Cord blood yields 'ethical' embryonic stem cells

new scientist ^ | 8/18/05 | Andy Coghlan

[rang1995]

Cord blood yields 'ethical' embryonic stem cells 00:01 18 August 2005

Hopes for treating disease with stem cells from umbilical cord blood has received a major boost, following the discovery of primitive cells with clinical potential matching that of the far more controversial embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The latter are originally derived from human fetuses, which are then destroyed, and have become a major ethical issue, especially in the US.

Furthermore, the same team is applying new microgravity technology - originally developed by NASA for the International Space Station - to make large enough quantities of the stem cells to repair tissue damage in patients.

The newly discovered human cells, named “cord-blood-derived embryonic-like stem cells” or CBEs, are not quite as primitive as embryonic stem cells, which can give rise to any tissue type of the body. But they appear to be much more versatile than “adult stem cells” such as those found in bone marrow which repair damaged tissue during life.

“We have found a unique group of cells that bring together the essential qualities of both types of stem cells for the first time,” says Colin McGuckin of Kingston University in Surrey, UK, who co-led the team with colleague Nico Forraz.

In laboratory experiments, the team successfully coaxed CBEs into becoming liver cells. They also showed that the cells have most of the surface “markers” considered as identifiers of embryonic stem cells and form “embryoid bodies” – characteristic clumps of cells formed by ESCs.

Ethically acceptable

[rang1995]

could change everything

[tiredoflaundry]

*ping*

[cripplecreek]

"could change everything"


You would think so but "ethical" is the last thing the pro embryonic stem cell research crowd wants.

[Paleo Conservative]

The newly discovered human cells, named “cord-blood-derived embryonic-like stem cells” or CBEs, are not quite as primitive as embryonic stem cells, which can give rise to any tissue type of the body.

And often give rise to cancer cells.

[KStorm]

You would think so but "ethical" is the last thing the pro embryonic stem cell research crowd wants.

For them, it's the killing that counts.

[Mo1]

The loons on the left won't be happy about this

To get the cord-blood .. the baby has to be born first

[tiredoflaundry]

I know, That's a good thing!

[hocndoc]

You beat me to it. Good thing I did a search. But, as I mentioned in my blog, one of the most important points is that this is Texas research! (Oh, and it does raise the point that those embryonic stem cells are going to have much more of a problem of small volume than even umbical cord blood.) Here's more: Breakthrough in human stem cell research Medical Research News http://www.news-medical.net/print_article.asp?id=12522

[Howlin]

And often give rise to cancer cells.

Got a link that proves that?

[hocndoc]

And often give rise to cancer cells.

And, if given the respect and treatment they deserve - i.e., not "disaggregated" and "explanted", they give rise to a neonate. (Ping to the gang!)

[cpforlife.org]

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

[Siobhan]

BUMP

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[T Minus Four]

The loons on the left won't be happy about this To get the cord-blood .. the baby has to be born first

Yes, but even murdered babies have umbilical cords.

[cgk]

And often give rise to cancer cells.

Got a link that proves that?

---

The other discussion on this same topic here on FR mentions it: Aside from the ethics, embryonic cells have displayed a tendency to produce cancerous tumors called teratomas.

When injected into SCID mice, these cells formed teratomas; tumors containing a mix of differentiated human cell types

Cancer results when cells lose their internal "brakes" and keep dividing when further proliferation is no longer desirable. Researchers must find a delicate balance between fostering the growth of new cells to replenish damaged tissues and making sure that cells don't overgrow and become cancerous.

“‘We’re not against stem-cell research of any kind,’ said [Tulane University research professor Brian] Butcher. ‘But we think there are advantages to using adult stem cells. For example, with embryonic stem cells, a significant number become cancer cells, so the cure could be worse than the disease. And they can be very difficult to grow, while adult stem cells are easy to grow.’” -Heather Heilman, “Great Transformations,” The Tulanian (Spring 2004 issue), at http://www2.tulane.edu/article_news_details.cfm?ArticleID=5155. CD30 and its ligand: possible role in regulation of teratoma stem cells.

[cgk]

Pro-Life/Pro-BABY ping!

More of this discussion: ‘Embryonic-Like’ Cell Discovery Could Affect Ethics Debate

(ADVANCE APOLOGIES: HUGE PIC, but it's an article to read...)...

[dsc]

One word: scanner.

Scanners with bundled OCR software are down to a hundred dollars or less.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[freeangel]

I'm afraid it would never change a thing. The left's agenda is that we become desensitized on the issue of death. Abortion, emryonic stem cell research and euthanasia is what keeps the desensitiztion process ongoing.