STANFORD, Calif., September 6, 2002 (LSN.ca) - A single unsuccessful experiment involving adult stem cells is being touted as proof that only embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure life-threatening diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University placed blood stem cells in mice with destroyed bone marrow, in hopes they would grow into millions of cells of other tissue types. The lead researcher, Amy J. Wagers, concluded: "What our study shows is that the most robust and reproducible production of multiple tissues from a single cell comes from the embryonic stem cells" and not from adult blood stem cells. An Associated Press reporter added that the finding "supports the view that embryonic stem cells, not adult stem cells, offer the most promise."
But Dr. John Shea, medical advisor to Campaign Life Coalition, is critical of the pretended finality of the Stanford researchers. "There are all sorts of other studies out there," he notes, adding, "the inference that all adult stem cells are useless flies in the face of the known evidence." Several studies concerning successes with adult stem cells follow:
1. "Landmark stem cell experiments published," New Scientist, June 20, 2002;
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2443-landmark-stem-cell-experiments-published.html
2. "Ultimate stem cell discovered," New Scientist, January 23, 2002;
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1826-ultimate-stem-cell-discovered.html
3. Krause, et al, "Multi-Organ, Multi-Lineage Engraftment by a Single Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell" [JOURAL:] Cell, May 4, 2001: 105 (3); pp. 369-377.Access the article through:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6WSN-4319PYN-S-1&_cdi=7051&_user=10&_pii=S0092867401003282&_coverDate=05%2F04%2F2001&_sk=%23TOC%237051%232001%23998949996%23250611%23FLA%23display%23Volume_105,_Issue_3,_Pages_293-416_%284_May_2001%29%23tagged%23Volume%23first%3D105%23Issue%23first%3D3%23date%23%284_May_2001%29%23&view=c&_gw=y&wchp=dGLbVlb-zSkWb&md5=8422a49f0f566e29f658e527c9aed6b9&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
4. Toma, et al., "Isolation of multipotent adult stem cells from the dermis of mammalian skin," Nature Cell Biology Vol. 3, pp. 778 - 784, September 1, 2001, see: http://www.nature.com/ncb/journal/v3/n9/full/ncb0901-778.html (Need an account or make a payment to access article)
5. Wolfgang Lillge, "The Case for Adult Stem Cell Research," 21st Century Science & Technology magazine, Winter 2001-2002. Full-text available at: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/winter01/stem_cell.html
6. See also the website of the group Do No Harm, including their Reality Checks devoted to stem cell research issues at: http://www.stemcellresearch.org/
7. Adult stem cells therapy 'may grow tissue' - BBC News, February 11, 2002 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1809322.stm
8. Fat cells could repair injuries - BBC News, February 28, 2001 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1192005.stm
9. "Muscle Stem Cells Show Promise Against Muscular Dystrophy In Mouse Model," based on research by Johnny Huard, Ph.D., and colleagues at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Bonn in Germany into adult stem cells, and funded by the Muscular Dystrophy Association et al. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/07/020704084204.htm
10. "Embryonic stem cells fix Parkinson's in rats," AP, January 8, 2002.