Counter the Culture: ESCR Fact Sheet
A stem cell is one of the human body’s master cells. They are unspecialized (immature) cells that have the ability to grow into any one of the body’s more than 200 cell types. Stem cells help the body to renew and repair itself and have the ability to become highly specialized and take the place of other cells that are lost or die. (Medterms.com).
An embryonic stem cell is a stem cell from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst (a fertilized egg not more than 5 days old). Use of these cells in scientific research requires the destruction of the human embryo thus ending its life. (stemcells.nih.gov). Although many claims are being made about the potential healing therapies of ESC, after more than 30 years of on-going research, not one therapy or cure has been developed because of problematic tumor growth on the cells. **
An adult stem cell is thought to be an undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells in tissues and organs. There job is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. They are plentiful throughout every human body, are relatively simple to harvest and present no threat to human life. (stemcells.nih.gov). At the time of this writing, over 100 therapies and cures have been developed using many different types of ASC. Advances are being made every year.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (PSCi) are adult stem cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Since this type of stem cell is created using ASCs, research using PSCi present no treat to human life. (stemcells.nih.gov). We first began to hear of these cells in 2006 and they seem to represent the greatest regenerative possibilities. These cells seem to have all of the versatility of ESCs without the ethical problems and tumor growth.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells are the mother cells the body uses to create the key components in blood and the immune system. They are plentiful in umbilical cord blood and can be easily collected. Use of umbilical cord blood presents no threat to human life. Umbilical Cord Banking is a fast growing branch of stem cell research and at the time of this writing is used to in over 70 medical treatments and cures.
In addition to the intentional destruction of embryos, ESCR contributes to the exploitation of women through egg harvesting using little researched hyper stimulation drugs. Also, the sheer number of embryos required for this type of stem cell research opens the door to the necessity for Somatic Nuclear Transfer (SNT), otherwise known as human cloning.
Despite a crumbling New York State economy, Governor David Patterson announced in May, 2008 nearly $109 million dollars in new Stem Cell spending. This is part of the 600 million dollar Stem Cell Research Initiative through the Empire State Stem Cell Trust that will span 11 years. There are NO stipulations on how much of this money will be spent on Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
New York State is among a minority of states that allows Stem Cell Research on cells obtained from ANY source. Many other states forbid embryo derived stem cell research, or limit it based on the consent of the parents.
Over 70 different cures or treatments have been found through Adult Stem Cell research. NO cures or treatments have been discovered through embryonic stem cell research, even after 35 years of experimentation.
ES cells created from Embryos are not identical to the original cells. For that reason, they can be patented. This is why some scientists are eager to pursue Embryonic Stem Cell Research, not because of the potential for cures, but because of the financial potential of a patented cell line.
Private companies continue to financially invest in Adult Stem Cell Research because they recognize the proven results and the economic potential. The Embryonic Stem Cell Research community depends on tax dollars and government grants to fund their research. Why? Because the private sector refuses to invest in a lost cause.
Information on Embryo Adoption