Getting Emotional Over Stem Cells (UPDATED After Claims of an HIV Cure)

In fact, this patient's HIV cure was from donated stem cells, not embryonic.

So this update only underscores the point that the Bush "ban" on new lines of embryonic stem cells didn't effectively halt stem cell research. Or tie researchers' hands.

Edited to add: My point being (as above) that it is inaccurate to call the withdrawal of research funds for a specific type of embryonic stem cells a "ban on stem cell research," and that other types of stem cell research are proving to be far more promising (such as this one).

If you draw the line at aborted fetus embryos- why? If they are aborted and not used, why not use them for something like this? Why not make them useful? And why do you value the "potential" life of an embryo over the real, breathing life of my father?

I'm just finding this via the update. I understand that most of the comments are from last year.

What most opponents seem to overlook is that stem cell research is NOT just about embryos. I donated peripheral stem cells to a 21 year old woman with leukemia. She was able to live an additional 10 months.

Stem cells can prolong and even save lives without having anything to do with embryonic research.

I'm a conservative woman who is against only the stem cell research that uses embryos. I have my son's umb cord frozen for the purposes of stem cells and I fully support all research that does not involve embryos. As did President Bush.

It's really irritating that there's an acceptable level of falsehood against the right that would never be tolerated against the left.

Stem cell research has been a priority for the right. We just don't think using aborted fetuses is morally acceptable. Obama isn't doing much more than GWB did in the long run, it's just Obama doesn't have a moral objection to using fetuses for research or other methods that GWB-era politicos had a moral objection to. Of course it's easier to use fetuses. So I guess maybe now that the "shackles" are off those poor scientists, all your ailments will be cured.

For the record, I'm sure everyone here knows someone with a disease that can benefit from stem cells. Why? Because most people at some point in their lives have a disease. However, many of us have a line that we will draw in order to cure it. My line stops at using stem cells from embryos.

*Also FYI, Obama might remove the "Bush era limitations" but not much federal funding is going there regardless.

As someone else who will need a kidney in the future, I'm nodding my head along with Nordette. And getting kind of weepy, too.

Contributing Editor Jenna Hatfield (@FireMom ( http://twitter.com/FireMom )) blogs at Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ). She is a freelance writer and newspaper photographer.

"First came the announcement from the White House that Obama was overturning a ban on stem-cell research. Then I started my own research for this post, and I learned a lot reading and thinking about things. And here's where I start to cry and get angry."

Then, later in a comment you state, "cures, knowledge who knows what they will ( http://www.blogher.com/getting-emotional-over-stem... )

find (...)  ( http://www.blogher.com/getting-emotional-over-stem... )I'm just happy they are TRYING again."

This type of language only serves to reinforce the falsehood that there was a complete ban on all stem cell research.  Understood that it wasn't your intention.

The fact is that many believe that there was an outright ban under Bush, and now it's been lifted.  It's a point worth clarifying that the ban was only on federal funding of new embryonic stem cell lines (not stem cell research as a whole, not even embryonic stem cell research, only NEW lines of embryonic stem cell research).

FWIW, I understand very well the potential benefits of stem cell research; nearly eleven years ago when my son was born I had his umbilical cord stems cells harvested and cryogenically frozen.  I hope I never need to use it, nor my daughter's that I saved after her birth.

is not in my post.

And the roadblock of not opening more lines for study and the hand-tying of federal funds with these restrictions was more than effective enough in stunting the work scientists were doing.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

Erin, I wish your father well too.  How many of you have children who suffer from a disease and you feel helpless because there is nothing more that you can do?  My oldest was diagnoised with JV diabetes when he was 15 and to watch him day in and day out prick his finger, shoot himself in the leg, arm, stomach or wherever to take insulin is very painful as a parent. He carries around an emergency pen in case he blacks out if he goes to low.Will someone know what to do if this happens?

 You worry if they will go too low, and you worry that their sugar will be too high causing problems down the road for them. Diabetes has complications if you do not take care of yourself from eyes to feet.  It is rough disease. You are dependent on insulin the rest of your life.

 Stem cell research could reverse this disease. No child should have to suffer from this or any other autoimmune disease or cancer. 

Anna 

www.green-talk.com ( http://www.green-talk.com )

Turning the Planet green, one conversation at Time.

Erin ~ first, and most importantly, I wish your father well.  There is nothing worse than having a loved one ill.  

But to set the political record straight (because there is a fundamental misunderstanding that is being perpetuated in the media) under Bush there was not a BAN on stem cell research.  In fact, Bush was the first president to federally fund stem cell research.

The restriction (signed in 2001) that so confuses people is that there was no federal funding for NEW lines of embryonic stem cells created after that date.  There was still federal funding for existing embryonic stem cell lines, and for all other stem cell research (bone marrow, umbilical cord, etc.).

Furthermore, private companies were still free to pursue new embryonic stem cell lines, and in 2004 my state of California approved a referendum which is sending $3 billion into this research.

There have been huge advances in stem cell research in recent years.  In fact, the FDA just approved a clinical for treatment for spinal cord injuries with embryonic stem cells; the US is the first country to ever do so.

