Archive for Sunday, December 16, 2007
Stem cell battle likely to rage on
Research breakthrough not expected to be the last word in Kansas
December 16, 2007
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Topeka — A recent breakthrough in stem cell research has been hailed by some as the end of a contentious debate over using embryos in research.
But in Kansas, that fight is expected to continue.
State Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, said he still thinks it is appropriate to push the Legislature to outlaw use of tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research "as a matter of principle."
In a recent discovery, scientists have found they can make ordinary skin cells turn into other types of cells, a process they hope can be refined to some day be used to treat diseases and repair damaged organs.
Kinzer and others who oppose embryonic stem cell research praised the new finding.
Those groups - Kansans for Life, Concerned Women for America, Cures Without Cloning of Kansas and Missouri, and Do No Harm - say the new research means there is now no reason to destroy embryos to extract cells.
But the Kansas Coalition for Lifesaving Cures says the new discovery exemplifies the need to allow scientists to conduct research.
"Keep in mind that all of the recent discoveries resulting in reprogrammed cells depended entirely on previous embryonic stem cell research," said Brad Kemp, director of the coalition.
Kemp said this underscores that "the scientific community should be allowed to aggressively pursue every legal and ethical avenue available to unlock the mystery of disease, including SCNT."
SCNT refers to somatic cell nuclear transfer. The SCNT process transplants DNA into an unfertilized egg to grow stem cells, which are primitive cells that can develop into other types of cells under certain conditions.
Officials with the Kansas University Medical Center have said banning SCNT would adversely affect research in Kansas. This year, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo., suspended plans for a major expansion after conservative Missouri legislators stripped funding for prominent life sciences projects. Officials there said they were having trouble attracting researchers to Stowers because of the "persistent negative political climate."
But supporters of the proposed ban, including anti-abortion groups, said the SCNT process is immoral because it destroys a human life once the stem cells are taken out.
More like this
- Proposal to ban human cloning proves divisive 2 comments / February 13, 2007
- KU scientists hope bill passes, increasing funds 5 comments / January 12, 2007
- Kansas may push for stem cell amendment 104 comments / November 10, 2006
- Researcher says stem cell debate not over 2 comments / October 20, 2005
- Reverend's stem cell support is personal 25 comments / December 25, 2005
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16 December 2007
at 2:55 a.m.
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Kropotkin (Anonymous) says…
We certainly should our advice about science and medicine from Rep. Kinzer, a person who thinks the world is 6,000 years old.
16 December 2007
at 8:16 a.m.
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Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
Welcome to the middle ages, compliments of the Republican party; will we also dance in the fields and sacrifice the yearly messiah to make the crops grow this spring?
16 December 2007
at 8:51 a.m.
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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…
Kansas is locked into the 17th century thanks to nuts running around in a frenzy taking up an anti-progress stance on every issue.
The stench of their own dark guilt pollutes every aspect of Kansas politics.
Idiots…
16 December 2007
at 9:06 a.m.
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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…
What's the matter with Kansas?
16 December 2007
at 9:10 a.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
The right wing christian conservatives. As long as they control the legislature, we will be a backward joke to rest of country and world.
16 December 2007
at 11:42 a.m.
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sfjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
I dont want my children to die of the same diseases as their great grandparents did.
16 December 2007
at noon
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sinedie (Anonymous) says…
It is more important for us to abide by Lance Kinzer's morality than try to find cures for people suffering from debilitating diseases.
You know when Kinzer will begin singing a different tune? When he's diagnosed with one of them.
It is apparently too much to ask for empathy and thoughtful deliberation from this lot. Who needs science when Jesus can fix you?
16 December 2007
at 3:27 p.m.
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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
Of course, those who are pro-abortion are going to be in favor of destroying nascent human life for research purposes. That does not make it morally acceptable. In fact, high praise is deserving for those who are fighting to protect human embryos from destruction in the name of research.
17 December 2007
at 2:10 p.m.
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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…
I want a clone of my own.
Gettin' old and need the spare parts.
17 December 2007
at 2:59 p.m.
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pace (Anonymous) says…
maybe we should try to elect from a political party rather than from a religious cult. Remember if you don't vote you might have to wear a hair shirt.
17 December 2007
at 3:25 p.m.
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ksdivakat (Anonymous) says…
logicsound04..do you know “how” they extract the stem cells from the embryo?? Its not a pretty procedure, and the point that the supposed “The right wing christian conservatives” are trying to make is this, if we allow embryonic stem cell to carry forward, then there will no doubt be women who go out and get pregnant for the sake of “selling” their embryos for a price. Thats not anything that we want to get into, and trust me, regardless of how you feel about christians, this is not a great thing. Now stem cell research in itself is fine with me, I have no problem with it, in fact the top scientist who research this have said that adult stem cells work just as good as embryo cells do, so if thats the case, then whats the prob? By the way, they extract the stem cells from the base of the embryos neck.
17 December 2007
at 6:49 p.m.
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cap10_insano (Anonymous) says…
Stem cells aren't the problem. The problem is with embryonic stem cells. Killing babies to give Marty McFly a couple more years isn't a good trade. Marty can take his Deloreon to the future and bring back a cure. Why sacrifice another baby on the alter of progressivism.