[an error occurred while processing this directive]

LATEST SUBMISSIONS

Stem Cell Research

Tuesday, January 23 at 2:02 PM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Angie Webb, Centennial

Once again, the issue of allowing funding for embryonic stem cell research has come up again in Congress. The House of Representatives voted to expand government-financed embryonic stem cell research this past week, and the bill will come up for a vote in the Senate soon. I thought the general public might like to know there are other ways to harvest the precious stem cells that researchers need to help battle medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy...and so many others.

First, stem cells can be found in Umbilical Cord Blood. If you would like more information on umbilical cord stem cells, please check out www.stemcelltherapies.org I donated my daughter’s umbilical cord to an organization called Cryobanks International when I gave birth to her in 2001. If you know anyone who is pregnant, please let them know about this valuable resource! Cryobanks International’s website is www.cryo-intl.com If umbilical cords are not donated, they are simply thrown away by the hospital...what a waste!

Second, amniotic fluid has recently been discovered as another place we can find stem cells. When grown in the right environment, amniotic fluid stem cells can become bone cells, brain cells, muscle cells, liver cells, etc. I found a great article on the promise of amniotic fluid stem cells here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16513279/site/newsweek/ Third, are Adult Stem cells. The most well known source of adult stem cells in the body is bone marrow but they are also found in many organs and tissues; even in the blood. Adult stem cells have been used safely in humans for over 30 years.

Unfortunately, one disadvantage to Adult stem cells is they are present in the body in very small numbers. However, they do exist and can be used to repair adult organs and tissue. I guess all this is also to say, why does our government feel the need to press for more funding of embryonic stem cells? Good question. It’s not as though it is the only clear cut way to succeed in improving the lives of those who have debilitating diseases like I mentioned above. I have Epilepsy, however, I am not willing to help fund research that doesn’t HAVE to be done when there are other sources of help out there. I feel it is our right to chose what the government spends our money on, don’t you?

Don’t get me wrong, stem cell research is important! But there are many ways we as humans can help further this cause without destroying embryos.

READER COMMENTS

You can also obtain more information about donating your cord blood by visiting www.coloradocord.org

Posted by T. Lopez on January 31, 2007 03:40 PM