Adult vs. Embryonic

Scientifically, somatic cell nuclear transfer has not produced a single cure, whereas adult stem cell research has produced verifiable therapeutic benefits results.

In a commentary by Toni Meyer, in the Home News Tribune (a central New Jersey daily newspaper) published Dec. 21, 2004, she states “Adult stem cells have already successfully treated spinal-cord injuries, leukemia, and even Parkinson’s disease. They are derived from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fluid, various tissues and organ systems like skin and the liver, and even fat obtained from liposuction.”

The successful use of adult stem cells in treatment of disease stands in sharp contrast to the lack of success of embryonic stem cells.

Diseases in which adult stem cells have been successfully used in humans:

1. Brain Cancer

2. Retinoblastoma

3. Ovarian Cancer

4. Merkel Cell Cancer

5. Testicular Cancer

6. Lymphoma

7. Acute Lymphobolastic Leukemia

8. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

9. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

10. Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia

11. Angioimmunoblastic Lympha-denopathy with Dysproteinemia

12. Multiple Myeloma

13. Myelodysplasia

14. Breast Cancer

15. Neuroblastoma

16. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

17. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

18. Renal Cell Carcinoma

19. Various Solid Tumors

20. Soft Tissue Sarcoma

21. Scleromyxedema

22. Multiple Sclerosis

23. Crohn’s Disease

24. Rheumatoid Arthritis

25. Juvenile Arthritis

26. Systemic Lupus

27. Polychondritis

28. Systemic Vasculitis

29. Sjogren’s Syndrome

30. Behcet’s Disease

31. Myasthenia

32. Red Cell Aplasia

33. Autoimmune Cytopenia

34. X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome

35. X-Linked Hyperimmunoglobuline-M Syndrome

36. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome-X1

37. Sickle Cell Anemia

38. Sideroblastic Anemia

39. Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

40. Aplastic Anemia

41. Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia

42. Chronic Epstein-Barr Infection

43. Fanconi’s Anemia

44. Diamond Blackfan Anemia

45. Thalassemia

46. Stroke

47. Osteogenesis Imperfecta

48. Sandhoff Disease

49. Corneal Regeneration

50. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

51. Primary Amyloidosis

52. Limb Gangrene

53. Surface Wound Healing

54. Heart Damage

55. Parkinson’s Disease

56. Spinal Cord Injury

The Economic Issue

Many biotech firms argue that embryonic stem cell research is important for the economic benefits it may bring to the community. Successful business ventures ordinarily bring economic benefit to a community. However “successful” is not synonymous with “ethical” - especially when science and medicine are concerned.

The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (http://www.cbhd.org) states “that doing research on embryonic parts is good science. But so is taking random people in the population, giving them a deadly disease, and watching the progression. There are certain things we just don’t do because they undermine our society and assault our humanity. “

“During the annual ‘Berlin Speech’ on May 18th, 2001, German President Johannes Rau spoke ardently in defense of human dignity and against the subjection of human life to economic interests saying, ‘Surely we can agree that an ethically unjustifiable act does not become allowable simply by promising economic benefit.’ If economics begin determining our ethics, if money is our ruler for how we treat our neighbor, we will slowly begin to cannibalize ourselves. The only protection from harm will become wealth and power.”

The Center observes “The potential for economic benefit has become the impetus for building coalitions that are defying ideological divisions and party politics. Free-market capitalists and investors have joined with patient advocates and scientists to favor an unrestrained biotech future. The recent German Parliament debate on bioethics is just one illustration of the political upheaval that biotechnology is generating. Many worry about being left behind in the biotechnological revolution. But willingness to make economic criteria primary in social ethics, as German Chancellor Gerard Schroder recently suggested, undermines the very social structures that support that economic system.”