Stem Cells, Too Important To Be Politicized By Selective Reporting
In order to have an intelligent, unemotional discussion about the most important breakthrough in medical history, political, ethical and religious issues need to be (if only temporarily) removed from the table. Stem cell research is as much about overcoming scientific challenges as it is about embryos and babies. The public has not been hearing a balanced assessment of the progress and research potential to date. Perhaps it is time to level the playing field, whether it prove favorable to one form of stem cell research or the other.
Politicians will ask you to allocate billions for stem cell research without having a clue as to what is real, practical, or even possible. You will ultimately be making two investments, one from your pocket, the other from your heart as you invest the world's hope, in finding cures for catastrophic diseases.
Our First Introduction To Stem Cell Research
We are all indebted to Christopher Reeve for bringing the subject of stem cell research front and center as he addressed Congress and subsequently the nation. The information provided by his scientific advisors became passed on to the public as solid medical fact. We heard that cures for neurodegenerative diseases; spinal injury, ALS, Parkinson's, MS and even diabetes would all come from embryonic stem cells. That first impression of stem cell type limitation became seared into the public consciousness as fundamental scientific fact and for many remains so today. That early information was not accurate then and is even less accurate today as the very treatments scientists said could only come from embryonic research are now instead, being realized from the patient's own non-embryonic stem cells. Ironically, the very two diseases that conflicted the beloved actor's life, spinal injury and heart failure (which ultimately claimed his life) are both successfully being treated today with adult stem cells.
Stem Cells For Heart Disease, The Number One Killer Of Americans
Twenty-two million patients around the world are currently dying of congestive heart failure with a life expectancy of 1-7 years. With half the HF patients not living 5 years, it was important to report candidly on whichever form of stem cell therapy was actually producing life-saving results, with the best chance of final approval, in the shortest time. The "no option patients" in the current FDA trial successfully transitioned from near death to recovery, following a one-time minimally invasive procedure, using their own stem cells. Patients in the trial who had 4 and 5 heart attacks years earlier still benefited from the procedure. Based on the safety and success of the trial's first phase, the agency has now approved enrollment of 450 more patients. Why haven't families, desperate for some positive news, been hearing about this important breakthrough?
Successful Treatment For 100 Spinal Injury Cases
It was international headline news earlier this year that a paralyzed rat could one day be repaired with embryonic stem cells. Neurologist/Researcher, Carlos Lima, before the House of Lords in London, shared that while there have been limitations in the use of ESC in the US and UK, research has continued for years in other countries without a documented success. The doctor explained, during our book interview, quadriplegic and paraplegic patients are walking (albeit with braces) following a one-time procedure using olfactory stem cells from the patient's own nasal sinus cavity. We were told the treatment for spinal injury could only come from embryonic stem cells. Would it be reasonable to ask why a potential cure for a rat's paralysis garners headline news but 100 actually healed spinal injury patients do not?
Corneal Blindness
Four hundred fifty blind patients in India and eight patients per month at the Cincinnati Eye Clinic have regained their sight with corneal stem cell transplants.
Success in Treating Diabetes, Parkinson's
Researchers in Brazil and Argentina report Type II patients begin to again produce insulin when bone marrow cells are injected into their pancreas. Type I diabetes treated in Brazil and London report 3 years free of insulin injections. Parkinson's patients treated in China and Los Angeles have experienced remarkable reversal of symptoms. These results are not from embryonic cells.
Challenges Facing Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The daunting issues confronting ESC research; tissue rejection, propensity toward massive tumor growth and migration of the cells to places they are not intended to go, are all scientific challenges that must be overcome before an ESC can be safely injected into a human being. With 1500 adult cell trials already in progress and not a single reported successful treatment from ESC'S, a growing number of researchers and investors are turning their attention and talents to adult cell therapy.
As the public charts its way through public relations, scientific and political minefields, this monumental hope for mankind must not be held hostage by omission, personal agenda or selective reporting.
Christian Wilde is a medical researcher and author of Miracle Stem Cell Heart Repair (for heart attack, heart failue and bypass patients) and Hidden Causes of Heart Attack and Stroke (inflammation, cardiology's newest frontier). His work is highly endorsed by Directors of Cardiology at several leading universities. View the website for patient testimonials and more information.
WWW.myheartbook.com
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