Huge Breakthroughs in ADULT Stem Cell Research! Have You Heard About Them?

By Deacon Keith Fournier
5/17/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Human EMBRYONIC stem cell research is always deadly

Among the worst examples of using language to deceive and hide the truth is the failure to differentiate between human EMBRYONIC stem cell research and ADULT stem cell research. Adult stem cell research is producing amazing results. We just aren't hearing about them.

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CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - Among the worst examples of using language to deceive and hide the truth is the failure to differentiate between human EMBRYONIC stem cell research and ADULT stem cell research. I have concluded that blurring these two very different areas of medical research may be an intentional act on the part of some who are hell bent on killing human embryonic persons for experimentation.

Oh, I know, some people will gasp when they read such a statement. However, given the amazing breakthroughs occurring with adult stem cell research and the lack of coverage they are receiving, I am left with no alternative. Let's consider a few examples from just the past month.

Scientists from the Schepens Eye Research Institute in Boston, Massachusetts announced the results of a study this month wherein they used stem cells which they derived from ADULT skin to actually re-grow areas of the retina and improve vision. Chinese researchers announced they have taken stem cells derived from ADULT skin and prompted them to become liver cells, thereby restoring a liver in a laboratory animal.

Finally, this month's prestigious New England Journal of Medicine reports that scientists have discovered that ADULTS have stem cells within their lungs which are capable of being used to regenerate damaged lungs. That's right, they found "undifferentiated human lung stem cells nested in niches in the distal airways. These cells are self-renewing, clonogenic, and multipotent in vitro."

Now I ask, have you heard or read about these scientific breakthroughs involving ADULT stem cell research? If not, I suggest it is because the entire "stem cell" discussion is intentionally laden with misinformation and mired in emotional appeals which cloud the scientific facts. Human embryonic stem cell research has produced no substantial results. It is always deadly for the human embryonic person. To the contrary, adult stem cell research harms no-one and has borne great results. Yet, those who support ADULT Stem Cell research and oppose EMBRYONIC stem cell research are accused of trying to impede scientific progress.

Ask yourself, how many articles have you read about EMBRYONIC stem cell research? How many news reports have insinuated that the Catholic Church is AGAINST "stem cell research"? The Catholic Church is NOT against stem cell research. The Catholic Church supports ADULT stem cell research. The Catholic Church properly opposes EMBRYONIC stem cell research. Human EMBRYONIC stem cell research is always deadly. A human embryo is not distinct in kind from a human being, but a human being at an early stage of development. "Extracting" their stem cells is embryonic execution.

In 1987 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Holy See issued an "Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation". Among the many questions answered was, "What Respect is due to the human embryo, taking into account his nature and identity?" The answer: "The human being must be respected - as a person - from the very first instant of his (her) existence."

In the "Dignity of the Person" issued in 2008 the Congregation reminded us that science must be placed at the service of the human person, the family and the common good. Any use of new technologies must respect that the human body is never an "it" - but an "I" - some-one who must never be treated as an object, "The body of a human being, from the very first stages of its existence, can never be reduced merely to a group of cells. The embryonic human body develops progressively according to a well defined program with its proper finality, as is apparent in the birth of every baby."

Every one of us is in development at every moment of our lives. The "me" who is 56 years old is the same me who was once 26 years old, or six years old, or six days old. At the very moment of conception this unique "me" came into human existence as a human person, a human being. We all know this to be true. No stage of our human life and development is less worthy of respect than another.

ADULT stem cell research has produced extraordinary results and someone doesn't have to die in the process. The Obama administration's favoring of the deadly use of embryonic stem cells in spite of the medical science which shows that adult stem cells actually produces results (and their extraction never kills) is morally repugnant and an egregious misuse of federal money.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: stem cells, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, Schepens Eye Research Institute, New England Journal, Ethics, bio-ethics, morality, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 10 of 19 Comments

Jan O'Connor
2 years ago
Message for Roger Nocera -
As a NZ Registered nurse I have studied Regenerative Medicine since 2003 and have studied and worked in Regenerative Medicine in China in relation to burns, ulcers and wounds.

I would be extremely interested to read your book - where can I purchase this and what is the ISBN number please.

Perhaps we have a common interest - you may be interested in the China Burn website/forum in regenerative medicine using Burns Regenerative Therapy/Moist Exposed Treatment/Moist Exposed Burn Ointment.
As a member of the Adult Stem Cell Foundation for Australia and New Zealand you may also be interested in Alpha Lipid Colostrum that is endorsed by this foundation.

There is much evidence based literature that this colostrum helps in degenerative disease such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease, Arthrtis and othe Auto Immune Diseases.

