Dr. Farshid Guilak: Can stem cells help those with arthritis? – Stem …

Apr 25

Stems cells taken from just a few grams of body fat are a promising weapon against the crippling effects of osteoarthritis.

For the past two decades, knee, hip or other joint replacements have been the standard treatment for the deterioration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. But artificial joints only last about 15 years and are difficult to repair once they fail.

Stem cell injections may offer a new type of therapy by either stopping the degenerative process or by regenerating the damaged cartilage, said pioneering researcher Dr. Farshid Guilak, a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of orthopedic research at Duke University.

Guilak, one of the first researchers to grow cartilage from fat, explains why stem cells are a bright light in osteoarthritis research and why widespread clinical use is still years away. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.

Q: How are stem cell injections purported to help?

A: Several studies in animals show that stem cell injections may help by reducing the inflammation in the joint. Stem cells appear to have a natural capacity to produce anti-inflammatory molecules, and once injected in the joint, can slow down the degenerative process in osteoarthritis.

(Since this interview, research published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine has found that stem cells may also be an effective way to deliver therapeutic proteins for pain relief related to rheumatoid arthritis.)

Q: Does the bulk of research look at how stem cells heal traumatic injuries, or does it look at degenerative conditions such as arthritis?

A: Nearly all previous studies on stem cell therapies in joints have focused on trying to repair small focal damage to the cartilage. Only a few recent studies have begun to examine the possibility for treating the whole joint, either to grow enough cartilage to resurface the entire joint or to use stem cells to prevent further degeneration.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 …

NEW YORK, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity

http://www.reportlinker.com/p01075729/Stem-Cell-Therapy-Market-in-Asia-Pacific-to-2018Commercialization-Supported-by-Favorable-Government-Policies-Strong-Pipeline-and-Increased-Licensing-Activity.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Biological_Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity

Summary

GBI Research, the leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity. The report provides an in-depth analysis on stem cell research and development in India, China, Japan, South-Korea and Singapore. The report market analysis and forecasts for CABG, LSCT, Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, Hearticellgram, Cerecellgram, Cartistem and Cupistem. The report also provides information on trends and pipelines. In addition to this, the report covers market drivers and challenges for stem cell research market.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Researchs team of industry experts.

GBI Research analysis finds the stem cell therapy market was valued at $545m in 2012, and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10% from 2012 to 2018, to attain a value of $972m in 2018. The market is poised for significant growth in the forecast period due to the anticipated launch of JCR Pharmaceuticals JR-031 (2014) in Japan and FCB Pharmicells Cerecellgram (CCG) (2015) in South Korea. The research is mainly in early stages, with the majority of the molecules being in early stages of development (Phase I/II and Phase II). Phase I/II and Phase II contribute 67% of the pipeline. Stem cell research is dominated by hospitals/universities/institutions, which contribute 63% of the molecules in the pipeline. The dominance of institutional research is attributable to uncertain therapeutic outcomes in stem cell research.The major companies conducting research in India include Reliance Life Sciences and Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, among others. The major institutions include PGIMER and AIIMS.

Scope

Country analysis of regulatory framework of India, China, South-Korea, Japan and Singapore In-depth information and analysis on the pipeline products expected to bring a shift to the market positions of the leading manufacturers. Market characterization data for stem cell research for CABG, LSCT, Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, Hearticellgram, Cerecellgram, Cartistem and Cupistem. Key drivers and restraints that have a significant impact on the market. Competitive landscape of stem cell research in Asia-Pacific. The key companies discussed in this report are Stempeutics, Reliance Lifesciences, International Stem cell services, Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology, JCR Pharmaceuticals, ES Cells International, Stem Cell Technologies i, Pharmicell and Medipost Key M&A activities, licensing agreements, that have taken place between stem cell companies in 2007 till date.

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Explore the Forefront of iPS Cell Research … – Stem Cell Cafe

TOKYO(BUSINESS WIRE)

Expectation toward regenerative medicine and stem cell research represented by iPS cells is ever growing, not only for clinical application but also as tools to make drug development/discovery more effective and efficient. Especially in Japan, home of the Novel prize winner Dr. Yamanaka, the market is moving very actively, gaining support in many aspects such as government subsidies, legislation, launch of research centers and so on.

