Based on all the hostile remarks, snide comments and plain old derision heaped on President Bush because of his position on embryonic stem cell research, you’d think Scrooge’s partner Bob Marley was a saint by comparison. Yet truth be told, his position is well reasoned, based upon scientific evidence. Yes, I really did just say that and further more, I believe it as well.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are marvelously mysterious in that they appear to have the ability to become any type of cell the body needs.  By comparison, adult stem (ASCs) are found in and around particular tissues and appear to be limited in some manner to replicating only those types and or classes of cells contained in the tissue wherein they are found.  In theory, because ESCs are not limited, their potential should be greater than the type of class limited ASCs. However, in practice ESCs are substantially more likely to be rejected by their host, cause auto-immune problems and other severe negative side effects. Consequently no one has found a beneficial use or application for ESCs whereas many beneficial and successful applications have been developed utilizing ASCs!

So why don’t proponents of ESC research ever acknowledge this  very important detail?  Truthfully I can’t answer that question; but I think the problem may arise with the media because doing so is inconvenient to their point of view, and it may arise with ESC researchers because it is inconsistent with their goal to increase research contributions and it may arise with some people simply because they detest President Bush! 

Note to Bill Maher: You could learn a lot from President Bush if you’d only open your ears and listen instead of ridiculing him all the time!

 

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