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Talkback
What do you think the future holds for stem cell research? Share your response and your reactions to MAPPING STEM CELL RESEARCH: Terra Incognita.
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As a thinking person and a retired 8th grade science teacher, I am horrified by the so called "religious" people who seem to not think. I think using embryonic stem cells is an exciting, and "real", use of a throw away product. I hope the new president will continue to support science and to make it possible for people to be helped.
The people who need it most are the medically disadvantaged. There should be only one opinion in this matter. So, stick with it and let nobody approve of disapprove it.
I see Stem Cell research as a step into the future - i certainly hope this "future" is near at hand as i have a daughter who was injured in an automobile accident in 1981, suffered brain stem damage and my hope is that research will help her. For the past 27 years she has "trudged" thru life not sure why she was chosen to live her life in this way. She suffers paralysis on left side, eye damage, speech impediment - seems most parts of her body have been affected in some way... help in almost any area would be a blessing
When will we be abel to grow a new tooth using stemcells?
I thought that the piece was very insightful and as a person whom suffers from neurological pain it would be great to see this research advanced and cures for so many illness found.
What does religion have to do with it? Human embryos are human beings according to science, whether one is religious or not.
When will religious fundamentalists learn to stop trying to control how we as society proceed with their lives. We live in a democracy where the will of the people is the leading factor in deciding what our government does. Most people in the US support embryonic stem cell research, therefore our government should.
If it makes religious zealots that mad, MOVE!
No...the experts disagree. Problem is, you're only interested in listening to the experts on your "side."
So exactly what makes some of you experts on stem cell research? What research have you published and contributed to science. How many of you even have research experience? What advanced degrees in science do you have?
I find it best, just like when getting my car fixed or going to the doctor, to listen to the experts. The experts at Harvard, John Hopkins, and even the director of the NIH believe that all stem cell research, including embryonic and adult, should be supported and receive money from the federal government.
I'm going with the experts on this.
I.S., I have yet to meet anyone who "likes wars a great deal." There are those who believe that military action is sometimes justified, but that's moving away from your straw-man argument, isn't it? Furthermore, many who oppose the killing of unborn human beings are equally opposed to killing born human beings via the death penalty. And we don't want to see embryonic human beings discarded any more than we want to see them destroyed for research. Both actions should be banned.
Meanwhile, while the misconception being repeated on this thread is that adult, non-embryonic stem cells just aren't that promising, in actuality they're already helping thousands of people in the fight against more than 70 diseases, and more human trials are about to get underway...
Human trials with adult stem cells to help patients with stroke or cerebral palsy: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/95611.php
The majority of heart failure patients treated with adult stem cells see improvement: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2008/2/prweb684393.htm
Oops! Sorry, there I go again, providing actual facts...
I hear so much about "the sanctity of life" from people who like wars a great deal and think the death penalty is a deterrent... what about the life that is here, kicking - barely - and in a wheelchair? One of the students pointed out that these 3-4 day embryos are DISCARDED if not used for research. Who benefits if we destroy living cell rather than using them for research.
I recently saw this program and heartily support the stem cell research being done by Dr. Kessler and his team. When I think of your efforts, I will imagine only your success.
just curious whether the gel that Dr. Kessler used on the mice actually contained stem cells. there was more talk about the architecture that the gel created for the axions to bridge and so I was actually wondering where exactly the stem cells fit into his process. btw, i have a friend who had the controversial stem cell surgery from Dr Huang (sp?) in China and he is walking again ! thank you.
"Jason G. Hull, Adult Stem Cells haven't helped one person with a Spinal Cord Injury! Or I would be walking! Its a myth being spread by lyers with an agenda."
WHAT?! You're actually arguing that if YOU haven't benefitted from an adult stem-cell treatment that NO ONE has? Is that really your argument?
Folks, Dr. Carlos Lima of Portugal, just to name one, is helping people to walk (with braces) with the use of adult stem-cell treatments. It's not an official, go-head-down-to-your-local-drugstore-right-away cure yet, of course, but certainly cause for cautious optimism, not the apathy it's received. In addition, people with Parkinson's, indeed, HAVE found great relief, thanks to adult stem cells. Just type the names "Dennis Turner" and/or "Andrew Kisana" into your friendly neighborhood search engine and let me know what you find. Then there was the adult stem-cell human trial for juvenile diabetes patients last year in Brazil. No, not an FDA-approved, "readily available cure" yet -- especially since it's taking place in South America -- but, then, that's why they call it a HUMAN TRIAL, right?
I am sorry for the tragedy that befell Dr. Kessler's daughter, but human being is a human being no matter his or her size, the environment he or she lives in, or his or her state of dependency. Is his daughter less human because she cannot walk? Once we start manipulating a human being, which means anywhere from a viable cell with a full complement of human genes up to a mature man or woman, I believe we are going down the the same slippery slope as Dr. Mengele and the Nazi regime of WWII. The sanctity or human life should not be trifled with, as this leads to one human becoming more "valuble" than another. I thought we were supposed to support an egalitarian society?