At BIOtech 2013 Japan (Asias LARGEST bio event taking place in Tokyo from May 8 to 10), there will be an increased number of presentations, research achievements and technologies/products related to iPS Cell Research / Regenerative Medicine showcased. Why not visit BIOtech 2013 Japan and explore the forefront of the hottest field?

The foremost authority of stem cell research addresses the future potential of iPS Cells (CONFERENCE) At the Conference, the latest development on iPS Cells and Regenerative Medicine will be addressed as one of the main features. No.1 popular session at the moment is Special Session-3 spoken by the foremost authority of stem cell research, Dr. Hiro Nakauchi (Professor and Director, Center of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science of The University of Tokyo). In addition to his presentation iPS Technology and its Potential for Future Medicine, Dr. Sawa (Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine) will disclose newly-developed cell sheet technology and its application for complete regeneration of severely-damaged myocardium. There will be more sessions featuring regenerative medicine and stem cell research, such as Special Session-5 addressing the great challenge of regenerative medicine 3-D Tissue Engineering, Special Session-9 addressing the theme from a different approach materials and manufacturing technologies required for further development of regenerative medicine, and many more. >>Full program & application (FREE admission with Member Registration)

The latest research achievements by Japanese academics (PARTNERING) BIOtech 2013 Japan will also be a prime opportunity to explore the latest academic research achievements and find partners from about 200 Japanese academic presenters, who participate in Partnering at BIOtech 2013 Japan through online Bio Partnering System. There will be an increased number of platform technologies/seeds related to iPS Cells / Regenerative Medicine presented this year. (See below for excerpts) -Screening for compounds using hiPS cells and a chemically defined serum-free culture (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION, Dr. Masaki Kinehara) -Cancer Stem Cell Model Developed From iPS Cells (OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY, Dr. Masaharu Seno) -Production of virus-free iPS cells by a novel cell penetrating peptide (NATIONAL CENTER FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND MEDICINE, Dr. Yukihito Ishizaka) -Development of the biological pacemaker derived from pluripotent stem cells (TOTTORI UNIVERSITY, Dr. Yasuaki Shirayoshi) -Cytometry using antibody arrays for the quality control of stem cells (HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY, Dr. Koichi Kato)

>>Search other research themes / academics >>Join Bio Partnering System and receive proposals/appointment requests from academics (Member Registration)

Products/services supporting iPS Cell Research (EXHIBITION) Many companies considering the growth of the iPS market as a huge opportunity, theres a notable increase in exhibits for/applied to iPS cell research at BIOtech 2013 Japan. >>Exhibitors with products/services for iPS/ES Cells Research Why not find the latest products/technologies at Asias largest product/technology showcase, where 600 exhibitors gather from around the world? (expected) >>Search exhibitors on e-Guidebook

Visit BIOtech 2013 Japan! (May 8-10 at Tokyo Big Sight) Still in time! To visit, get FREE Invitation Ticket NOW. >>>http://www.bio-t.jp/en/inv/

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Scientist identifies protein molecule used to … – Stem Cell Cafe

Apr. 22, 2013 Understanding exactly how stem cells form into specific organs and tissues is the holy grail of regenerative medicine. Now a UC Santa Barbara researcher has added to that body of knowledge by determining how stem cells produce different types of daughter cells in Drosophila (fruit flies). T

he findings appear today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Denise Montell, Duggan Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at UCSB, and colleagues studied the ovaries of fruit flies in order to see stem cells in their natural environment. Because these organisms are excellent models for understanding stem cell biology, researchers were able to shed light on the earliest stages of follicle cell differentiation, a previously poorly understood area of developmental biology. It is clear that the fundamental principles that control cell behavior in simple animals are conserved and control the behavior of our cells as well, she said. There is so much we can learn by studying simple organisms.

