What is it to be human?
March 16, 2009
Without a doubt the recent lifting of restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research by President Obama has rekindled the debate on the moral and ethical implications of this research. Newscasts, radio call in shows, internet news sites and blogs have been alight with feverish debate. I certainly welcome this debate. As a scientist and a community member I am eager to hear people express their opinions, engage in healthy debate, and hopefully come to a consensus that can be accepted by the majority of people.
Thoughts On The Reversed Stem Cell Restrictions
March 12, 2009
On Monday, President Obama reversed the restrictions on the federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. This is a giant leap forward for not only stem cell research in the US, but will also accelerate stem cell research worldwide.
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An Open Letter to House Republican Leader John Boehner
March 11, 2009
Wednesday March 11, 2009.
Dear House Republican Leader John Boehner,
I am writing in response to your public statement released March 9th, 2009 regarding President Obama’s decision to reverse the limits on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Specifically your comments:
“The president has rolled back important protections for innocent life […], I am hopeful that the president will re-evaluate this and other controversial decisions that put government at odds with the sanctity of human life […]Congress and the Administration should support bipartisan solutions like Rep. Randy Forbes’ Patients First Act, which would promote stem cell research that is actually getting results.”
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President Obama to lift ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research
March 6, 2009
Great news today! From The Washingston Post:
President Obama is planning to sign an executive order on Monday rolling back restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, according to sources close to the issue.
Although the exact wording of the order has not been revealed, the White House plans an 11 a.m. ceremony to sign the order repealing one of the most controversial steps taken by his predecessor, fulfilling one of Obama’s eagerly anticipated campaign promises
For the rest of this article, please see here.
Stem Cell Breakthrough: Toronto reprograms by jumping genes in and out
March 2, 2009
Toronto stem cell researchers have now, for the first time, devised a way to reprogram somatic cells from human back to a pluripotent-like state termed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells without the use of harmful viruses. I have blogged about the incredible feat of iPS cells recently as the scientific journal Science has named it “Breakthrough of the year”. These iPS cells are thought to hold the same regenerative potential as human embryonic stem cells but with additional advantages as it side steps the ethical issues related to the use of human embryos. Therefore, scientists now have a way of making patient-specific stem cells for uses such as disease modeling, drug screening, and hopefully one day, cell replacement therapy.
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Rett Syndrome and induced Pluripotent Stem cells goes “Green”
June 17, 2009 by Aaron Cheung
Stem cell researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have now devised a method, reported in the scientific journal Nature Methods, that will facilitate the generation of induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells. I have previously blogged about the promise of iPS cells (see related articles). iPS cells are cells which have been reprogrammed from a differentiated somatic cell (such as your skin cells) to a pluripotent stem cell (like an embryonic stem cell, only that you don’t need to use embryos!). The generation of iPS cells is inherently very rare which occurs at a frequency of about 0.01% meaning you can generate about one iPS cell line out of hundred thousand cells. Out of which, many lines fail to satisfy the different rigorous tests necessary to be given the prestigious name of “iPS cell”.
Continue reading Rett Syndrome and induced Pluripotent Stem cells goes “Green”
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