AdvanceUSA Blog - Adult Stem Cells

“57% Oppose Taxpayer Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:08:30 GMT

Meanwhile, Jeff Jacoby asks why the private sector won’t support this kind of research. It probably has something to do with the fact that over 70 treatments or cures have come from ethical forms of adult stem cell research while 0 have come from embryonic stem cell research, which involves the destruction of human embryos.

“Scientists Create Liver Cells From Patients' Skin”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:12:26 GMT

ABC News reports.

“[Adult] Stem Cell Surgery for Windpipe 'Could Replace Transplant'”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:53:21 GMT

BBC News reports.

Two Studies Seem to Minimize Benefits of iPSC

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:02:58 GMT

According to news reports, two new studies indicate that stem cells created from reprogrammed body cells may not be as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells. Even if it is proven one day that iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) will never be as malleable as stem cells obtained from destroyed human embryos, it doesn’t make embryonic stem cell research any less unethical. Feeling somewhat skeptical about the spin generated by the media over these studies, AdvanceUSA contacted Dr. David Prentice to get a better perspective on the implications of these studies. Here’s what he told us by email:

The data show that with current techniques, some iPS cells may not be completely reprogrammed to be identical to embryonic stem cells. But the results also show that in some cases this made it easier to change the iPS cells into specialized tissues, such as blood cells. Both papers also showed that subsequent manipulation could further reprogram iPS cells to a more embryonic-like state. Several leading embryonic stem cell scientists have also noted that the techniques are still being improved, and it is simply a matter of time until these hurdles are overcome.

Regardless, this is still no justification for further destruction of embryos, nor especially to justify cloning of human embryos for experiments, which is what one paper seems to imply. While this is interesting in terms of basic science, embryonic stem cells are poor substitutes for adult stem cells and the current successful treatments that they are already delivering to thousands of patients.

Dr. Prentice explains even more in a recent blog post at FRC Blog.

New Technique Cures Bad Joints with Rabbits’ Own Stem Cells

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:43 GMT

ABC News reports that a new stem cell “homing” technique cured rabbits of joint problems by causing stem cells in their body to move to problem areas and replace damaged tissues. This suggests that similar techniques could probably be used in humans without the need to destroy human embryos. Dr. Prentice adds more helpful expert commentary at FRC Blog.

New Study Will Treat Arthritis Patients With Their Own Stem Cells

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:00:36 GMT

The BBC reports. See their video report here.

“Frozen Blood a Source of Stem Cells, Study Finds”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:21:45 GMT

ABC News reports. Excerpt:

Frozen blood from stored samples can be used to make cells resembling stem cells, researchers said on Thursday -- opening a potential new and easier source for the valued cells.

They used cells from blood to make induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells -- lab-made cells that closely resemble human embryonic stem cells but are made from ordinary tissue.

These iPS cells have in the past been made from plugs of skin, but blood is much easier to take from people and to store, the researchers reported in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

“[Adult] Stem Cell Breakthrough for Blind Patients 'After Treatment Restores Vision'”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:03:26 GMT

The Telegraph reports. As does the NY Daily News. Ethical adult stem cell treatments continue to outperform unethical embryonic stem cell research, which has yet to produce successful treatments or therapies. Unfortunately, many media sources unnecessarily distort the issue by refusing to distinguish ethical ADULT stem cell research from unethical EMBRYONIC stem cell research which destroys an innocent human life.

Find out more at our stem cell page.

“Stem Cells From Own Eyes Restore Vision to Blind”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:09:56 GMT

Bloomberg reports. Dr. David Prentice comments on the exciting development.

“[Adult] Stem Cells Help British Boy Grow New Windpipe”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:53:08 GMT

The Times Online reports. As does Fox News.

“They Still Want Cloning”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:09:10 GMT

Dr. David Prentice reports that, despite all the problems with unethical embryo-destroying research and human cloning, liberals in Congress still want to fund human cloning with your tax dollars.

If members of Congress really want to promote treatments and prevent human cloning they should support legislation like the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2009 (H.R. 1050) which is a total ban on human cloning and the Patients First Act of 2009 (H.R. 877) which prioritizes ethical forms of stem cell research which have the most potential for actual treatments and cures.

“Adult Stem Cells Healing Hearts”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:49:25 GMT

David Prentice reports.

“Skin Cells Turned Directly into Neurons”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:47:28 GMT

The Financial Times reports on another exciting discovery demonstrating how unethical embryonic stem cell research and human cloning are totally unnecessary for treating disease and making medical breakthroughs.

“First Successful Use of Expanded Umbilical-Cord Blood Units to Treat Leukemia”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:43:41 GMT

Science Daily reports. The BBC reports how umbilical cord stem cell therapy could make stem cell transplants unnecessary.

“Adult Stem Cells Continue Advances”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:34:05 GMT

Townhall examines recent successes from ethical adult stem cell therapy while NRP only looks at unethical embryo-destroying forms of stem cell research.

Bone Marrow “Stem Cell 'Glue' Save Nearly Amputated Climber's Leg”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:25:48 GMT

Fox News reports.

“Cord Blood Stem Cells May Help Treat Heart, Lung Disorders”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:47:50 GMT

US News reports.

“Ethical Stem Cell Crop Boosted”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:19:19 GMT

The BBC reports that techniques for obtaining donor-specific pluripotent stem cells from ordinary skin cells are becoming more efficient. Once again, science shows that unethical embryonic stem cell research is totally unnecessary.

“[Adult] Stem Cells Grow New Face for Local Teen”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:17:03 GMT

The News Record reports another stunning success for ethical adult stem cell treatments.