Using a nuclear protein expressed in follicle stem cells (FSCs), the researchers found that castor, which plays an important role in specifying which types of brain cells are produced during embryonic development, also helps maintain FSCs throughout the life of the animal. Having identified this important protein molecule in fruit flies, we can test whether the human version of the protein is important for stem cells and their daughters as well, said Montell. The more we know about the molecules that govern stem cell behavior, the closer we will get to controlling these cells.

Her research team placed the evolutionarily conserved castor (Cas) gene, which encodes a zinc finger protein, in a genetic circuit with two other evolutionarily conserved genes, hedgehog (Hh) and eyes absent (Eya), to determine the fates of specific cell progeny (daughters). Whats more, they identified Cas as a critical, tissue-specific target of Hh signaling, which not only plays a key role in maintaining follicle stem cells but also assists in the diversification of their progeny.

The study also shows that complementary patterns of Cas and Eya reveal the gradual differentiation of polar and stalk precursor cells at the earliest stages of their development. In addition, it provides a marker for cell fates and insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which FSC progeny diverge into distinct fates.

Follicle cells undergo a binary choice during early differentiation. Those that turn into specialized cells found at the poles of egg chambers go on to make two cell types: polar and stalk. The three genes, Cas, Eya and Hh, work in various combinations, sometimes repressively, to determine which types of cells are formed. Cas is required for polar and stalk cell fate specification, while Eya is a negative regulator of these cells fate. Hh is necessary for Cas to be expressed, and Hh signaling is essential to repress Eya.

If you just had one of these markers, it was hard to tell whats going on, explained Montell. All the cells looked the same and you had no idea when or how the process occurred. But now we can actually see how the cells acquire different identities.

Hh also plays many roles in embryonic development, adult homeostasis, birth defects, and cancer. Hh antagonists are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of several types of cancer. However, Hh signaling is important in so many different cell types and tissues that systemic delivery of such inhibitors may cause serious side effects. Therefore identifying the essential, tissue-specific effectors of Hh has the potential to lead to the identification of more specific therapeutic targets.

Someday, targeted inhibition of Hh signaling may be effective in the treatment and prevention of many types of human cancers.

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Human Stem Cells Injected In Mice Restore Memory, Learning …

April 22, 2013

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully transformed human embryonic stem cells into nerve cells that helped mice regain their memory and the ability to learn.

Senior author Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at the university, said that he and his colleagues have for the first time demonstrated that human stem cells can implant themselves in the brain and heal neurological defects.

Once they were inserted into the brain of the rodents, the implanted stem cells formed two common but essential types of neurons. Those neurons which Zhang said are involved with many different types of human behavior, emotions, learning, memory, and psychiatric issues communicate with the chemicals GABA or acetylcholine.

The embryonic stem cells used in the study were cultured in a laboratory using chemicals known to promote development into nerve cells. Zhang has worked on similar projects for the past 15 years, according to the university, and has helped pioneer research in the field.

As for the mice, they were said to be a special type which did not reject transplants from other species. An area of their brains responsible for memory and learning, known as the medial septum, were then intentionally damaged. The medial septum connects to the GABA and cholinergic neurons, Zhang said.

This circuitry is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember, he added.

The human cells were transplanted into the hippocampus, a key memory center located at the opposite end of those memory circuits. Following the successful implementation of the stem cells, the mice reportedly scored significantly better on common tests in both memory and learning.

After the transferred cells were implanted, in response to chemical directions from the brain, they started to specialize and connect to the appropriate cells in the hippocampus, the university explained in a statement. The process is akin to removing a section of telephone cable If you can find the correct route, you could wire the replacement from either end.

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UCLA Researchers Develop New Method for Purifying Stem Cells …

Newswise UCLA researchers led by Carla Koehler, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Dr. Michael Teitell, professor of pathology and pediatrics, both members of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, have discovered a new agent that may be useful in strategies to remove pluripotent stem cells that fail-to-differentiate from their progeny, tissue-specific cells, potentially resulting in safer therapies for patients. The study was published online ahead of press April 15, 2013 in Developmental Cell.

