The creepy solution to the stem-cell debate. - By William Saletan - Slate Magazine: "The second proposal, presented by council member William Hurlbut"
How could we create functioning parts of an embryo without the whole? By turning off one of the genes that guide embryo formation. Hurlbut's first choice is the human equivalent of cdx2, the gene in mice that directs the formation of the placenta. Without cdx2, the embryonic mouse cells divide but fail to take the shape of a mouse. The plan would be to follow the recipe for cloning—put the nucleus of a body cell into a gutted egg cell—but turn off cdx2. Then, once the cell begins to divide, reactivate the gene, too late to organize the embryo but early enough to make stem cells.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
Mesenchymal Stem Cells found in the Lung
Bioinfo Online - Latest News
: "mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of progenitor cell that most commonly originates in the bone marrow. In this study, lead author Vibha N. Lama, M.D., M.S., and her research team found that the MSCs in lung transplant patients are not derived from bone marrow, but rather that they reside � sometimes for many years � in the lungs. The researchers also found that these cells have the capacity to differentiate into"
Mesenchymal Stem Cells found in the lungs are different from those found in blood.
: "mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of progenitor cell that most commonly originates in the bone marrow. In this study, lead author Vibha N. Lama, M.D., M.S., and her research team found that the MSCs in lung transplant patients are not derived from bone marrow, but rather that they reside � sometimes for many years � in the lungs. The researchers also found that these cells have the capacity to differentiate into"
Mesenchymal Stem Cells found in the lungs are different from those found in blood.
Stem Cell Progress Blocked in Michigan
The South End Newspaper:
Federal, state laws inhibit embryonic stem cell research: "Stephen Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio, a life sciences trade association geared towards driving industry growth, believes narrow stem cell legislation could be hampering commerce in Michigan."
This Wayne State University newspaper article lists all the roadblocks Michigan is placing in the way of modern biology. I find it very unlikely that this state will be a leader in that field.
Federal, state laws inhibit embryonic stem cell research: "Stephen Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio, a life sciences trade association geared towards driving industry growth, believes narrow stem cell legislation could be hampering commerce in Michigan."
This Wayne State University newspaper article lists all the roadblocks Michigan is placing in the way of modern biology. I find it very unlikely that this state will be a leader in that field.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Stem Cells Determine Their Daughters' Fate
Stem Cells Determine Their Daughters' Fate: "From roundworm to human, most cells in an animal's body ultimately come from stem cells. When one of these versatile, unspecialized cells divides, the resulting 'daughter' cell receives instructions to differentiate into a specific cell type. In some cases this signal comes from other cells. But now, for the first time, researchers at the Carnegie Institution's Department of Embryology have found a type of stem cell that directly determines the fate of its daughters. "
Substances and structures that determine the fate of stem cells are being found almost daily. This article reports on how Intestinal Stem Cells (ISC) have a structure to receive information on whether they should become enterocytes or enteroencocrine cells.
Substances and structures that determine the fate of stem cells are being found almost daily. This article reports on how Intestinal Stem Cells (ISC) have a structure to receive information on whether they should become enterocytes or enteroencocrine cells.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
LIFE DIGEST: Embryonic stem cell
pioneer says cures likely decades away - (BP)
LIFE DIGEST: Embryonic stem cell
pioneer says cures likely decades away - (BP): "LAKE DELTON, Wis. (BP)--The scientist whose group took part in groundbreaking embryonic stem cell research in 1998 says cures using embryonic stem cells are likely decades away.
University of Wisconsin scientist James Thomson made the comments during a speech Feb. 8 in Lake Delton, Wis., to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's annual convention, the Associated Press reported. In 1998, Thomson's team became the first group to grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, sparking a controversy over the use of embryos in stem cell research that continues to this day."
While Dr. Thomson is correct in not building false hopes for immediate cures, others will use this statement as justification for not doing embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research will reveal key points about human development. It will probably be a key information provider for regenerative medicine and for the development of targets for drug research. If no cures ever came from ESC research, we would still need to do it.
pioneer says cures likely decades away - (BP): "LAKE DELTON, Wis. (BP)--The scientist whose group took part in groundbreaking embryonic stem cell research in 1998 says cures using embryonic stem cells are likely decades away.
University of Wisconsin scientist James Thomson made the comments during a speech Feb. 8 in Lake Delton, Wis., to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's annual convention, the Associated Press reported. In 1998, Thomson's team became the first group to grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, sparking a controversy over the use of embryos in stem cell research that continues to this day."
While Dr. Thomson is correct in not building false hopes for immediate cures, others will use this statement as justification for not doing embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research will reveal key points about human development. It will probably be a key information provider for regenerative medicine and for the development of targets for drug research. If no cures ever came from ESC research, we would still need to do it.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
With Friends Like These....
Romney’s abortion views first shaped by personal, then clinical - National Politics - BostonHerald.com: "”The comment was made that this really wasn’t a moral issue, because the embryos were terminated or destroyed at 14 days,” Romney said during a recent campaign stop in Mount Pleasant, S.C., in a reprise of other recent explanations of his thinking on abortion.
”And it struck me very powerfully at that point, that the Roe v. Wade approach has so cheapened the value of human life that someone could think it’s not a moral issue to destroy embryos that have been created solely for the purpose of research, and I said to my chief of staff, and that’s been 2 1/2 years ago, I said to her, ’I want to make it very clear that I’m pro-life.”’ "
Mitt Romney is no friend of ESC when he uses this approach. He is tying abortion and ESC together. ESC is challanged by this link. Obviously, those supporting ESC should not support him.
”And it struck me very powerfully at that point, that the Roe v. Wade approach has so cheapened the value of human life that someone could think it’s not a moral issue to destroy embryos that have been created solely for the purpose of research, and I said to my chief of staff, and that’s been 2 1/2 years ago, I said to her, ’I want to make it very clear that I’m pro-life.”’ "
Mitt Romney is no friend of ESC when he uses this approach. He is tying abortion and ESC together. ESC is challanged by this link. Obviously, those supporting ESC should not support him.
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