“Scientists Turn Skin Cells to Liver Cells”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:17:16 GMT

UPI reports.

“Dying Patient Saved with his Own [Adult] Stem Cells and Mechanical Heart”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:28:06 GMT

The Scotsman reports on another amazing breakthrough in ethical adult stem cell therapy.

“Stanford Researchers Transform Fat Cells into Stem Cells”

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:54:54 GMT

The Christian Post reports.

HT: AACS

“Clinical Trials Are Testing [Adult] Stem Cells as Heart Failure Treatment”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:41:21 GMT

US News & World Report reports.

“The [Adult] Stem Cell Stitches that Aid Recovery After Surgery”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:43:43 GMT

The Mail Online reports.

“Collecting Stem Cells from Teeth”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:16:06 GMT

Chanel 6 Action News reports.

“[Umbilical Cord] Stem Cell Treatments Making a Big Difference in the Life of Janesville Teen”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:27:30 GMT

The Gazette Xtra reports.

“Adult Stem Cells Hope for Heart Surgery”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:48:56 GMT

ABC News Australia reports.

“Placentas Found to be Rich in [Adult] Stem Cells”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:39:06 GMT

The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

“Embryonic-Like [Ethical Stem] Cells Repair Damaged Mouse Hearts”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:36:35 GMT

Reuters reports.

“Students Embed [Adult] Stem Cells In Sutures To Enhance Healing”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:35:18 GMT

Read Johns Hopkins University’s press release for more.

“Man has Own [Adult] Stem Cells Implanted in Heart”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:55:06 GMT

The Ventura County Star reports.

“Company Generates Stem Cells from Blood”

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:25:00 GMT

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports on an exciting new way to obtain pluripotent stem cells (cells that can transform into any tissue type) from an ethical and abundant source, human blood. Excerpts:

Cellular Dynamics is the first company to say it can make stem cells from something as readily available, and so representative of human diversity, as blood.

. . .

The stem cells, which scientists refer to as induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, have all the characteristics of embryonic stem cells [except they don’t involve destroying human embryos]. They can turn into beating heart cells, liver cells or any other tissue cells in the body.

“Study Finds Adult Stem Cells, Not Embryonic, Best Suited for Repairing Muscle”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:54:19 GMT

LifeNews reports.

“Adult Stem Cells May Cure the Ailing Heart in Congestive Heart Failure”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:50:17 GMT

The DC Examiner reports.

“Amniotic Fluids Bring [Adult] Stem Cell Boost”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:13:41 GMT

The Globe and Mail reports.

Placentas Prove Powerful Source of Ethically Obtained Stem Cells

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:05:39 GMT

The DC Examiner reports. Excerpt:

Researchers at the Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland, California have discovered a new way to harvest stem cells from the placenta. This technique is a good use of the placenta which at the moment serves no medicinal purpose after birth and thus is discarded. What is more, the study “finds there are far more stem cells in placentas than in umbilical cord blood, and they can be safely extracted for transplantation.”

“Hysterectomies a[n Ethical Adult] Stem Cell Source”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:54:34 GMT

The BBC reports.

“Placentas Could Be an Important Source of [Adult] Stem Cells to Fight Disease”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:09:27 GMT

InsideBayArea.com reports.

“Stem Cell Debate: Adult Stem Cells are Proven Answer”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:43:22 GMT

Doug Billings explains in the DC Examiner.

Good News from Adult Stem Cells

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:41:19 GMT

Dr. Robert Wascher explains how adult stem cell transplantation can help people with congestive heart failure while Voice of America reports on patients who are being successfully treated for leukemia with adult stem cells.

“Woman To Undergo [Adult] Stem Cell Transplant To Treat MS”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:41:41 GMT

WCCO reports. Excerpt:

Desperate to help her daughter, Radde surfed the Internet for answers. That's how she found out what a doctor at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago was doing.

Dr. Richard Burt is using patients' own stem cells to fight MS.

"This therapy's designed to reset your immune system," said Burt.

"He's been doing these stem cell transplants and every single person that has been in this program has halted their disease," said Radde.

"Eighty-one percent of them are actually healing and regenerating their myelin, and that's the covering on the nerves that every MS patient wants to keep," said Jung.

“Using [Adult] Stem Cells to Grow Hair”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:17:27 GMT

WTSP Tampa reports about another practical use for ethical adult stem cell research.

“Rhode Island Considers Public Cord-Blood Bank”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:42:17 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“Adult Stem Cells Solve Embryonic Research Problems”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:31:42 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“Cord Blood: Saving For The Future”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:07:35 GMT

NewsOn6 reports. While this potentially life-saving form of ethical stem cell treatment is still rather expensive, couples can still choose to donate their left-over umbilical cord stem cells for the benefit of others.

“Adult Stem Cells Can Help Heal Broken Bones”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:07:37 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“Adult Stem Cells Show Diabetes Success But, Mainstream Media Coverage Lacking”

AdvanceUSA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:31:06 GMT

LifeNews reports.

“Horse [Adult] Stem Cell Technique to be Tested in People”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:13:21 GMT

Reuters reports. Excerpt:

Patients will receive injections containing millions of their own stem cells, which have been extracted and multiplied up in a laboratory, and can regenerate new tissue to repair damaged regions.

More than 1,500 race horses have been treated using the same process and follow-up data suggests a 50 percent reduction in re-injury over a three year period, compared with conventional treatment.

“More Parents Banking on Umbilical Cord Stem Cells as a Lifeline”

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:59:43 GMT

The Morning Call reports.

“Adult Stem Cells Show Promise for Damaged Corneas”

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:31:16 GMT

CitizenLink reports.