Pluripotent stem cells can become any cell in the body. When stem cells are differentiated into specific daughter cells such as nerve, muscle, or bone cells, not all of the stem cells differentiate, leaving some pluripotent stem cells mixed in with the differentiated cells. Because of the pluripotent stem cells ability to become any cell type in the body, these cells can also become unintended cells such as bone in blood, or form tumors called teratomas. Therefore, identifying and removing pluripotent stem cells from the differentiated cells before using daughter cells is of utmost importance in stem cell-based therapeutics. Current methods for removing pluripotent stem cells are limited.

Studies in the model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae, simple bakers yeast, by Koehler, Teitell, and colleagues discovered a molecule called MitoBloCK-6 that inhibits assembly of the mitochondria, which are the power plants of cells. As the group moved to more complex systems, they showed that MitoBloCK-6 blocked cardiac development in the model organism, zebrafish. However, MitoBloCK-6 had no effect on differentiated cell lines that are typically cultured in the lab. I was puzzled by this result, because we thought this pathway was essential for all cells regardless of differentiation state, said Koehler.

Post-doctoral fellow Deepa Dabir meticulously tested the compound on many differentiated cell lines, but the results were still the same: The cells remained healthy. Then the team decided to test MitoBloCK-6 on human pluripotent stem cells. Post-doctoral fellow Kiyoko Setoguchi showed that the pluripotent stem cells died in the presence of MitoBloCK-6, but shortly after differentiation, the daughter cells were resistant to death.

MitoBloCK-6 caused the pluripotent stem cells to die by triggering apoptosis, a process of cell suicide. The death of pluripotent stem cells left a population of differentiated cells, thus potentially reducing the risks of teratoma and other problems that would limit their use as a regenerative medicine treatment strategy.

We discovered that pluripotent stem cell mitochondria undergo a change during differentiation into tissue-specific daughter cells, said Teitell, which could be the key to the survival of the differentiated cells when the samples are exposed to MitoBloCK-6. We are still investigating this process in mitochondria, but we now know that mitochondria have an important role in controlling pluripotent stem cell survival.

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Voices Against Brain Cancer Comments on New Study Claiming Fat …

Medical Daily reports on a new study where stem cells from fat tissue were used to help track difficult regions in the brain prone to remission. Voices Against Brain Cancer releases a statement encouraging more stem cell research.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 18, 2013

According to the Medical Daily article by Ansa Varughese, the study showed that stem cells from fat tissue can be used to track difficult regions in the brain prone to remission. Scientists cannot yet determine why or how these stem cells target the prone areas, but the cells seem naturally drawn to the damaged areas. Researchers are using the stem cells as transporters to help deliver drugs for treatment in the cancer spreading regions of the brain.

Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, the lead researcher and professor of neurosurgery, oncology, and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins, was quoted in the article as saying, The biggest challenge in brain cancer is the migration of cancer cells. Even when we remove the tumor, some of the cells have already slipped away and are causing damage somewhere else. Building off our findings, we may be able to find a way to arm a patient&s own healthy cells with the treatment needed to chase down those cancer cells and destroy them. It&s truly personalized medicine.

The Medical Daily article goes on to mention that harvesting the mesenchymal stem cells from the fat tissue is safer than getting the cells from bone marrow. While it will still take years before a clinical trial happens in the U.S., the new stem cell treatment could play a major part in battling brain cancer.

Michael Klipper, Chairman of VABC, offers his comments on the new study. This is a great step toward battling brain cancer. While its still a new study, it seems to be having positive results, and can hopefully become something used in brain cancer treatment in the future. Dealing with brain tumors and the treatment after can be a major, painful ordeal. Hopefully this new study will lead to a new way patients can be treated after theyve had a tumor removed.

VABC has a wide variety of initiatives in place for brain cancer research, awareness and support. The organizations research grants fund cutting-edge research programs that will have a monumental impact on the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer. VABC currently funds research at several esteemed institutions such as Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, John Hopkins, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Yale, to name a few.