"If the President's daughters had been affected by spinal cord injuries might he have used his veto power against the stem cell research bill so swiftly?"
Probably, since there are so many people who are afflicted with these ailments, such as paralysis, who nonetheless oppose the destruction of embryonic human beings. An online friend of mine is a paralytic who blogs against ESCR. You really need to quit assuming that everyone against ESCR has led a charmed life free of disease and heartbreak.
Jason G. Hull, Adult Stem Cells haven't helped one person with a Spinal Cord Injury! Or I would be walking! Its a myth being spread by lyers with an agenda.
Enjoyed this film very much both for its contents and for its film-making qualities. I am the sister of a world-class immunologist/cell biologist who has himself made remarkable breakthroughs in his 30+ year career and I related well to Dr. Kessler and his team. Their discipline and focus is simply remarkable, especially relative to that of other so-called American leaders (in science and elsewhere) that we hear from and about every day. These scientists are our true heroes and I appreciate greatly your efforts to bring their collective efforts, their unwavering commitment and their humanity to the attention of the PBS viewing audience.
While I am unsure of my own feelings about embryonic stem cell research and I do not consider myself religious, I have to say that the Catholic church and fundamental Christians were certainly given a bad rap as, exhaustingly again, the enemy of growth and change.
Firstly, the question of when life begins is a moral issue, and morality is not exclusive to those who believe in the New Testament. Secondly, I think it’s dangerous for science to simply shrug off a religious perspective, even if the religion was guilty of the Crusades – which Kessler made deliberate reference to in the title of his article – over 700 years ago. Religion is essentially a construct of experiences, of ethical trials and errors, developed over many thousands of years, in some cases, into a code of conduct and belief. Problems begin when people dismiss these beliefs as blind obedience to nonsense and stop respectfully trying to understand them.
If Kessler's opposing perspective was going to have any mention in the program at all, simply having a stereotypically Irish-looking Catholic priest using Bushesque terms like “inherently evil” is frankly insulting to the intellect of the PBS audience. I was also uneasy when Kessler’s colleague held a forum conspicuously off-campus with the blank slates that are young undergrads and essentially fed them her opinion.
Those who disagree with her opinion are not mindless droids of an old man with a white hat in Rome (no offense to Benedict) and her opinion is not the opinion of science as a whole, though she presented both as such. Which then leads me to wonder, where are the scientists (on the outside of the “many” who share Kessler’s opinion) who have scientific evidence to support an opinion that life DOES begin in the blastocyst stage? What have they got to say and why weren’t they invited to say it? Lastly, I find it hard to believe that Kessler, portrayed as a loving father who is driven by love to help his daughter (and I do not doubt that he is), would sit around complaining about a scientific standstill because Christians won’t get out of his way.
It’s more believable to me that a desperate father/scientist would be exploring all options readily available to him – hello, adult stem cells! Incongruities such as this made me suspect biased propaganda by the editors – especially on the eve of Roe v Wade anniversary – and made me suspicious of the documentary’s validity. Had the same fairness standards used in scientific study been applied to this program, it may have pulled me off of my ethical fence in Kessler’s favor.
Hi! I missed the show but ordered the DVD. My 15 year old son is a T-8-10 complete. Has been for nearly 11 years. I am very interested in what the doctor has to say as I've been seriously thinking of traveling to China for a procedure that they're doing there. www.China Stem cells.org They seem to be so far along in this study to find a cure. I wish the USA would put down their sticks and stones and think of the people who are living for the day they can get out of a chair. I hope this film shakes up those who hold not only the purse strings but all SCI's hostage.
Survival of our species depends on critical thinking. Critical thinking occurs despite paralysis or physical incapacity or the ignorance of others. Kudos to Drs. Kessler and his research team for their patient progress in research which parallels the girls' daily victories in their wheelchairs successfully pursuing higher education.
If the President's daughters had been affected by spinal cord injuries might he have used his veto power against the stem cell research bill so swiftly?
It's much easier to take the so-called "moral stance" when you are capable of movement. Science always finds a way around neanderthal thinking, albeit more slowly. Ignorance is the real "disability".
Hi, I was very impressed with the video.I am in agreement that stem cell research should continue as I have a personal stake in this.I'm from Canada and my husband was diagnosed with Cancer-Multiple Myeloma in November of 2002.He received a stem cell transplant in May of 2003.At the time he was diagnosed he was give a possible 3 to 4 years as he was in forth stage.He is still with us and I thank God every day.I also think God gave us Doctors to do his work for him,so,I think that God would want them to keep up research.Also it takes two people to conceive not a test tube!Continue your work!Like you I would do anything for my family and their health!
Hear Hear! Thank you for a most informative program and THANK YOU Dr. kelller and your staff of researchers. This show gives me hope for the future spinal cord injury patients that are to come. I have lived with spinal cord injury for over 35 years and am now 56, I have lived happily and a very fufilling life as a parapalegic.
