Stem cells in the bank

M S Clark, Danville KY — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:25:38 GMT

This is a wonderful article--very thought provoking. I look forward to a future where medical advances can cure diseases, illness and heal accident-victims as easily as aspirin can bring-down a fever. It boggles the mind to think how many lives have been saved by just the availability of the lowly aspirin!!

Stem cells in the bank

Jos. Campbell, New York City — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:25:12 GMT

Thank you for writing about these newly discovered stem cells, but you made a small error. You wrote, "embryonic stem cells have been held up as the gold standard in regenerative medicine." You failed to mention that embryonic stem cell research has resulted in exactly zero new therapies or cures. The ethical problem with experimenting on human embryos is not the bogeyman holding up the research since enormous amounts of private investment and state taxpayer money (not to mention investments overseas) are being plowed into it.

Stem cells in the bank

jim blaylock, newberry springs ca — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:35:12 GMT

i'm a firm beliver in stem cell research in our great country. keep up the good work jim

Stem cells in the bank

Mike Lewis, Desert Hot Springs, Ca — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:28:00 GMT

I started reading this with the hopes that skin cells could replace Stem cells, but half way through I realized this is not the case. Stem Cells are still the way to go. A great article and well written thanks Alan.

Stem cells in the bank

Terrence Nicholson, Boston, MA — Sat, 24 May 2008 07:37:06 GMT

We wold in all likelihood be serving up many of the cures hypothesized by now if it weren't for the ignoramuses currently residing in the White House.

Stem cells in the bank

Tony R Pensacola, FL — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:36:30 GMT

It's great to see that this technology might be freed from the flawed perceptions and connotations associated with embryonic stem cells. With any moral qualms that folks might have put to rest, maybe we can finally bring the full might of our ingenuity to bear and cure some of these terrible genetic illnesses.

Stem cells in the bank

michael, Phila, PA — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:06:24 GMT

This is great, I really hope this happens soon. I can't believe that there are people against stem cell research though; look at the amazing results it will yield!

Stem cells in the bank

john doe, los angelos, ca — Sun, 25 May 2008 05:50:37 GMT

not just any skin- infant foreskin. The ultimate form of human rights violation- permanently amputating sexual tissue from a person who cannot possibly consent- an infant. Infant foreskin contain fibroblasts that are highly active and can be coaxed into becoming pluripotent cells. However, infants cannot possibly consent to having their penis mutilated- their foreskin is a necessary component of their sexual organ and has not fully developed (it is fused to the glans up until puberty)

Stem cells in the bank

Donna Gordon, Spring Texas — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:11:54 GMT

I hope, with all my heart, that they find a way to ethically produce stem cells that will be the future of our healthcare for trauma and terminally ill patients. For those of you with the good hearts working so ####### this. GodSpeed.

Stem cells in the bank

Mike V, Tacoma, WA — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:30:13 GMT

This solution has all of the potential of being one of the greatest discoveries of all time. If you look at all of the costs, both financial and human effort, that have been expended on current solutions that are dwarfed by this research. It is really sad that the current white house administration and their religious backers would have seen the wisdom of this research 7 years ago. Countless lives would have been saved so that these people could have been even more productive. Do you really believe that the pharmacutical companies are going to allow this to happen?? It's time for a change in D.C.

Stem cells in the bank

Dr. David Kerrick — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:05 GMT

Mona Lisa. EVERYONE knows that.And I'm CERTAIN that if a "Cure" for aging were to be found, EVERYONE would be able to ...be "Cured". Right?

Stem cells in the bank

TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:01:22 GMT

"It is really sad that the current white house administration and their religious backers would have seen the wisdom of this research 7 years ago."

I agree with the sentiment. Not sure I agree with it as fact. We don't know what might have happened. We would be further along, but who can tell if we'd actually have cures for anything. We need to get out of CSI/House mode where we think problems can be solved quickly.

Alan really nailed it when he talked about the reasons for the lack of cures involving embryonic stem cells - economics. To develop cures you need the economics working for you. Whatever it's faults, markets enable the marshalling of powerful incentive forces for innovation. The U.S. government has chased away potential investors.

Stem cells in the bank

Robert, Akron, OH — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:38:11 GMT

Uh, let me guess...
"5 to 10 years away"

Stem cells in the bank

Matt, CA — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:31:04 GMT

I just finished reading "Ending Aging", the book that the Methuselah foundation is promoting. There's a whole chapter on the politics of stem cells and how the religious right is fighting to keep even non-viable embryos headed for the trash heap out of research.

Lobby the National Institute of Health to release funds for stem cell research!

Note that while stem cells are vitually important, they are certainly only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. I highly recommend this book!

http://www.methuselahfoundation.org/index.php?pagename=ending_aging

Stem cells in the bank

Dr. J. Billman, Dallas Texas — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:02:35 GMT

Stem cells are very important, and the research needs to be put in to it for future use. There is no way around it. How could people be against it, it is beyond me.Also they guy above me recommended a book, read it, it is good!