Sunday, February 15, 2009

Stem Cell Ban To Be Lifted Soon

Obama To Lift Stem Cell Ban Soon - Will Funding Still Be Available?

Addressing the issue of lifting
the ban on use of embryonic
stem cells in research, a senior
advisor to President Obama
said on Fox News Sunday
"We're going to be doing something on that soon, I think.
The President is considering that right now."

Obama advisor David Axelrod said President Obama will soon issue an executive order lifting an eight-year ban on embryonic stem cell research imposed by his predecessor, President George W Bush.

In 2001 Bush banned the use of any embryonic stem cells lines which didn't already exist in an attempt to placate his right wing Christian fundamentalist backers who had played an important role in his election to the presidency.

Rather than making use of existing embryos slated for destruction by fertility clinics, Bush announced that those soon-to-be discarded embryos were not to be used for spare parts in a public crawling baby dog and pony show to the applause of some and the horror of many. While private parties struggled to raise research funds, Congress hustled to enact and pass corrective legislation only to be vetoed.

Embryonic stem cells are the master cell of the body; they can be made into any other kind of tissue. Instead of funding at a time when it would have been possible and encouraging embryonic stem cell research, former President Bush's policies caused research labs to waste their valuable time and limited monies keeping separate accounts of approved and unapproved stem cells. In the research equivalent of keeping kosher, universities had to establish and maintain separate facilities and funding sources.

Many researchers have long felt that learning to understand embryonic stem cells will bring us to the cures for many chronic neuromuscular and auto-immune diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS, type I Diabetes, Guillain Barre' and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Since President Obama took office sufferers and advocates of these diseases have been hoping and waiting for this pending executive order. Hoping for an end to Bush's anti-intellectualism and waiting for the President to complete the economic stimulus plan.


Sources:
15 Feb. 2009, Fox Sunday News
15 Feb 2009, Reuters, Alan Elsner

2 comments:

  1. Yesterday I read in the BBC News about British researchers developing an early detection for PD. It sounded great until I got to the part where the device they were using was a particle accelerator the size of five soccer fields. I'm sure you've seen the article, but I'll include the link.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7890040.stm

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello,
    Your blog always has the most current information about Parkinson's in the news, as well as great tips for those living with the disease. I'm sure there are many Parkinson's caregivers reading your blog, as well. There is a website which offers 10 Tips for Caregivers. It features Parkinson's caregiver Carol McLain, who is a registered nurse. If you would like to pass this information along to your readers, you can find the tips at http://www.parkinsonsbodymind.com/10tips.php

    Thanks so much for informing the Parkinson's community!

    ReplyDelete

Welcome to Parkinsons Focus Today.
We are delighted to hear from you by comment here
or through email as found in Contact Us.

Please do not include email addresses if leaving a comment online.
Email addresses are used only for email responses.

Spammers take note: your messages will not be published. The comments section is for an exchange of ideas, not for backlinks.