My wish is that no one else has to step into my shoes, or should I say wheels. I hope to see the success of this research in my lifetime..
I was injured 6/5/05 in a diving accident. I have a C4-C5 complete injury. My ENTIRE life changed in a blink of an eye. I wish these religious leaders and politicians life ONE DAY in my shoes. I'm POSITIVE they would change their views. It's not just about not being able to walk. I lost all ability to care for myself. EVERY aspect of my life has been affected. I can't even do the most basic of things that people take for granted (going to the bathroom, getting dressed, bathing). I whole heartedly believe in the possibility for a cure & I've made it my mission to educate others as well. I agree that people need to see the REALITY of living with a SCI. I live in NJ and recently wrote an article for our Star Ledger which addresses these same issues. I consider the people that oppose this research ignorant and cold hearted. It is so frustrating to know that there is so much promising science that could help me, but it is held up again & again because of ignorance. Most people have no clue as to the hell I go through every day. Every veto, every vote of "no" means more and more time is added to my life in a chair & dependence on others. Thank you so much for all that you're doing. I've added your link to my website in hopes of spreading the word.
www.myspace.com/sci_cure
As a medical professional, I was actually glad to see this story. I have been somewhat swayed like the general poppulation to believe that embryonic stem cells were actually fertilized eggs being experimented on for research. What an eye opener to see this isn't the case. If a medical professional can be swayed by the general poppulations idea that we are killing new babies, then the entire nation is confused by "what they think" stem cells are and where they originate. If a non-fertilized egg can be inserted with DNA from that individual person and the resulting cell able to replace damaged cells within that individual, we are not destroying a human life, but increasing a normal life within that individual.
I watched the documentary last night on PBS here in NY. I was AMAZED at what I saw ... and learned about stem cell research. My heart, however, ached for the parents and for the young women who were injured. Allison is an amazing young woman and watching her on the Charles River with the Crew team, baking for her her first dinner party, etc., was poignant. She is so fortunate to have a father who has devoted his life to trying to help restore mobility to injured people using stem cell research. He is a phenomenal dr/researcher. The love of all the parents for their children was so evident.
It is heartening as well that Dr. Kaufman's daughter is doing so well, and has completed college, etc., They aren't sitting around feeling sorry for themselves; they have gotten on with their lives. I wish them all the best in life, and am confident that at some point in the future strides in science will be made that will be useful.
Unless you are a quad, or have a family member who is, don't preach to me. I've been a quad since 1971. I can't move anything. I need a machine to help me breathe. I depend on caretakers to force my body to have a bowel movement. They bathe me, dress me, feed me and, if they don't show up I'm up the creek without a paddle! I now have patholical bone breakage because I've been paralyzed for so long. I have no privacy, EVER! Living this way is not noble. If you let yourself dwell on it, it's humiliating & depressing.
Stem cells won't help me because my spine was damaged so long ago. AT LEAST, LET RESEARCHERS FIND OUT IF THERE IS A CHANCE OF HELPING THOSE MORE RECENTLY INJURED OR ILL.
Talk is cheap, so get off that preacher's podium. If it gives you any comfort, as yourself what Jesus would do. I think he'd try to find the cure.
First of all, as a piece of filmmaking, "Mapping Stem Cell Research" was fantastic. My appreciation to the filmmakers for all their hard work.
I also appreciate the hard work of the researchers. Dr. Kessler made it clear that he considers himself to be laboring under an imperative to relieve suffering. We all feel the power of that imperative at one time or another, particularly when it is our loved one doing the suffering. Although it was not discussed as explicitly, the fact is that science as a human discipline - building a body of knowledge accessible to the entire world - has its own imperatives, to learn. The possible utility of the research is only one dimension. The painstaking efforts to generate meaningful data might bear fruit for other researchers in unforeseen ways.
Inasmuch as the film recognized some explicitly religious points of view, it was very helpful. I particularly liked the comments of the priest regarding the role played by suffering in the spiritual growth of human beings. Suffering is an evil - and so we can all affirm Dr. Kessler in his determination to resist it by scientific means - but the question remains of how to respond to evil in such a way as to glorify God, that is, maintain our identity as loving and courageous people. For Christians, the prominence of the cross is a constant reminder that to avoid suffering is of no intrinsic value whatsoever.
Where Christians appear to have impeded stem cell research out of ignorance, I am embarrassed. I implore those who repudiate all faith commitments to remember that Christianity (with its faith commitment to the notion of an orderly and contingent cosmos) laid the groundwork for the institution of modern science in the West. Those who think that all religious convictions must "die off" before the human race can fully benefit from scientific research have stopped thinking too soon. For one thing, they have restricted their analysis to explicitly religious statements, and so have excluded their own convictions from scrutiny.
