[UPDATE 11-07-06: On
my YouTube page, I've been discussing in the comments the pluripotency of adult stem cells. My opponents have claimed that pluripotency is unique to embryonic stem cells only. Following are only 3 of 16 scientific studies that have shown adult stem cells (NON-embryonic) are good to go when it comes to "pluripotency" (the ability for a cell to reproduce with "non-differentiation," or the ability to take on characteristics of virtually ANY other cell.)
Take a gander!* Researchers in Kansas demonstrated that stem cells from the umbilical cord express pluripotency genes Oct-4, Sox-2, and nanog and show properties of “primitive pluripotent stem cells.” Carlin R et al., Expression of early transcription factors Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog by procine umbilical cord (PUC) matrix cells, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 4:8, doi:10.1186/1477-7827-4-8, 6 February 2006.
* Scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School have verified that umbilical cord blood stem cells express pluripotency genes Oct-4, Sox-2, and can repair neurological damage. Xiao J et al., Transplantation of a novel cell line population of umbilical cord blood stem cells ameliorates neurological deficits associated with ischemic brain injury, Stem Cells and Development 14, 722-733, December 2005.
* Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh demonstrated that placental stem cells express pluripotency genes Oct-4, nanog; and can potentially can form any tissue, with no signs of tumor formation. Miki T et al., “Stem cell characteristics of amniotic epithelial cells,” Stem Cells 23, 1549-1559, November 2005 (online 4 August 2005).
That means the big business funding that urges Missourians to vote yes on Amendment 2 is just that... big business funding! And it's
based on LIES.}
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Presenting... the
National Institute of Health to explain to you where stem cells come from! (http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.asp)
Where do stem cells come from?
Pluripotent stem cells are isolated from human embryos that are a few days old. Cells from these embryos can be used to create pluripotent stem cell "lines" —cell cultures that can be grown indefinitely in the laboratory. Pluripotent stem cell lines have also been developed from fetal tissue obtained from fetal tissue (older than 8 weeks of development).
Stem Cell Research is on the move (thanks to non-murderous practices such as harvesting useable, proven stem cells from umbilical cord blood and placental tissue)! However, there is a very "dark side" to that industry. Read "fetal farming" - . ...if you care about the rights of defenseless human beings.
These prominent scientists, medical doctors and lawyers
say VOTE NO - it's cloning!
If only Michael J. Fox would listen to James Kelly! Himself a paralytic from a car accident, James Kelly, director of Cures1st Foundation,
weighs in heavily AGAINST amending the constitution for tax-grabbing big businesses who want to DELAY PROMISING RESEARCH in lieu of getting paid to disect 2-day old fetuses.
Vote NO MO CLONING! (vlog87) (17 megs, 4.5 minutes)
