Posted by
Bogowines.com on Thursday, August 03, 2006 3:10:25 AM
This is a very good reply to all people that think that embryonic stem cell research is the way to “help” our society. It is rather long, but well worth the read. It was written by Dr. Dan Pepin who was a guest of mine on Capitol Hill for our “Toast to Adult and Cord Blood Therapy: Helping Patients now and in the Future.
Thanks,
Bill Schneeberger
Below is my reply to U.S. Senator Carl Levin' reponse to an earlier e-mail
asking him to support S.2754 and S.3504, and to oppose S.471 (H.R.810).
Please feel free to edit this if you should require a similar argumant.
Dear Senator Levin,
I thank you for taking the time to respond to my e-mail. With due respect,
Sir, I would like to comment on some of your statements which I feel are
somewhat incomplete and not totally accurate.
To begin with, your claim that "embryonic stem cells are critical to
life-saving research" has not yet been supported by any research, lab or
clinical. Many experts feel that the promises of embryonic stem cells is
more hype and diverts attention from critical research on non-embryonic stem
cells. You go on to say "This research could lead to cures for many
diseases, including...." After more than a decade of intense research,
embryonic stem cells have not helped one single patient and in many cases
has caused more harm. The only things that embryonic stem cell research has
yielded are tumors, rejection, mutations, production of wrong cell types,
and false hope. Many leading stem cell researchers foresee decades of
concerted effort before embryonic stems can possibly hope to help anyone.
Meanwhile, adult and cord blood stem cells have successfully treated over
ninety different diseases and disorders which have offered real results, not
hypothetical results, to tens of thousands of sick and disabled persons
today. Within the same paragraph, you state that "these cells contained the
patient's DNA and therefore less likely to be rejected". This is simply not
true. I'm afraid what you are referring to are cells from embryos created
by cloning, a procedure that over 80% of the American people oppose.
In your next paragraph you say "Stem cells are derived from fertilized
eggs". This is at best misleading. Stem cells are not obtained from
fertized eggs but rather from five to seven day-old living human embryos
which must be disaggregated (ripped apart) in order to harvest their stem
cells. A much more humane use for these "excess to be discarded eggs" would
be adoption as evidenced by the hundreds of embryos who have already escaped
their frozen prisons facilitated by organaizations such as the Snowflake
Adoption Program.
As for Senator Santorum's bill, The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell
Enhancement Act, (S.2754), I again respectfully question your accuracy. The
procedure ANT-OAR would actually produce embryo-like stem cells and not as
you claim "would, in effect, allow federal funding only on adult stem
cells."
In response to your statement that "adult stem cells do not have the same
scientific potential for development that embryonic stem cells have", I
would be more than happy to forward to you multiple sources which prove
otherwise. Adult stem cells, in fact, have the same capacity as embryonic
stem cells to become any cells of the two hundred plus tissues in the human
body. In addition, they are readily available from the patient's own body,
therefore preventing rejection, are very plentiful, and are stable in lab.
In conclusion, if we have two options of research, one which is not only
lethal but also non-productive and unethical, and another which is
non-lethal, ethical, and is producing positive results today, would it not
be in our best interest to choose the latter? We only have a finite amount
of funding and scientists available for stem cell research. It is critical
that all the funding and scientific knowledge be focused on the option
offering the most promise today and not the research which speculates on
results perhaps decades into the future. I again plead with you to support
S.2754 and S.3504, and oppose S.471. I realize that a change in your
position on S.471 would be very difficult, considering that you are a
cosponsor. I pray that this correspondence and the Senate debates which are
to take place on July 17th will convince you that it is the right thing to
do.
The unfounded promises of embryonic stem cells is cruel to the desperate
needing help today,not decades from now.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Daniel J. Pepin
From: senator_levin@levin.senate.gov
To: pepindan@>Subject: Re: Your Concerns
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:30:55 -0400
Dear Dr. Pepin:
Thank you for contacting me about stem cell research. I appreciate
hearing from you on this important issue.
Embryonic stem cells are critical to life-saving research.
Researchers believe these cells have the potential to grow into any type of
cell in the human body and, when they possess the patient’s DNA, will
reduce the chance that the new cells will be rejected when implanted. This
research could lead to cures for many diseases, including cancer, cystic
fibrosis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease, as well as
such conditions as spinal cord injuries, liver damage, arthritis, and burns
Stem cells can be derived from fertilized eggs that are currently
stored in freezers at in-vitro fertility clinics, which would not be used
for reproductive purposes and would otherwise be discarded. Preventing
scientists from using these excess "to be discarded" eggs could deprive
many Americans of a chance to regain a healthy life. Organizations such as
the American Medical Association, American Pediatric Society, National
Coalition for Cancer Research and the Society for Women’s Health Research
support stem cell research.
I cosponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S.471), which
was introduced by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) on February 28, 2005.
H.R.810, an identical bill, was passed by the House of Representatives by a
vote of 238-194 on May 24, 2005. This bill would permit federal human
embryonic stem cell research if the embryonic stem cells meet certain
requirements, including that the embryonic stem cells were created for the
purpose of fertility treatment, but are in excess of the clinical need and
would be discarded if not used for stem cell research. In addition,
H.R.810 would require written consent from the donor stating that she has
been adequately consulted and has not received any payment or other form of
compensation for the donation of the fertilized egg.
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced the Alternative Pluripotent
Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act (S.2754) on May 5, 2006. This bill
would in effect allow federal research only on adult stem cells. Adult
stem cells do not have the same scientific potential for development that
embryonic stem cells have. The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006,
introduced by Senator Santorum on June 13, 2006, would make it illegal for
an individual to buy or sell fetal tissue solely created for medical
research purposes.
The Senate has agreed by unanimous consent to consider all these
bills, S.471 (H.R.810), S.2754, and S.3504, during this session of
Congress. The agreement provides for 12 hours of debate on the three
bills. Under the agreement, 60 votes will be required for the passage of
any of the bills. No amendments will be in order.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Carl Levin