By far one of the best documentaries I have seen on WNET, and I watch nightly. We have exactly 1 year and 1 day until we might be able to turn Back to the Future, and enable visionaries like Dr. Kessler to pursue research that is supported by our collective tax dollars. My faith in this country is renewed. The Age of Enlightenment is thankfully not limited to the 18th century. I have re-upped my membership to channel 13 as a result of viewing this program.
A moving and compelling program which only increased my frustration and exasperation with Bush's veto and this administration's incomprehensible position vis a vis stem cell research. I have absolutely no patience for any the religious objections which only manage to delay the progress of these studies. I agree with Dr. Kessler, the main concern is to alleviate the suffering of our fellow human beings.
The Conservative Catholic hierarchy are entitled to express their moral views on whatever they like, but the rest of us are likewise entitled to expose the past record of that body on important public issues. Far from deserving to be viewed as the moral giants they think they are entitled to be, what the record shows, as I demonstrate at http://CatholicArrogance.Org/ is that Conservative Catholic hierarchy have often proven themselves to be moral pygmies!
If only enlightened people would make it a point to publicize the facts that I have documented on that site every time these pompous clerics tried to throw their weight around inappropriately, they would soon learn to stick to their knitting!
Am I the only person who was paying close attention and interested ---(although I'm sure the embryonic necessity will soon be eliminated)--until the part where the animals (rats) were injured in order to do comparisons (controls). What one might consider scientific/medical advance, another may consider barbaric. As a chemist (once, now retired), I cannot imagine anything of value resulting from damging of another creature. Yes, of course, I am an animal owner--in fact I have a partially paralyzed cat who might benefit from this gel--but I hope nothing else would have to suffer/die for improvement to her and my life. Do the ends justify the means?
I was injured on the job at the US White House, Protocol Staff. Now I am a medically retired GS-12 with spinal injury. Where can I find a clinic that might be looking for
test subjects.?? I would volunteer without a thought.
I just can't believe Pres Bush's thoughts on this.
He is more ignorant then what he appears.
I loved this program. These extraordinary women show limitless courage and a strong desire for life no matter what challenges they faced in a wheelchair. What wouldn't a parent do for their child to want to make their lives better? The lack of open-mindedness in science will prohibit any future medical advances. My daughter's life was saved 10 years ago in a cardio cath lab at four months old. I pray everyday for scientific advances she might need again in the future. Thank you for all your hard arduous study.
Outstanding film. A couple of important points for those who still don't grasp the science:
--adult stem cell research is not opposed by those who support embryonic stem cell research; in fact, adult stem cell research is funded, and has been funded, at levels that far exceed those for embryonic stem cell research, thanks to the federal restrictions
--adult stem cell research is very successful for blood borne diseases, but has not been successful (even after 30 plus years of research) for other diseases, like diabetes
--no reputable scientist opposes embryonic stem cell research on scientific grounds; and hundreds of scientists and research institutions have publically voiced support for all forms of the research
--if you oppose embryonic stem cell research you also must oppose fertility treatments, which have already resulted in the destruction of countless embryos. If you do not oppose this widely accepted work, which has benefited so many, then you cannot claim any moral superiority in your opposition to embryonic stem cell research.
For excellent information on stem cell research see:
www.jdrf.org
www.camradvocacy.org
www.iscr.org
Thanks to those who continue to advocate for this important work
As a moderate thinking religious person, no, as a human I am saddened by the comments of my fellow humans on this blog. Have we learned nothing from history? The Christians of the past killed for their beliefs, doctrines, and ideas of God and church. Now, many will kill or harm the religious for their own scientific beliefs, doctrines, and ideas. Neither is correct.
To see religion, and Christianity in particular, as opposed or the adversary of science is incorrect, although some are indeed adversarial. After all it was the Methodist Church that started and supported Northwestern University, the same university that this hopefully pivotal research is being conducted. Thus, the so-called enemy of rational, scientific thought started an institution for the advancement of rational, and scientific thought. Does this sound like the motivations of people that want a return to ignorance and the Dark Ages?
Religion is not the enemy, nor is science the enemy; rather the enemy is a lack of peace, love, and understanding between groups with opposing ideas and mores. I hope that this lack of moderation will not decide our fate in the eyes of history. Tyranny for any reason or justification is still tyranny.
This was one of the most dramatic and sensitive as well as informative documentaries I have ever viewed. I had tears in my eyes at various times during the film. One can only hope that when the US has a change of administration, federal funding for stem cell research can be restored.
Keep up your most important and inspiring work.
Its ashamed that in a super great country like ours we can't move forward in scientific achievments but will have to watch other countries like Japan and countries in Europe develop incredible breakthroughs first. We will then travel abroad to get treatments or sit and watch with frustration as others and not us go down in history. I beleive in God very much but we as humans are curious and always have been. We are on this earth to LIVE life and not hide in a hole. If God would have intended that for us, we would not be self aware and have a conscience and understand right from wrong and be able to examine and pick things up with our hands.