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Alicia McAllister 5W Public Relations 646-430-5155 Email Information

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Preliminary Research, Led By Dr. Vincent Giampapa, Finds Aged …

MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ &A preliminary research study, which found that adult stem cells may be functionally reprogrammed to act like younger cells, was presented by Dr. Vincent Giampapa at The Second International Vatican Stem Cell Conference: Regenerative Medicine A Fundamental Shift in Science and Culture, from within the Vatican, held between April 11-13, 2013. The research, which has potential implications in the restoration of human immune function, was conducted by researchers affiliated with CellHealth Institute.

(Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130327/LA84207LOGO)

Dr. Vincent Giampapa, chief medical officer of CellHealth Institute, faculty at UMDNJ&s Medical School, and principal investigator of the research, revealed that the preliminary findings support further research into the reprogramming of adult stem cells. This research could lead to a major breakthrough in treating chronic illnesses, enhancing immune response and the maintenance of optimal health.

&Although this is a pilot study, this is the first time that adult stem cells have been functionally reprogrammed to act as younger versions of themselves,& said Dr. Giampapa. &The implications for future use in the restoration of immune function as well as the cell regeneration in aging humans is plausible. It&s early days, but the signs are there to give us great hope as we move forward into the next phases of research.&

CellHealth Institute and its research is supported by key investors, including John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation, and Dr. Ed Bosarge, founder and CEO of Capital Technologies Inc. The preliminary research study was funded by Dr. Bosarge, through the Bosarge Family Office. Dr. Bosarge will also fund the next stage of the research, which is scheduled to take place in the coming months.

About CellHealth InstituteCellHealthInstitute(CHI)is a biotechnology company focused on cellular health that integrates breakthrough products and services with holistic lifestyle education.CHI collaborates with top-tier research universities and publicly traded biotech companies to offer fully integrated personalized health programs paired with scientific biomarker evaluations, as well as medical-grade supplements, including everycell,and advanced treatment through stem cell therapies. The organization is headquartered in New Jersey with an international regenerative medicine destination in Costa Rica set to open in 2014. CHI services and products allowpeopleto take control of their own health at the most basic level their cells.

Read this article: Preliminary Research, Led By Dr. Vincent Giampapa, Finds Aged Adult Stem Cells Can Be Functionally Reprogrammed To Act &

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Adult stem cells offer ethical, effective cures, speakers say … – First

Vatican City

Finding safe and effective cures to disease and illness does not have to go against moral and ethical that was the message of a three-day conference at the Vatican on adult stem-cell therapies.

&To address global suffering, one does not have to choose between faith and science. & These two ideas fit together symbiotically,& said Dr. Robin Smith, chairman and CEO of the for-profit NeoStem biopharmaceutical company and president of its nonprofit Stem for Life Foundation.

The two groups helped sponsor the April 11-13 conference together with the Pontifical Council for Culture and its foundation & STOQ International, which is an acronym for Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest.

The groups& second &International Vatican Adult Stem Cell Conference& focused on regenerative medicine and how new discoveries are being made for treatments of multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and organ and tissue repair.

Smith told journalists before the conference that the main aim was educating the public about the promises offered by adult stem-cell therapies, &which come with no ethical blemishes.&

She said, &the political arguments that erupted over the last 20 years& over embryonic stem-cell science, &have created great confusion& and &ultimately clouded global awareness of the ethical research& found in adult stem cells.

The Catholic church opposes any research that harms the human embryo. However, the church supports research and therapies utilizing adult stem cells, which can develop into a variety of specialized cells, alleviating degenerative illnesses by repairing damaged tissues.

Msgr. Tomasz Trafny, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture&s science and faith department, said the conference aimed to help inform the general public about the new therapies since &modern science increasingly appears inscrutable and impenetrable to non-experts.&

Among the dozens of speakers invited to help translate the new developments into layman&s terms were Nobel Prize winner John B. Gurdon & a pioneer of adult stem-cell research & and Tommy G. Thompson & former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services and former governor of Wisconsin.

