Related Information to Human Cloning?

Human Cloning? - Page 12

'Ethical' stem cell crop boosted

US researchers have found a way to dramatically increase the harvest of stem cells from adult tissue. Ref. Source 7

Cloning Human

Scientists' Advance Further Renders Embryonic Stem Cell Research Obsolete

Palo Alto, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Scientists have made a major breakthrough using the process known as direct reprogramming that further renders embryonic stem cell research obsolete. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have succeeded in transforming mouse skin cells directly into functional nerve cells.

With the application of just three genes, the new cells make the change without first becoming a pluripotent type of stem cell -- such as an embryonic stem cell. That is a step long thought to be required for cells to acquire new identities.

"We actively and directly induced one cell type to become a completely different cell type," said Marius Wernig, MD, assistant professor of pathology and a member of Stanford's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "These are fully functional neurons. They can do all the principal things that neurons in the brain do."

Dr. David Prentice, a former biology professor from Indiana State University now associated with the Family Research Council, talked with LifeNews.com about the breakthrough. "This is a striking advance in the ability to transform cells into desired functional tissues. The direct reprogramming technique shortcuts any need to revert cells to a pluripotent, flexible state," he said. Ref. Source 9

Human Cloning? History & Civil Business Politics

Adult Stem Cells Continue Showing Better Success Than Embryonic Cells
by David Prentice of Family Research Council

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Adult stem cells continue to show success after success at improving the health of patients, even though many still haven't heard the good news. But while many physicians and scientists (and politicians) ignore the tangible benefits of adult stem cells, veterinarians have pushed ahead. The latest story is that of the over-$1-million-winning horse Thorn Song. The horse had been severely injured in his final start at Del Mar last summer and had "an almost zero chance" at survival after developing laminitis. Laminitis is a disease of the hoof that is extremely painful and often fatal for horses; it is the disease that led to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro being euthanized. Dr. Doug Herthel is the vet who founded Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center and treated Thorn Song. Alamo Pintado was the first private equine practice in the United States to open an onsite adult stem cell laboratory; they have used the procedure successfully to treat hundreds of horses with joint, tendon, and ligament injuries. However, only a few horses have been treated for laminitis with adult stem cells. According to Dr. Herthel: "I thought there would still be a less than 10% chance for him even if we tried stem cell. But within 48 hours we saw a turnaround. There was a dramatic decrease in pain and swelling, and within two weeks we started seeing amazing hoof growth. We were blown away. It went beyond our expectations. It may be the most exciting thing I have ever seen. Technology is moving forward." Adult stem cells have successfully treated many horses and dogs. And thousands of human patients, too. And that's not horsing around. Ref. Source 9

Page 12 Cloning Human

Judge Blocks Federal Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research

A federal judge has blocked President Obama's executive order restoring funding for embryonic stem cell research. On Monday, US District Judge Royce Lamberth said the funding violates a 1996 law prohibiting federal money for any research that destroys or threatens human embryos. Obama's order had overturned a move by his predecessor George W. Bush to further restrict stem cell funding. Ref. Source 4

Cloning Human

I think this is going to be a fight that we will see more of as medicine makes a turn for the better as they figure out that some stem cells can be a miracle cure for some ailments.

Human Cloning?

Senator Promotes Bill to Force Taxpayer Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With a federal judge having declared the executive order President Barack Obama issued to force taxpayers to finance embryonic stem cell research invalid, a Democratic senator is pushing legislation to overturn the federal law the judge said Obama's mandate violated.

U.S. District court Judge Royce Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction against the funding, which Obama officials appealed.

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington put on hold that injunction while Judge Lamberth reviews the lawsuit itself.

Judge Lamberth based his ruling on the fact that the Obama order violates the Dickey-Wicker amendment, a federal law that prohibits the federal government from paying for research that involves the destruction of human embryos.

Sen. Arlen Specter on Monday spoke on the Senate floor and said he has proposed legislation that would repeal the Dickey-Wicker law and therefore authorize the taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research -- which requires the destruction of human embryos, unique human beings days after conception.

"There is great uncertainty in the research community as to what will happen," Specter said, according to an AP report, and said his bill would resolve it by overturning the law Lamberth used to temporarily put funding on hold.

Specter's bill requires that the research qualifying for funding must involve the destruction of human embryos considered "leftovers" by infertility clinics -- even though several adoption centers have sprung up that have allowed parents to adopt them and eventually give birth. Ref. Source 7

Human Cloning - Page 12

Looks like the fighting is still going on. I think that we can still use stem cells for the betterment of the human race. On the other hand I think that we can also medically move away from the use of stem cells we get from embryos as a way to help people.

Human Cloning Politics Business Civil & History - Page 12

Appeals Court Allows Obama to Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research During Suit

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A federal appeals court has lifted the injunction a federal judge put in place stopping President Barack Obama from forcing taxpayers to finance unproven embryonic stem cell research while scientists continue with their lawsuit against the funding.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit lifted the injunction Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court in Washington put in place that stopped taxpayer funding during the duration of the lawsuit.

The Obama administration appealed Lamberth's decision and the three judge panel of the appeals court issued its decision today.

During Monday's hearing, Justice Department attorney Beth Brinkmann argued that the injunction would result in "irreparable harm" to the Obama administration's efforts to funds scientists engaging in research that has never helped any patients because of massive problems with injecting the embryonic stem cells in animals.

Unlike its embryonic cousin, adult stem cell research does not have the same tumor-causing or immune system-rejecting issues and has been used already to help patients dealing with more than 100 diseases and medical conditions.

"Upon consideration of the government's emergency motion to stay preliminary injunction pending appeal and for immediate administrative stay, the opposition thereto, the reply, and the argument by counsel, it is ORDERED that the administrative stay entered September 9, 2010, be dissolved," the court ruled. Ref. Source 9