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June 24, 2005
One less bonus to embryonic stem cells
One less benefit of embryonic stem cells over adults ones:
Hailed as a ground-breaking study, scientists in Pittsburgh say they've discovered that adult stem cells have the same ability as embryonic stem cells to multiply.The previously unknown characteristic indicates post-natal stem cells may play an important therapeutic role, according to the researchers at the city's Children's Hospital.
In the heated national debate, embryonic stem cells -- regarded as destruction of human life by opponents -- have been touted as having a greater capacity than adult cells to multiply, making them more desirable to research as a potential treatment, noted Johnny Huard, director of the hospital's Growth and Development Laboratory.
"Scientists have typically believed that adult or post-natal stem cells grow old and die much sooner than embryonic stem cells, but this study demonstrates that is not the case," said Huard, the senior author of the study.
I have to wonder why we'd bother with all the ethical issues regarding embryonic stem cells when, the more we learn, the more we're seeing that adult stem cells are almost as good. In addition to multiplying as well, they can differentiate just about as well. Not to mention their proven track record in actual use.
Posted by Doug at June 24, 2005 02:38 PM
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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference One less bonus to embryonic stem cells:
» Stem Cell Discovery from The Larsonian
If adult stem cells multiply just as well, differentiate just as well and can be obtained without killing anyone--something that cannot honestly be said about embryonic stem cells--why wouldn't we just use adult stem cells? [Read More]
Tracked on June 27, 2005 09:26 AM
» Breakthrough Points to Post-Natal Stem Cells from ProLifeBlogs
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have found that adult, or postnatal, stem cells have the same ability as embryonic stem cells to multiply, a previously unknown characteristic indicating that post-natal stem cells may play an important ... [Read More]
Tracked on June 27, 2005 11:06 AM
Comments
Good posts. Welcome to SCO, Doug. Lots of visitors this week to see your stuff!
Posted by: Jim Jewell at June 24, 2005 03:19 PM
Grr... a public apology for the multiple ping-age. Haloscan had reported an error (lost contact with MySQL). I should have checked before trying again. And one more time.
Posted by: eLarson at June 27, 2005 09:29 AM
Dont' worry. Be happy. :)
Posted by: Doug Payton at June 27, 2005 10:06 AM
Looks like I wasn't alone. ;)
Good catch, though, Doug. I'm glad it didn't fall through the memory hole.
Posted by: eLarson at June 27, 2005 06:30 PM