I am happy to share information and knowledge in regards to both areas should you wish. Jan O'Connor RGON
Jan O'Connor
2 years ago
I would like to be able to contact Tom Brunick -
As a NZ registered nurse and a member of the Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Australia and New Zealand I am very happy to assist and share my knowledge about Alpha Lipid Colostrum products, which are endorsed by the foundation,,that are known assist those who have degenerative disease such as Parkinsons Disease,Multiple Sclerosis Arthritis etc.
If there may be others, who read this website, I am happy to assist them if they wish.
Dr. John
2 years ago
I think I may have failed to make my position clear.
I am FOR adult stem cell research. I think it is very promising. I think we should embrace it.
I am AGAINST embryonic stem cell research. I think it is immoral.
We should promote further research into adult stem cell therapies and not let the argument stray over into using embryonic stem cells. That should stay off limits for all time.
Sorry if I let my words cloud my meaning.
Roger Nocera, M.D.
2 years ago
The Catholics have the scientific truth on stem cells. I have been working with adult stem cell therapy overseas since 2006 and have written a book on the subject, CELLS THAT HEAL US FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE, A Quantum Leap In Medical Science. What has been suppressed by the world media is that a natural healing organ system has been discovered over the past decade, which those in power in medicine have refused to recognize because it would shift resources away from the medically illogical but financially profitable use of EMBRYONIC stem cells to the exciting new science of ADULT stem cells, the effector limb of natures healing system.
Congrats to the Catholics for getting stem cells right!
Roger Nocera, M.D.
Theresa
2 years ago
I'm not understanding Doctor John's reasoning for objecting to adult human stem cell-research. To stop the adult research just because the "technology" can be/is abused by those who insist on trying to get something going with human embryos won't change these people's hearts. The Technology is out of the bag; it will never be reversed (especially at this point when there is so much success with adult stem cells); so why stop the work in adult stem cell research which is morally acceptable? It just doesn't make good common sense! The government can and should stop the funding for embryonic stem cell research; we must keep pressing our elected officials in Government to do so. Vote people out of office that are not pro-life, "from beginning to end!" Our country will not recover from all the trouble were in until we get our house in order on all the LiIFE issues--in accordance with the Teaching of the Magisterium of the Church.... "God is not mocked...."
hariette banzon
2 years ago
thank you for the enlightening information.
vance
2 years ago
Dr. John, Whenever I read or hear someone who indicts "Both Sides" it raises a huge red flag. This is a tired old tactic which is used commonly by Liberals to delute or mask the culpable Liberal perpetrator of his evil deeds. Sorry John, but your side is intellectually dishonest not 'Both'.
Jan
2 years ago
Regenerative Medicine.
Since 2003 I have been interested in and researched Burns Regenerative Medicine and Therapy using adult stem cells.

My initial encounter was in treating a patient who had had chronic leg ulecers for 10 years. Using this treatment these ulcers were healed within 6 months.

My personal research took me to China to study this treatment in which patients, who suffer from burns, wounds and ulcers, enjoy an improved quality of life.

At least now there is differentiation between Adult Stem Cell and Embryonic Stem Cell research so that researcher can provide the many answers that enable doctors/specialists provide treatment for patients to enable them to have an improved quality of life. These people can return to the community in which they live and be active not dependant members of society.
tom brunick
2 years ago
Deacon Keith, thank you for another great article on adult stem cells. There are many of us who suffer from diseases like Parkinson's, who want a cure. But, not at the expense of human life. Adult stem cells are the future.
Peace,
tom brunick
Dr. John
2 years ago
Both sides of the debate are intellectually dishonest.
The fantastic breakthroughs of adult stem cell research and even cord blood stem cell research are not touted by either side because those of us who oppose using embryonic stem cells recognize the slippery slope that we approach by admitting that stem cell research in general is promising and an amazing new field.
Using God's own toolbox to repair our bodies is just a mind blowing idea however if we admit this then we "fear" that it will lead directly to destruction of human life to obtain more "raw materials" to work with.
Leaving the donor alive and unharmed is an absolutely wonderful way to apply this technology.
The other side does not want to acquiesce that we are getting promising results from adult stem cells, cord blood cells and post natal sources because they fear that to do so would limit the financial and other perceived benefits from harvesting fertilized human embryos, or, what the rest of the civilized and God fearing world calls, babies. These are concentrated sources of the stem cells mentioned in the article. They are cheap and tragically plentiful.
Science without ethics and morality has no place in our world or in our faith.
If we changed the argument to say that we should use human embronic material to make a high protien animal feed that would fatten animals and feed millions there would be no end to the outcry and the protests. But to kill a baby for profit and for selfish intent is acceptable and the right thing to do according to these people.
Continue to pray for the misguided arguments on both sides of the issue and continue to tout the breakthroughs that leave the donor intact.

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