Does Any One Know.....(Embryonic Stem Cell Research)

[Tonks40]

Does anyone know if the Alzheimer’s Association supports embryonic stem cell research? I have a dilemma re: this organization in that I’m involved in a fundraising effort for them. I’ve been on the Life Issues.org site to see if they were on the list and they aren’t. The organization’s site has a link to their stance on human stem cell research, but it’s ambiguous at best.

Should I continue to support this organization through my groups’ fundraising efforts???

 

[ribozyme]

Does anyone know if the Alzheimer’s Association supports embryonic stem cell research? I have a dilemma re: this organization in that I’m involved in a fundraising effort for them. I’ve been on the Life Issues.org site to see if they were on the list and they aren’t. The organization’s site has a link to their stance on human stem cell research, but it’s ambiguous at best.

Should I continue to support this organization through my groups’ fundraising efforts???

“Human stem cell reseach” is quite ambiguous. I understand this as there does not seem to be any promising treatment on the horizon for that treatment of this devastating disease. Maybe adult stem cells will suffice, I do not know.

I believe you still have to respect their caution as they are NOT promoting stem cell research as a panacea. Instead, they encourage a further investigation on this disease so we could evaluate the efficacy of stem cell treatments (assuming that they will affect the progression of the disease.)

Stem cell research is a nascent science though, so they are prudent on their stand on that issue.

But if you my guess, I would say they support embryonic stem cell research if they believe it is the ONLY way to effectively combat (and perhaps reverse or cure this destructive malady).

 

[Tonks40]

But if you my guess, I would say they support embryonic stem cell research if they believe it is the ONLY way to effectively combat (and perhaps reverse or cure this destructive malady).

Yes, there doesn’t seem to be any definitive statement on their stance on this. Maybe I should take some comfort in knowing that it’s not a primary focus for them in regards to research, unlike some other organizations have touted.

 

[Rosalinda]

Tonks40 has asked:
[sign]Does anyone know if the Alzheimer’s Association supports embryonic stem cell research?[/sign]

**Here is a list of Organizations and Entities that support Federal funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. **
The following are all members of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.
**The **Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) is comprised of universities, scientific societies, patients’ organizations, and other entities that are devoted to ensuring that federal funding will be available for stem cell research using fertilized eggs developed for in vitro fertilization and that the current federal guidelines overseeing the research are retained. (all info taken directly from the CAMR web page) …American Parkinson Disease Association

lifeissues.org/cloningstemcell/embryo.html

 

[Rosalinda]

**“The most recent scientific evidence shows the use of human embryos for therapeutic stem cell research to be ineffective and unnecessary.” **
*- Dr. Fazale Rana, one of the world’s top three leading experts in origin of life research. *(Biographical information)
"I just think everybody feels there are higher priorities for seeking effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and for identifying preventive strategies."
*- Marilyn Albert, John Hopkins University researcher, Chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the Alzheimer’s Association *(Biographical information)
"Alzheimer’s is a more global disease, with an effect on numerous kinds of cells. That makes it much more difficult for a cell therapy to be effective."
- Steve Stice, stem cell researcher at the University of Georgia

lifeissues.org/cloningstemcell/sloppyscience.htm

 

[ribozyme]

Dr. Fazale Rana, one of the world’s top three leading experts in origin of life research

I could guarantee you that is a false statement. I say that Robert Shapiro, Leslie Orgel, and Gerald Joyce have more expertise in that field that Dr. Rana.

 

[Rosalinda]

Ribozyme,
I am sure there are a lot of people who think they are the world’s leading experts. The point is Dr. Rana is a qualified biochemist and his interest is to clearly communicate to the public facts about embryonic stem cells which have been glossed over if acknowledged at all in the media. (Personally, the creation debate bores me.)

Researchers have known for some time that when implanted into tissues, ESCs tend to form tumors. Recent research further accentuates this problem. It shows that over time ESCs accumulate mutations commonly observed in human cancers.
Another problem confronts ESC technology¾rejection. Most people know that during organ transplant procedures, if the donor and recipient are not compatible the recipient’s body rejects the organ. Few people realize, however, that the same incompatibility problems apply to ESCs. It’s almost certain that the recipient’s body will treat incompatible ESCs as foreign material and reject the cells before they can deliver any benefit. In the face of these serious risks, it makes little sense for the biomedical research community to pursue ESCR, particularly since so many other concerns, especially ethical concerns, surround this technology.

reasons.org/resources/connections/200511_staying_connected/index.shtml#bringing_stem_cell_research_into_focus

Tonks wanted to know if the Alzheimer’s Association. supports hESc research and the answer is most definitely yes.

 

[Rosalinda]

This article "Adult Stem Cell Success Stories -2006" from Stem Cell Research had a few interesting statements from experts too who don’t see much promise for stem cells curing Alzheimers either. Dr. David Prentice has carefully documented all his quotes so anyone so inclined may double-check the veracity of these statements.

…Countless celebrity and media advocates have included Alzheimer’s disease in the list of diseases and conditions that they claim would be cured were federal funding of embryonic stem cell research increased. However, according to many expert scientists in the field of Alzheimer’s research, if a cure is obtained for Alzheimer’s disease, it is unlikely to come from embryonic stem cells. “I think the chances of doing repairs to Alzheimer’s brains by putting in stem cells is small,” said stem cell researcher Michael Shelanski, co-director of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center in New York: “I personally think that we’re going to get other therapies for Alzheimer’s a lot sooner.”9 Since Alzheimer’s affects the entire brain, the best hope is through chemical treatments, not stem cells.

Ronald D.G. McKay, a stem cell researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, explained the hype about embryonic stem cells: “People need a fairy tale … Maybe that’s unfair, but they need a story line that’s relatively simple to understand."
10

stemcellresearch.org/testimony/SuccessStories2006.pdf

 

[gradstud35]

The list posted on the forum only post association that supports federal funding. If you are raising private donations, it is very possible that the money could be going to embryonic stem cell research. It is very hard to find out where private donations are going especially if there is research involved.

I was misdiagnosed with a rare neurological disorder for three years. During that time, I got on a support group list. The Association was constantly raising money for the “cause”. But we also got to see where the money went. Because it was such a rare disease and only one organization controlled the private funding, we could see in the newsletter were all the grants were going. And the last two years, they did support grants for embryonic stem cell research–because it was a neurological disease and there has been so much propaganda out there that esc are the “miracle cure all” for people with neuro disorders.

So unless you specifically know where the money is going, I’d be very wary. Our local chapter of the ALS society did a fundraiser a couple of months ago and they specifically said the funds where going to help victims with medical costs such as computerized wheelchairs, home health equipment, etc.