Stem Cell Research - Part II: The Benefits of Adult Stem Cell Therapy

In Part I, I summarized the basics of stem cell research and cloning, discussed the moral implications of embryonic stem cell research, and the politics involved. Here in Kansas, our bishops, in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus, have been working very hard to educate the public - especially Catholics - about stem cell research.

A new short documentary commissioned and released by the four Catholic bishops of Kansas entitled “The Science of Stem Cells: Finding Cures and Protecting Life” figures to play a key role in educating the public about what is involved. View it here.

You can read A Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Kansas - full text to learn more.

In this post, I would like to share some of the miraculous results scientists and physicians have obtained through adult stem cell research. First, let's review the definition of an adult stem cell.

An adult stem cell is a differentiated stem cell obtained from adult tissue, blood from the umbilical cord, and other sources. Versatile stem cells have been found in bone marrow, blood, muscle, fat, nerves, amniotic fluid, and even the pulp of baby teeth. Many successful therapies have been developed using these adult stem cells. Using adult stem cells in research poses no moral problems as it does not involve the destruction of human life and it has been highly successful.

Research on adult stem cells has recently generated a great deal of enthusiasm and 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.

It has now been found that adult stem cells (including umbilical cord cells) can differentiate into nerve, skin, lung, liver, cartilage, bone, and insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. They have been used to treat leukemia, sickle cell anemia, stroke, spinal cord injuries, and more.


The advantages of Adult Stem Cells:

  • Can be extracted from umbilical cord blood with no harm to the donor.
  • Can be extracted from a number of adult tissues. Many patients can be treated with their own stem cells, providing a perfect match without the need to grow and kill a clone of the patient.
  • Are able to generate virtually all adult tissues.
  • Can multiply almost indefinitely, providing numbers sufficient for clinical treatments.
  • Have the ability to "hone in" on damage.
  • Avoid problems with tumor formation and transplant rejection.
  • Avoid ethical problems of Embryonic stem cells and Somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning).

Here are just a few of the many examples of success cases using adult stem cell research.

  1. Ian Rosenberg, 70
  • From Great Britain
  • Heart attacks since age 38, at age 67, he was told he had two months to live.
  • Went to Germany for injections of his own bone marrow, containing adult stem cells, into his heart.
  • Called the results "a miracle". Established a charity in Britain to fund a trial with 700 patients to study repair of damaged hearts with adult stem cells (http://www.heartcellsfoundation.org/).
  • Died on August 26, 2006, three years after his treatment. His family feels that the treatment added over two years to his life.

2. Dennis Tuner, 64

  • From California
  • Onset of Parkinson's disease in 1990
  • Went to Cedars - Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1999, and was treated with his own neural stem cells.
  • Had an 80% reduction in symptoms for four years. Because Parkinson's is a progressive disease, his symptoms have been slowly beginning to return, and he awaits further treatments.

3. Amy Foels, 21

  • From Iowa
  • Paralyzed from the waist down in a 2002 car accident
  • Went to Dr. Carlos Lima in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2005 to become the 38th person in the world to receive a treatment from adult stem cells in her own nasal tissue.
  • She can flex her hip muscles and her steps are improving.

4. Patrizia Durante, 31

  • From Quebec
  • Diagnosed with leukemia in 2001 while 27 weeks pregnant. Given 6 months to live.
  • Doctors at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal collected her daughter's umbilical cord blood. It contained adult stem cells, which were used to replenish her bone marrow. Durante is in full remission.

5. Gina Rugari, 6

  • From Ohio
  • Born with Krabbe's Leukodystrophy.
  • Three weeks after her birth, she went to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. She was treated with chemotherapy and then received umbilical cord blood from a donor.
  • Today, she is thriving.

Part III: Coming Soon ... What Can You Do?

Sources: Kansans for Life, Our Sunday Visitor

-

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the
Read more

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Image
Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients. Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi. Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the hou
Read more

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers, Midwives, and Newborn Babies

Image
The saint of the day for August 31 is St. Raymond Nonnatus. He is the patron of expectant mothers, midwives, obstetricians, infertile couples, and newborn babies. Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain in 1204, the son of wealthy parents. He was delivered by cesarean section when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). In his childhood, he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Raymond readily obeyed but spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father abandoned the idea of making his son a worldly success. Raymond later joined the the Order of Our Lady of Mercy or the Mercederians, which was founded by St. Peter Nolasco, who devoted to ransoming Christians captured by the Moors. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hosta
Read more