cells, they
could continue to replicate indefinitely and, theoretically, can be
induced to
recreate virtually any tissue in your body. How'd you like to have your
own
personal biological repair kit standing by at the hospital? Sound like
magic?
Welcome to the future of medicine.
By the way, no fetal tissue is involved in this process. No fetuses are
created,
none destroyed. This all happens in the laboratory at the cellular
level.
Now, there are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable
future,
who
would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research. They argue
that
interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even
one that
will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual
fetus, is
tantamount to murder. A few of these folks, needless to say, are just
grinding a
political axe and they should be ashamed of themselves. But many are
well-meaning
and sincere. Their belief is just that, an article of faith, and they
are
entitled to it.
But it does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to
forestall
the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we
abandon
those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?
It is a hallmark of human intelligence that we are able to make
distinctions.
Yes, these cells could theoretically have the potential, under very
different
circumstances, to develop into human beings-that potential is where
their
magic
lies. But they are not, in and of themselves, human beings. They have no
fingers
and toes, no brain or spinal cord. They have no thoughts, no fears. They
feel no
pain. Surely we can distinguish between these undifferentiated cells
multiplying
in a tissue culture and a living, breathing person-a parent, a spouse, a
child.
I know a child-well, she must be 13 now-I'd better call her a young
woman.
She
has fingers and toes. She has a mind. She has memories. She has hopes.
And
she
has juvenile diabetes.
Like so many kids with this disease, she has adjusted amazingly well.
The
insulin
pump she wears-she's decorated hers with rhinestones. She can insert her
own
catheter needle. She has learned to sleep through the blood drawings in
the wee
hours of the morning. She's very brave. She is also quite bright and
understands
full well the progress of her disease and what that might ultimately
mean:
blindness, amputation, diabetic coma. Every day, she fights to have a
future.
What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now? What
might we
tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given
an
opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition,
we
lost
our nerve? That even though we knew better, we did nothing?
And, should we fail, how will we feel if, a few years from now, a more
enlightened generation should fulfill the promise of embryonic stem cell
therapy?
Imagine what they would say of us who lacked the will.
No, we owe this young woman and all those who suffer-we owe
ourselves-better than
that. We are better than that. A wiser people, a finer nation. And for
all
of us
in this fight, let me say: we will prevail.
The tide of history is with us. Like all generations who have come
before
ours,
we are motivated by a thirst for knowledge and compelled to see others
in
need as
fellow angels on an often difficult path, deserving of our compassion.
In a few months, we will face a choice. Yes, between two candidates and
two
parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride
forward for
the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past,
between
reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is
our
moment, and we must not falter.
Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote
for
embryonic stem cell research. Thank you for your time.
BOSTON - The text of Ron Reagan's speech at the Democratic convention
in
Boston
Tuesday, July 27, 2004:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127217,00.html
rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04_dnc072704_reagan.rm
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQue
ryText=Ron+Reagan&image1.x=24&image1.y=8&image1=Submit
.
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