Now is the time for great innovation and technology. As we Americans fight and argue about so much, we will probably watch other countries make huge discoveries, cure diseases, maybe even go to mars first. No I am not putting our great country down, not at all, but its time to wake up and get back the brillant and excited motivation that made us the greatest country on this earth in just a few hundred years.
Its time to stand up again.
God Bless Doctor Kessler and all who are working so hard and putting up so much of their money for great causes!!!
Keep up the great work!!!
Jack doesn't really understand the objection to using embryos, fetuses, or blastocysts or whatever they are.
He should not base his counter-argument on "helping others" as a moral issue of all religions but he should base it on the FACT that if, even an in-vitro embryon splits before 14 days it becomes twins, or triplets or however many individuals it ends up being.
But the FACT that it can't be an individual before this time, and even beyond, is PROOF that it is not a 'human being with a (count 'em "a") soul.
The World was Flat! And what did we get for that compromise with superstition.
I say this as a Christian myself. But it frustrates me because even though Jack has a good reason to have a heavy emotional involvement in continuing research he is very IGNORANT of the real moral issues at play.
A human product is not necessarily a human being. That much he got right. But if geneticists get to the point where they can clone human beings from hair cells, what then? Is a haircut mass murder on a global scale?
So the issue of "potential" versus "actual" is where the arguments have to resolve, not that stupid moral absurdity of counter-attacking on a false moral issue "doing good for others". You could justify organ farming by that line of reasoning.
I'm disgusted.
But hopeful. :-)
If the man truly desires to procure treatment for any apinal injury victim, he should pursue adult stem cells since they are already providing results in paralysis cases:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46546
The following is a website that has a tremendous amount of information concerning stem cell research. You can see what progress is being made with both adult and embryotic:
http://stemcellresearch.org/index.html
As far as determining when human life begins, "viability" is an ambiguous term of which there is no clear or absolute determination/definition of. Human identity must be determined in an non-arbitrary fashion. To arbitrarily determine what is and what is not human is exactly the cause of all the instances of slavery and genocide in human history. In order to enslave Africans, they first had to be declared as less than human. In order to have a Jewish Holocaust, they first had to be declared less than human. These were arbitrary judgments that led to great atrocities. Therefore the determination/definition of what are live human entities must not be arbitrary but must be a recognition of fact, nothing more and nothing less.
Given that human beings exist at the moment of fertilization, some might still argue that the suffering of "viable" human beings at the expense of the life of "non-viable" human beings would be permissible. But this is moral chaos and lunacy as well. Since when does it become permissible to kill individuals just because they are not aware of the fact that they are being harmed? If it is ok to kill a "non-viable" human being that is a zygote because they are unaware of what is transpiring, they do not feel pain, and because it will relieve the suffering of a viable human, then obviously it would also be ok for someone to kill their enemy while he is sleeping by a non-painful method since he would not be aware of it nor would he feel any pain and by killing him it would benefit the killer and relieve their suffering. Do you see the insanity of such thinking?
This is not truly a religious issue but a humanitarian issue. You do not have to believe in God to realize that slavery and murder are wrong, nor do you have to believe in God to realize that embryonic stem cell research is wrong. All you need to realize this is an understanding of science, a mind that is logical, and a heart that loves humanity.
I watched the pbs independent lens show on "stem cell research" with interest and sadness. I felt for Dr's Kaufman and Kessler and their daughters and families. I have intimate knowledge of a "patented" naturally produced, biological response modifier that has shown tremendous promise in clinical trials in several countries, that I think the Dr.s should know about. In the short time that it was used on humans in those trials, it showed great promise in areas such as tumor shrinking, ie: breast, liver (and in some cases elimination), bone marrow stimulation (extramedullar hematopoesis), and ADULT STEM CELL stimulation!(No embrionic cells required!) One young child (cited in the patent-with myesthenia gravis)was taken off of a feeding tube and was able to get around without her wheelchair and return to school after having been on this product for a very short time!!.
The FDA was put on notice so as not to unintentionally infringe on the patent, and approx. 6 mo's later, all research and clinical trials were forcebly halted by the FDA!. The families, whose loved ones were thriving on the product, were extremely upset and WENT BEFORE CONGRESS and DEMANDED RELEASE OF THE PRODUCT until the "red tape" could be cleared! Those families WERE ALLOWED several more shipments for their family's humanitarian purposes, until the product ran out!. Someday I believe that the patent will see it's full potential,(despite FDA interference), and that the issue of using embrionic stem cells may not even have to BE an issue if products like these are allowed to flourish without bureaucratic political influences getting in the way! To read more about this wonderful product and for more info. see- UNITED STATES PATENT # : 6,071,919- Theodore et al., date of patent: June 6, 2000.
