President Bush and the Embryonic Stem Cell Decision

President Bush and the Stem Cell Decision

Now that the debate seems to be over, what can we say about Bush’s policy and the long months it took for him to devise it? I think it is fair to look upon it as a model of how to deal with the complicated scientific and ethical dilemmas that will continue to confront political leaders in the age of biotechnology. Bush refused to accept the notion that we must choose between medical research and the principle of the dignity of life at every stage. He sought both to advance biomedical science and at the same time to respect the sanctity of human life. In the end he came to a moderate, balanced decision that drew a prudent and principled line. The decision was both informed and reasoned, based on lengthy study and consultation with people of widely divergent viewpoints. It was consciously not guided by public-opinion polls.

Commentary Link
This well-written article gives the background on the embryonic stem cell decision. Of course, my problem with the decision is that it has not aged that well. Problems with contamination of the original approved lines restricted research and new developments could not be accomodated.

The President looked better after recent announcements allowing creation of embryonic stem cells that did not require destroying embryos. Everyone including me is rejoycing. But, these cells are not the cells I developed from. These cells do not show the beginnings of disease that will kill me later. Only embryonic stem cells can provide the material that gives answers to how humans really develop. Research in that area needs to continue.

Lets not be too quick in saying that cells developed for modified skin cells are the SAME as ESC. ESC cells that we know very little about no less. We may have to back up on that too.

The Wisdom on the President's Stem Cell Decision

 

An article in Commentary by former Bush Administration staffer Jay P. Lefkowitz is a very interesting read. It amounts to an inside story about how and why President Bush made his controversial stem cell funding decision that has caused "the scientists" and media so much heartburn.

Second Hand Smoke Link

Lefkowitz has written a well-thought-out article, but is much too kind to the President.  Bush made a reasonable decision at the time he announced his embryonic stem cell approach, but times have changed.  Science is demanding more stem cell lines.  The President has not changed his policy. 

Since his approach is based on a pro-life stance and not on the value of ESC at all, why would he change?  If you believe that killing an embryo is the same as killing a human being, then why would you ever authorize murder?  That is where the President stands personally, and this is a President that has great faith in his opinion being the final arbiter. 

The jury is still out on this decision by the President but, be sure, the trials are being ran under other authorities and history will have an answer to this Presidential policy. 

My bet is that it will reside in the trash can of discarded ideas.

Technorati Tags: ESC,Embryonic Stem Ceills,Bush,President Bush

2008 may be year of stem cell gains -- baltimoresun.com

After years of heated debate and painstaking research, 2008 is shaping up to be a critical year in the development of stem cell therapies.

And in the forefront is Columbia's Osiris Therapeutics, which has three final-phase human trials under way that it hopes will lead to approval of stem cell drugs.

Osiris is among the farthest along, if not the farthest, he said.
Much of the Osiris action centers on Prochymal, a drug made from adult stem cells, which it is testing for a wide range of diseases.

Osiris from testing Prochrymal to treat gastrointestinal disorder, diabetes, heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, radiation sickness and the rejection reaction that can result from a bone marrow transplant.

Osiris already has one product on the market, considered the first approved adult stem cell product. Called Osteocel, it has been used in more than 10,000 patients to stimulate bone growth -- for example, after a fracture -- since it was cleared for market in 2005.

The Sun is reporting that great strides will be made in 2008.  If so, that is another example of a very quick development time frame.

Technorati Tags: Crohn's disease,Mesenchymal stem cells,Osiris,Prochymal,Chondrogen,Osteocel

2008 may be year of stem cell gains -- baltimoresun.com

Ian Wilmut drops SCNT

His announcement could mark the beginning of the end for therapeutic cloning, on which tens of millions of pounds have been spent worldwide over the past decade. "I decided a few weeks ago not to pursue nuclear transfer," Prof Wilmut said.

Most of his motivation is practical but he admits the Japanese approach is also "easier to accept socially."

His inspiration comes from the research by Prof Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University, which suggests a way to create human embryo stem cells without the need for human eggs, which are in extremely short supply, and without the need to create and destroy human cloned embryos, which is bitterly opposed by the pro life movement.

Link

This is played as a failure of some type.  It seems to me that a better, more efficient method is in the offing and all should rejoice.

Tags: SCNT, stem cells, Ian Wilmut

Powered by Qumana