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Pros And Cons Of Stem Cell Research

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Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research - What are Stem Cells? There has been much controversy in the press recently about the pros and cons of stem cell research. What is the controversy all about? "Stem" cells can be contrasted with "differentiated" cells. They offer much hope for medical advancement because of their ability to grow into almost any kind of cell. For instance, neural cells in the brain and spinal cord that have been damaged can be replaced by stem cells. In the treatment of cancer, cells destroyed by radiation or chemotherapy can be replaced with new healthy stem cells that adapt to the affected area, whether it be part of the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or wherever. Dead cells of almost any kind, no matter the type of injury or disease, can be replaced with new healthy cells thanks to the amazing flexibility of stem cells. As a result, billions of dollars are being poured into this new field.

Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research - Where Do They Come From? To understand the pros and cons of stem cell research, one must first understand where stem cells come from. There are three main sources for obtaining stem cells - adult cells, cord cells, and embryonic cells. Adult stem cells can be extracted either from bone marrow or from the peripheral system. Bone marrow is a rich source of stem cells. However, some painful destruction of the bone marrow results from this procedure. Peripheral stem cells can be extracted without damage to bones, but the process takes more time. And with health issues, time is often of the essence. Although difficult to extract, since they are taken from the patient's own body, adult stem cells are superior to both umbilical cord and embryonic stem cells. They are plentiful. There is always an exact DNA match so the body's immune system never rejects them. And as we might expect, results have been both profound and promising.

Stem cells taken from the umbilical cord are a second very rich source of stem cells. Umbilical cells can also offer a perfect match where a family has planned ahead. Cord cells are extracted during pregnancy and stored in cryogenic cell banks as a type of insurance policy for future use on behalf of the newborn. Cord cells can also be used by the mother, the father or others. The more distant the relationship, the more likely it is that the cells will be rejected by the immune system's antibodies. However, there are a number of common cell types just as there are common blood types so matching is always possible especially where there are numerous donors. The donation and storage process is similar to blood banking. Donation of umbilical cells is highly encouraged. Compared to adult cells and embryonic cells, the umbilical cord is by far the richest source of stem cells, and cells can be stored up in advance so they are available when needed. Further, even where there is not an exact DNA match between donor and recipient, scientists have developed methods to increase transferability and reduce risk.

Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research - Embryonic Cells The pros and cons of stem cell research come to the surface when we examine the third source of stem cells - embryonic cells. Embryonic stem cells are extracted directly from an embryo before the embryo's cells begin to differentiate. At this stage the embryo is referred to as a "blastocyst." There are about 100 cells in a blastocyst, a very large percentage of which are stem cells, which can be kept alive indefinitely, grown in cultures, where the stem cells continue to double in number every 2-3 days. A replicating set of stem cells from a single blastocyst is called a "stem cell line" because the genetic material all comes from the same fertilized human egg that started it. President Bush authorized federal funding for research on the 15 stem cell lines available in August 2001. Other stem cell lines are also available for research but without the coveted assistance of federal funding.

So what is the controversy all about? Those who value human life from the point of conception, oppose embryonic stem cell research because the extraction of stem cells from this type of an embryo requires its destruction. In other words, it requires that a human life be killed. Some believe this to be the same as murder. Against this, embryonic research advocates argue that the tiny blastocyst has no human features. Further, new stem cell lines already exist due to the common practice of in vitro fertilization. Research advocates conclude that many fertilized human cells have already been banked, but are not being made available for research. Advocates of embryonic stem cell research claim new human lives will not be created for the sole purpose of experimentation.

Others argue against such research on medical grounds. Mice treated for Parkinson's with embryonic stem cells have died from brain tumors in as much as 20% of cases.1 Embryonic stem cells stored over time have been shown to create the type of chromosomal anomalies that create cancer cells.2 Looking at it from a more pragmatic standpoint, funds devoted to embryonic stem cell research are funds being taken away from the other two more promising and less controversial types of stem cell research mentioned above.

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Footnotes 1 The Real Promise of Stem Cell Research Dr. David Prentice, HealthNewsDigest.com 2 Derivation of Human Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts, C. A. Cowan and others. March 25, 2004, New England Journal of Medicine, p.1355 with secondary reference to footnotes 13-17 p.1356.

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