This is the best film I have seen in my life. It is an honest portrayal of how science is done by people who look like you might might meet them on the street, not some artificial movie star. It shows the daily frustrations of scientific work; the doggedness with which you must wrestle a grain of truth out of experiments that are mostly frustrating. Mixed with the human story of the misfortune that drives the parents, the courage of the afflicted and the vision of the students, it swings from heartbreak to intellectual exhilaration. Regardless of the ethical issues or even the scientific merits of the work, this shows how people who want to make a real difference in the world pour out their guts. The film should be required viewing by every high school kid in USA to show them what real heros and heroines do and look like.
I watched the program lastnight. Untill then I thought this research was for cloning only. Truly a heart felt program. Now i truly understand.Keep fighting!Your gonna win this battle,and cure millions. Newly informed
Cathy Reed
I have been to the wall with my local congressman [republican] about embryonic stem cells. He was consumed with selfrighteousness as he babled about abortion. He was convinced that all the embryos were going to abopted. If our leaders are this stupid we are doomed to the darkages of science taboo and persecution. Science cannot be made a topic for debate. We must let the science continue without religious superstition standing once again in the path of progress.thank you, al jaehn
I want to address comments made by John Vidourek on January 16. The study of adult stem cells is a specialty in itself, one that is MUCH LESS understood and has NO MORE promise than other non-embryonic stem cell approaches that Dr. Kessler is pursuing (recall the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique presented to Carrie Kaufman during her visit to the lab). The fact that he is studying the use of SCNT in addition to ES cell lines demonstrates the 'balance' of his research that you, rightly, expect. It's important to understand that not pursuing adult stem cells, by any scientist, is not a 'holding back' as you suggest, but rather a logical furtherance of one's existing expertise; if Dr. Kessler tried to study every potential approach 'in parallel' he would be a jack of all trades and master of none. Adult stem cells should be, and are being studied with significant excitement by people who dedicate their entire labs to it; that's the only way we will see huge advances in our understanding.
Finally, you suggest that by focusing on a new technique for stem cell delivery, Dr. Kessler is slowing the pace of progress because "If this is new then people who are doing research on adult stem cells are not going to try his technique until after it's published". How can we explore the use of adult stem cells if we don't have useful techniques? As was indicated in the film, if you inject cells (or drugs or anything else) into the injury area they just diffuse away. How would you know the adult stem cells are working if they float away from the injury? Developing useful techniques is clearly indispensible to the implementation of new advances, and is exactly the sort of 'parallel' and 'balanced' approach that is important to you and, hopefully, everyone else.
Let me put into context the potential importance of the injectable gel developed by Dr. Stupp and used by Dr. Kessler. (I don't know either of these guys or anyone in the film.) Right now in the experimental spinal cord injury field, the methods of bridging the injury involve the use of silicone tubes that are coated inside with extracellular matrix, drugs, cells, etc. They have the same purpose as the injectable gel, but are much more invasive to implant and have much less surface area to hold cells and to allow them to make connections. Silicone bridges also require surgical expertise and are a lot more expensive to manufacture than injectables.
I want to personally thank Ms. Finitzo for showing the side of experimental science that no one but the scientists ever see: painfully slow, supremely frustrating, no final answers, but the greatest rewards. It's a different world for sure.
Hey... I would like to Know somthing. Lets say a spinal cord is nicked and continuity from the cpu(brain) to the lower servos and sensors(muscles and nerves)are at a complete disconnect. The spinal cord swells and take 8 ta 12 weeks to retrack but in this time scare tissue form around the nick. Is this some what right so far? The scare tissue dosnt form a conductive path therefor making the disconnect permanent. Then you inject this spinal gel, lets say into or around the scare tissue, and it forms a conduit for the signals? Is this some what the idea? If so it's so elementry we are fools not to be doing it.
One more thing. If this is right would it be better to remove the scare tissue First? And could it be possible to remove a damaged section and replace it? Im sorry if these questions arnt up to par Im just curious. A friend has recently become paralyzed. I thank the lord shes still happy. Her being only 18 I find that incredible.
Keep up the good work Aall ya all
Zaxis400@hotmail.com
A critical mass of the population within Western civilization did not conclude that Galileo presented a more accurate reflection of reality by means of their rational faculties and conscious analyses.
People had to die.
Those generations reared to hold a less accurate meme passed away. A newer generation reared to hold a more accurate meme replaced them. Certain memes apparently reside within the reptilian portion of the brain, with plenty of connections to the amygdala, I would speculate. This makes them impervious to activity within the neocortex. The viewpoint that "S"cience "defeats" superstition through rational discourse, in this light, is absurd.
The successful social engineering strategy to replace old memes with more accurate memes is to foster consistency between belief and action, and to discourage hypocrisy. It is a painfully slow process, but it is a more satisfying and efficacious solution in that it requires little use of the neocortex among the superstitious and is entirely consistent with our beloved freedom of religion and acts of conscience.
It is the duty of society to encourage, say, Jehovah's Witnesses or members of the Christian Scientist church to behave in a manner consistent with their religious beliefs and conscience, and refrain from receiving blood transfusions.
