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May 30, 2005
Breakthrough In Adult Stem Cell Research
AJStrata discovered this fascinating item over at NewsMax:
Scientists at Australia's Griffith University have engineered a breakthrough in the field of adult stem cell research that's so significant, say experts, that it could render the debate over embryonic stem cell research moot.
The results of the four-year research project showed that olfactory stem cells can be turned into heart cells, brain cells, nerve cells – indeed, almost any kind of cell in the body – without the problems of rejection or tumors forming, a common side effect with embryonic stem cells.
I am by no means an expert on this subject, but the article goes on to highlight two points that, to me, are of primary importance: 1) there appears to be some research that shows that embryonic stem cells can cause tumors; and 2) the adult stem cells studied by the Australian team can be taken from the patient, thus eliminating the possibility of rejection.
These are both questions that deserve to be explored in great detail by the considerable resources of the MSM. Yet we've heard...nothing.
And regarding the first point: The left has begun to use the so-called Precautionary Principle in earnest as a cudgel to smite mightily the causes they oppose. Simply put, the principle states that infinite caution must be employ when dealing with a question concerning the environment, public health, etc., no matter what the science says about the statistical probabilities involved. We've all heard this before: "Well, we don't know what effect _________ will have, so until we do, you should eliminate it completely from your life."
Seems like the questions about embryonic stem cells would certainly warrant some caution along these lines--if one is playing fair. And one would certainly expect this report from Australia to be big news.
If one is playing fair.
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Comments
Thanks for posting this - hope the word gets spread around!
Posted by: AJStrata at May 31, 2005 04:50 PM
