Oct. 4, 2008 - The Science of Stem Cells, Confusion and Media Distortions

As a mom homeschooling a nine year old daughter with Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD--optic nerve blindness/low vision), I am concerned about media confusion and distortions in the area of stem cell research. Readers may not realize that apparently successful stem cell treatments were using adult stem cells, not fetal cells. For instance, stem cell treatments in China for optic nerve hypoplasia involved adult cells, not embryonic cells; and there is NO American ethical controversy involving adult stem cell research. (See sources such as Oregon RTL Media Myths, http://www.ortl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=128 ).

Read more in this article from the Daily News Transcript, about China’s optic nerve hypoplasia stem cell treatment: http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/lifestyle/health_and_environment/x1743974613/Girl-undergoes-stem-cell-treatment-in-China-in-hopes-of-being-able-to-see  .

I plead with the media to clarify statements regarding stem cell treatments, and stress that successful treatments came from umbilical cord blood, which is considered adult stem cells, NOT fetal cells. This is an important distinction. Again, there is no ethical, legal or moral controversy over the use of adult stem cells, which are NOT procured by abortion.

Of course, as a parent of a child with SOD, I am in full agreement that it is too early to use this treatment on humans, without adequate animal testing. I wouldn’t even consider doing this experimental treatment on my child.  I just want to avoid misconceptions; this is NOT a treatment that is being held back due to ethical concerns regarding stem cells. I know of no successful treatment for any disease that uses fetal cells; In addition to ethical concerns, fetal cells tend to grow tumors and cause other problems, making their use not only unethical (because of the callous destruction of human life) but also needlessly dangerous to the recipients. What do you think?