It is the duty of education policymakers to educate the public about the plain routineness of, say, trans-species genetic manipulations (simply transfecting a plasmid into bacteria) in everyday laboratory procedures, so that those who morally object to those procedures may voluntarily refrain from virtually all medical advances of the past three decades.
It is the duty of society to encourage those Christians who are capable of accurately interpreting the meaning of St. Paul in I Corith. 7 to behave in a manner consistent with their religious convictions and refrain from the less ethical behavior of procreation, and engage in the greater ethical behavior of celebacy.
Natural selection does the rest.
The trick is to fix the action with the belief. Memes can be held and trasmitted without be acted upon by their carriers. Education can help reduce hypocrisy and foster an increase in the rate of meme turnover.
It is such a shame that so many have to suffer and die in the meantime.
This was a very interesting story which illustrates the intersection of personal life with the public domain. Ultimately, everything personal is public; but the film explained and showed the life of all the players with great empathy. As a non- scientist (but as an enthusiastic cheer leader of science) I appreciated the study of motivation of all the people in the story.
I think, things may go a little better if people open their minds up a little bit and try to be less rigid. Often, even before we either know or understand the facts- we have made up our mind. Of course, its not easy to be open minded but most definitely it is a goal worth strving for.
good work!
THE SIN IS NOT HAVING A SCIENTIFICALLY LITERATE POPULATION.
i cannot state my own beliefs but stem cells are about
whether on the farm or the work shop. it is our industry
that we employ these cells to grow wheat or heal a wound. i would cite our friend the star fish, the lizard, or an another creature unique to our worlds. it is merely our thinking that must be readjusted to fit the situation and thus proceed from there. the need generates the invention. i thank you for your time. frank c
This was a very poorly done one sided documentary. I would wipe the "ethicist" off the map. The lack of any talk about adult stem cell research is a trumpet blast of silence. Why can someone tell me is there no balance this stuff?
Just one last question I want all to think about. Why was a scientist in a hot controversy not ever once asked why he rejected the idea of doing at least parallel research in adult stem cells if he really cares about his daughter. Why hold back from doing research that could help. Remember please that he wanted to publish a new technique. If this is new then people who are doing research on adult stem cells are not going to try his technique until after it's published. More days for his daughter in a wheel chair.
If I believe in nothing else, it is separation of Church and State. Therefore, it frustrates me to no end to have religion enter our political sphere. As a spinal cord injury survivor still battling chronic pain, I applaud all those who dedicate their time and energy toward finding the answers to healing. I am currently reading "The brain that changes itself" which explores neuroplasticity and I encourage others interested in this subject to check it out. I am doing what I can to continue to heal myself.
How can the President spend billions of dollars waging an unjust war killing and displacing millions of peoples "so he can save American lives" - American lives, yet he cannot spend a fraction of that money to support stem cell research to save all kinds of peoples lives. How fertilized cells are in existence that they are so worried about destroying. These have no life. They are frozen. Yet it is justifiable to kill, maim and destroy full grown men, women, boys girls, babies and for what reason. We spend billions sending people into space where there is no possibility for human to live, but we think it gross to spend same to support those who are already here on earth. As for me, I am donating every cell in my body to science for astma research and any other research they can be used for.
The central debate about stem cell research seems to be the question of when does a collection of cells constitute a human being. Consider this: what differentiates a human being from any other creature on earth, for instance, bacteria? Primarily, the functions of the nervous system, in particular language, awareness, that sort of thing. Prior to the development of any nervous system, you have a collection of cells that are "waiting" for directions. If it is a scientist giving those directions, say to generate a human liver for the benefit of a patient, how is that unethical? Is it less unethical to allow a viable human being to suffer and/or die because of the potiential for a new human being to become viable?
I think there is a good chance that stem cell research will eventually allow scientists to use a patient's own DNA to regenerate damaged organs, including livers, hearts and nerves (the spinal variety don't tend to regenerate easily or consistently). Complications arise, however, if the patient's DNA is genetically predisposed to developing certain illnesses. Then, you have a situation where you just may be regenerating an organ that may fall victim to the same illness. It's going to take several more years of research before we see problem-free (or problem-limited) applications.
As far as cloning, from what I've read, you can't clone memories, so if scientists cloned a human being, they would have to start from the beginning to teach them how to walk, talk, use the bathroom and all the things we learned throughout life. The idea of implanting memories of a life seem like a sci-fi theme to me, and I think cloning humans would be far more trouble than any concievable benefit. However, there is a sinister side to cloning a "blank slate" human: organ harvesting, which would certainly be unethical. That is what I would be worried about.
A perfected use for stem cell research is still a ways off, but medically, I believe that it can be used in the near future as treatment for disorders like Parkinson's, paralysis, and various organ failures.
God Bless Dr. Kessler and all of his team. In my opinion, they are doing the Lords work. I hope and pray that they, along with all involved in regeneration research, are successful. As a Christian, I understand the arguments against the use of stem cells but I believe that the balance of the debate should weigh in favor of healing and reducing suffering. Particularly when there are thousands of embyros that are destroyed each year.
