Are there ethical alternatives to human cloning and embryonic stem cell research?
Yes. As discussed in another FAQ, adult stem cells and other kinds of stem cells that do not require destroying human life have proven to be successful in treating or curing 65 different diseases in human patients (www.stemcellresearch.org)
In fact, the University of Kentucky believes strongly in the value of adult stem cell research and invests significant resources into the field. (http://www.rgs.uky.edu/odyssey/spring05/stemcells.html)
From a December 12th, 2005 News Release of the University of Louisville: (http://www.browncancercenter.org/news/news_ind.aspx?id=157)
"In a discovery that has the potential to change the face of stem cell research, a University of Louisville scientist has identified cells in the adult body that seem to behave like embryonic stem cells."
"A study by Ratajczak’s team published last year in the journal “Leukemia” was the first to identify a type of stem cell in adult bone marrow that acts differently than other marrow stem cells. The newly-identified cells, called “very small embryonic-like” (VSEL) stem cells, have the same structure and protein markers as embryonic stem cells."
"Ratajczak’s team also has grown VSEL cells in a lab and has stimulated them to change into nerve, heart and pancreas cells. If other scientists can duplicate the process on a larger scale, it could reduce the need for embryonic stem cells in research and eliminate rejection problems associated with using stem cells from an outside donor." (emphasis added).
