Deacon Keith Fournier discusses adult stem cell research at Catholic.org:
"VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - On Thursday April 11, 2013 an
extraordinarily important conference began with the enthusiastic
approval of the Vatican. The topic is stem cell research and
regenerative medicine. In fact, the conference is entitled Regenerative
medicine: A Fundamental Shift in Science and Culture and you can read
much more about it here.
The conference continues through Saturday, April 13, 2013 and is hosted
by the Pontifical Council for Culture, STOQ International, NeoStem and
the Stem for Life Foundation. The conference brings together medical
researchers, politicians, Church leaders, scholars, scientists and
students to educate the world and promote ongoing work in the use of
adult stem cells."
He lists some of the many examples of stem cell breakthroughs, which he correctly points out are often mentioned in the press in a way that does not clarify they are adult stem cells:
"Back in May of 2011 Scientists from the Schepens Eye Research Institute in
Boston, Massachusetts announced the they used stem cells which they
derived from ADULT skin to re-grow areas of the retina and improve
vision. Chinese researchers announced they have taken stem cells derived
from ADULT skin and prompted them to become liver cells, thereby
restoring a liver in a laboratory animal. That same month and year, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that
scientists discovered that adults have stem cells within their lungs
which are capable of being used to regenerate damaged lungs. They found
"undifferentiated human lung stem cells nested in niches in the distal
airways. These cells are self-renewing, clonogenic, and multipotent in
vitro."
...
"In 2011 the first of these conferences supporting, promoting and endorsing was held in Vatican City. It was entitled Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture
It was sponsored by the same alliance including the Vatican. When it
concluded Pope Benedict XVI made this observation: "the potential
benefits of adult stem cell research are very considerable, since it
opens up possibilities for healing chronic degenerative illnesses by
repairing damaged tissue and restoring its capacity for regeneration.
The improvement that such therapies promise would constitute a
significant step forward in medical science, bringing fresh hope to
sufferers and their families alike. For this reason, the Church
naturally offers her encouragement to those who are engaged in
conducting and supporting research of this kind, always with the proviso
that it be carried out with due regard for the integral good of the
human person and the common good of society."
No comments:
Post a Comment