I received stem cells for Multiple Sclerosis once in May then again in October. After my transplant in October I had an MS exertion. The MRI showed an active lesion on my spinal cord since then I have had many problems. After my initial transplant I did very well. In fact I had lost all my vision in the right eye and I was beginning to see again. I have questions Why is there no longevity with stem cells? Scientifically which type of stem cells are better for Multiple Sclerosis? Should I be getting embryonic or adult stem cells? Thank You for taking a crusade for stem cells I am living proof they work. I was bed ridden before I got stem cells in May and now I am living on my own again and taking care of myself. I am not feeling as well as I did before but I am still better than I did. Please let me know what you know about stem cells and MS.
Thank You
Angela Jackson
Knowledge is power, share what you know!! It wasn't too long ago that many believed we could catch AIDS by shaking a person's hand. Thank you for airing such a great show - a show every person should be made to watch.
First, I have read many reports of adult stem cell treatments procuring great results, including a paralzed woman in Korea who can now walk. I do not know who some internet websites can provide a long list of treatments provided by adult stem cells while claim that adult stem cell research has no promise. In addition, I have seen no claims to effective treatments rendered from embryonic stem cell research by either side of the argument.
Second, I find your "myth" that embryonic stem cell research does not use aborted fetuses to be a straw-man rebuttal. The opposition to embryonic stem cell research is that it kills human individuals, not that it kills human individuals at certain point in their development or life span.
The issue revolves around the question of when life begins. To ignore that question is to ignore the problem. First question is, when does human life begin? The second question is, given the answer to the first question what is our course of action?
I wrote a letter to an ethicist at John Hopkins University. I received no reply, but I think it would benefit this forum to make it available for consideration:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID
=82658187&blogID=145893148&Mytoken=01D4010E-D551-4E09-B7662BAB313029C937122003
Sherree:
The use of adult stem cells to help regenerate the liver is one of the most promising right now.
Unfortunately, there is only one clinical trial in the United States at present using adult stem cells to regenerate the liver and it may not be directly applicable to your Husband's case. But I think the chances are quite good that there will be an explosion of trials in the area. Anyway, since I don't know the specifics of your Husband's case, here is what I know of:
1)Northwestern University: Primary Biliary Cirrohosis. This form of cirrohosis is believed to be caused by the person's immune system attacking parts of the liver which then has other effects that then cause the cirrohsis. The treatment is to basically destroy some of the patient's immune system (in the bone marrow) and then replacing it via blood stem cell transplant from a brother or sister. It is hoped that the modification of the immune system will reduce or eliminate the body's attack on the liver
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00393185
Contact: Dzemila Spahovic, MD, 312-503-0356
2) Use of Adult Stem Cells - Mesenchymal for treatment of End Stage Liver Disease in Tehran Iran.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00420134
Contact: Mohammad Reza Zali, MD 0098 21 22418237 ext. 102 info@rcgld.org
3) Treatment of Liver Disease Using Marrow Derived Adult Stem Cells at Hammerstein Hospital in London England. They completed phase I with excellent results. Phase II is complete and results are just about to be published. I think they may be on to phase III soon.
4) Treatment of Cirrohsis of the Liver in South Korea via umbilical cord adult stem cell transplants.
Contact: 82-2-480-5506-7
or mikeshen@histostem.net
People believe what they want to believe because they don't know facts. Years ago they said the same things about blood drawings and getting or giving other peoples blood. There is upsides and downsides but......it you are ill or have a love one that is ill you do all you can to help them. I am a story in myself and if my father did not take a chance to help me I would not be here today. And another time he took the chance in letting the Doctors give me penicillin which also saved my life. There is more good than bad and we need to think more positive. There is gray areas all around us and without positive thinking a person can come up with every negative thoughts there is.
I think people who base their judgments on their religion should not be allowed to impose their wills on people who do not hold the same beliefs. If they want to opt out of stem cell research--and its potential benefit, that should be an individual decision, not one imposed on everyone else. I've donated my body to medical science ... but I'm not suggesting everyone else should have to because I think it's the right thing to do. ENOUGH, ALREADY!!
If the religious right had had its way through the ages we would never have even been able to study the anatomy of the human body. We owe it to our fellow human beings to encourage research in any area that can help prevent and resolve health problems. We don't know enough about stem cells, skin cells, or whatever else to know if their use will really work, or not, Moreover, we will never know if we don't continue with the research.
I believe stem cell research will be the answer to many forms of illness and injury. My husband is needing a liver transplant. My question is this: could stem cells POSSIBLY someday be used to help a person regenerate an organ such as the liver? My husband, Randy, is a great person, never drank, never smoked, never did drugs...but for an unknown reason, has cirrhosis of the liver. If he gets a liver transplant, he will spend the rest of his life on anti-rejection drugs...which ultimately can cause other problems. Thanks for all your hard work - Sherree
