Adult Stem Cells Continue Fascinating Gains

Public confusion about stem cells comes from reports that do not distinguish what type of stem cells are being discussed. The basics — there are three types of stem cells:

• Embryonic — Living human embryo must be destroyed to obtain
• iPS — Human cells reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells
• Adult — Taken from various parts on the human body or umbilical cord blood

Anytime you read about stem cell successes in HUMANS, not animals, they are the result of using adult stem cells. Embryonic and iPS cells are still considered to0 dangerous to put into a human being.

Here are some recent human successes reported using adult stem cells:

• Liver repair using a patient’s own blood.
• Partial recovery from cerebral palsy using umbilical cord blood cells
• Windpipe reconstruction using donated tissue and the patient’s own adult stem cells
• Treatment for heart failure using a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells
• Knee repair for athletes using a “living bandage” made from adult stem cells
• Heart valve construction using adult stem cells from umbilical cord blood

The FDA reports that over 2,000 human clinical trials are underway using adult stem cells. This is incredibly exciting scientific progress that is totally ethical because no one has to die to retrieve the stem cells. Reason for hope and promise for real patients with real diseases and for the moral values of our world.

For more information on stem cell research go here.

Barbara Lyons