Stem Cell Research

Tonight I went to the Stem Cell Research Foundation: International event at the Detroit Science Center, and I learned many interesting things about what stem cells are about and what they have to do with what the research is all about.
My dad and Bubbie are both co-chairmen and presidents of the Stem Cell Research Foundation: International. They are very excited about what they are doing, because they can help people in the future. My papa, his dad and her husband were killed from pancreatic cancer 2 years and 2 months ago. This is a motivation for them to help save lives.
What I was wondering was, what do you think about stem cell research, and what are your positions on it?

Editor's Note: An issue surrounding stem cell research is one similar to that surrounding abortion - namely, when does life begin? It is the contention of some believers that life begins at the moment of conception, and that the initial embryonic cells that divide are part of the human living organism - a human soul. The 4-5 day old cells are ones that can be used in stem cell research. President Bush has limited the use of stem cell research to only a few stem cell lines, and that any labs that receive federal money cannot conduct research on other stem cell lines and expect to receive more federal money. The following diseases can possibly be helped by stem cell research:
Alzheimer's disease, Heart disease, Cancer, Spinal cord injuries, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus, Scleroderma, Diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

Links:
National Institute of Health's Stem Cell page: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
Student Society for Stem Cell Research: http://www.ssscr.org/
About.com's site on stem cell research: http://alzheimers.about.com/od/research/a/stem_cell.htm
Stem Cell Research Foundation's FAQ page: http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org/About/FAQ.htm

Follow up: (This is a reply from JJ's dad, Dr. Alan Bittker, about the benefits of stem cell research) -"As you said, we are very excited about our progress with the stem cell foundation. We really believe that the research will make a dramatic impact and improve the medical treatments and cures during the next decade. While some people in the community are hesitant or opposed to support embryonic stem cell research, we were very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive reaction we received following the kickoff event. The 'typical' negative reaction is usually due to the fact that some people believe that every cell – regardless of circumstance – could become a human life. And, because the research is conducted on cells from embryos, they believe a potential life was somehow eliminated.

Our support of this research is based on the fact that scientists, in less than ten years, have been able to create and grow the following from basic stem cells: beating heart tissue, insulin-producing cells, human heart valves and human tissue that reproduces with its own blood supply. Each of these discoveries has the potential to change the face of medicine and offer cures for future generations. Additionally, we are encouraged that nearly 75% of the U.S. population supports this research due to its enormous potential. For all these reasons, we believe we are on the right track and have the momentum needed to raise funds and accelerate this critical research."

We'd like to thank Dr. Bittker for taking the time to work with us on this issue.