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Stem Cell News
Public Confused About Adult and Embryonic Stem
Cells
By Stephen Hayford, Times Union, June 1, 2007
In a letter published on May 22nd, a man named Greg
equated embryonic stem cell research and adult stem
cell research. The difference could not be more
apparent and thus a correction is in order.
Few news stories today present the two types
accordingly and instead fail to distinguish the
significant differences between the two. It is crucial
to understand the difference and the media has perhaps
contributed to the confusion today.
The most important distinction to make is that
unlike embryonic stem cell treatment, adult stem cell
treatment is effective. As a result of adult stem cell
research, more than 70 existing medical treatments
have been developed. Even one simple treatment has yet
to be yielded as a result of embryonic stem cell
research.
Contrary to the comments made in Greg's letter, the
statement "great future potential" can be
tied exclusively to adult stem cell research, not
embryonic.
The second important point to make note of is the
ethical nature of adult stem cells. Without causing
harm to anyone, the placenta at birth, umbilical cord
blood, and other types of non-embryonic tissue, are
all sources of adult stem cells. However, without
destroying human embryos, embryonic stem cells cannot
be obtained.
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