Thank you, Erin, for a well-written post. You wonderfully and eloquently summarized my feelings, frustrations and excitement over the start-stop-start cycle of stem cell research. I too find it offensive, even odd, that those opposed to stem cell research are fighting to save embryos already destined for destruction. I understand that for many this is a religious issue, but I question the logic behind the argument. If religion (and therefore, God) is the basis for the opposition, then it seems to me one could counter-argue that it would be more god-like and altruistic for these soon-to-be-destroyed embryos to serve a higher purpose - to save or better the lives of those who are dying and/or suffering.

To our President, I say bravo and thank you. To the many researchers involved in this critical work, Godspeed. 

Susan Doherty

Six Minute Style

Little Show. Big Ideas

www.sixminutestyle.com 

And unscientific.  It is little more than pandering to the basest fears of those without imagination.

 MLO / Melissa

So many strong people. I've been touched as well by these stories, and I mean with weeping and smiling. Thank you for including my post in your round up, Erin.

Nordette ( http://blogher.org/blog/nordette ): BlogHer CE. Blogs @ WSATA ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com ) & UMBOP ( http://urbanpsalms.blogspot.com ). @Twitter ( http://twitter.com/nordette_verite )

And I am touched by so many of them.

As Atena said- here's to HOPE!

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

As you know, Erin, I can't stand up straight and I don't walk very well on my artificial hips, which were implanted in 1995, when I was 38 years old. The reason is ankylosing spondylitis ( http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankylosingspond... ), an autoimmune disease that made my immune system attack my spine, throwing off my other weight-bearing joints. It also affects my lungs, heart and eyes. The medications I take to control the pain damage my liver. It robbed me of much of my independence, the ability to do normal things with my children, devastated my finances and helped to wreck my marriage. It took doctors more than a decade to figure out what was wrong with me because. When I was diagnosed in 1986, my rheumatologist told me that the probable reason it hadn't been diagnosed sooner is that doctors don't expect this condition to present in a black woman. There is some hope ( http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=ajdb.200... ) that stem cell research can reverse the damage done by this condition. The eight years lost means that I may be too old for any therapy that is developed, but it might help others. That would be good, because I wouldn't wish what I've experienced on my worst enemy.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|

 My daughter has spina bifida, and we have been blessed a thousand times with amazing positive outcomes in her health.  Other families are not so fortunate.  And as she grows, things may change, because her spinal cord is tethered (as opposed to free-floating, like most people's) and may need to be moved surgically as her spine grows longer.

 I have been praying for something like this - even just a small window into the potential of better solutions for her life.  I know those scientists are raring to go - I'm grateful they have an opportunity to get going.

As I say, we are so blessed that our girl is able to walk and do so many things for herself.  Other people who experience unexpected spinal cord defects, trauma, etc. should have the chance to feel as blessed as we do.  

Here's to hope!

Atena

Assumptions, Biases & Irrational Fantasies ( http://antibias.wordpress.com )

I couldn't agree more.  I think that people who are opposed to it take the stance without bothering to learn anything about it.

I have a friend with a daughter just one month older than my own who is suffering from a rare and debilitating genetic disease.  I know that she, and others like her, are cheering this news.  So I cheer it too.  Like you I think we need to value actual people over cells.  How can any other path be considered respectful of life?

~ Amber

www.strocel.com ( http://www.strocel.com )

 Thank you.  THANK YOU. 

To hear people make statements about this being a frivilous bill, or a distraction from the "real"issues turns my stomach.  For some of us, this has been 8 years coming!  This is a real issue for millions of people.  People losing thier children, their spouses, their parents and their friends. 

To hide behind some mask of being "pro-life" and protecting the potential lives of cells, could not be more contradictory.  What about the lives of the living?  How can you out weigh the actual life of a sick child or loved one with the "potential life" of a frozen embryo is ridiculous. 

A stem cell transplant gave us 6 more months with my best friend, my brothers wife, a victim of smooth muscle cancer.  And while I am so grateful for that time, I am saddened that this legislation didn't come sooner...more progress could have been made...more time could have been had.

www.barefootfoodie.com ( http://www.barefootfoodie.com )

Religion controlling and repressing discovery, indeed.  I'm also very glad that President Obama is clearing the path for stem cell research.  I've had three family members taken from my life due to cancer and I would love to be able to see in my lifetime a better survival rate for all types of cancer.  Perhaps stem cells will make that possible. 

I'm just happy they are TRYING again.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

I am in complete agreement with you.  Why in the world would we deny ourselves the continued benefits of science in the medical world?  I'm grateful that we will have an opportunity in the next four years to save lives that deserve saving.   

SMOOCHES BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!

www.MonicaMingo.com ( http://www.MonicaMingo.com )

That's all I keep thinking. We HAVE to try. For mankind, we have to try.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

 What amazes me is how passive many of us have been for the past eight years just accepting Bush's decision without any pushback and if there was pushbackit seemed so civilized. Was it because of 9/11, Antrax, Enron, et al?

Or, was it because we knew that around the world the doctors were not being hampered by Bush's born-again view of the world and that researxh was really going on anyway?

I'm thrilled that American doctors can now now go full throttle.Whether it's canncer, paralysis, or auto-immune diseases, it is comforting to know that cures could be around the corner.

elana
Blogher Contributing Editor,Business&CareersFunnyBusiness ( http://funnybusiness.typepad.com/funnybusiness )

I love my children dearly.

But I watched a plethora of health issues destroy and kill my son and I'm currently watching my new son fight every day just to get through his next minute.

I can't cheer loudly enough to hear this announcement.

May the future shine brightly for our medical establishment and patients in need everywhere.