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Written by admin
Oct 20, 2010
I am the mother of the child with diabetes in the recent television ad for Tom Barrett. I believe there are two very important points to be made regarding stem cell research.
First, adult stem cell research alone is not enough. Science has shown that adult stem cells are not as versatile as embryonic stem cells. Because embryonic stem cells are so elementary, they can be developed into any type of cell in the body. That is not true with adult stem cells. Scientists have made progress transforming adult cells into their embryonic state. However, studies show that these regressed cells still retain a “memory” of their former state. The fact is that we do not have a satisfactory substitute for embryonic stem cells.
Second, embryonic stem cell research is not unethical. It uses five-day old clusters of cells left over from in-vitro fertilization procedures. If these embryos are not donated for stem cell research, they are destroyed. How can anyone possibly believe it is more ethical to discard these cells than to use them to help people struggling to live each and every day with life-threatening diseases? Embryonic stem cell research holds the promise of a cure for diabetes, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and even cancer.
I believe that stem cell research will someday lead to a cure for my son’s diabetes. But, this will only happen if all forms of stem cell research are supported.
Heidi Fallone
Whitefish Bay, WI
