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Illinois Federation

For Right to Life

Daily News

Monday, November 24, 2008

Medical Breakthrough Further Validates Support for Adult Stem Cell Research

 

Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said today that reports on the successful transplant of a windpipe grown from a patient's own stem cells demonstrate the need for public and, perhaps, media education on stem cell research.

 

"It's striking to me that almost every time I read about a new medical breakthrough using stem cells, I have to search well into the story before there's mention that the stem cells were derived from adult humans or umbilical cords, not embryos," said Dr. King.  "Based on the news coverage of stem cell research I've read, it's no surprise that the public, including some news reporters, are confused about stem cell experimentation."

 

"Stem cell research using cells taken from adults or umbilical cords has resulted in over 70 successful medical treatments, the latest being an organ transplant," added Dr. King.  "Years of stem cell research using techniques that kill embryonic humans have led to nothing but dead ends because of tissue rejection and tumor growth.  Absolutely all of the medical breakthroughs in stem cell research have come from using cells derived from sources other than human embryos.  How many people know this?  Further, how many people know that the pro-life movement has always endorsed this type of non-deadly stem cell research?"

 

"I respectfully call on the news media to accurately and truthfully distinguish between adult/umbilical stem cell research and embryonic stem cell experiments," concluded Dr. King.  "I also hope that the media will make clear that the pro-life movement enthusiastically supports stem cell research that does no harm to anyone, research that continues to blaze a path of new cures and treatments almost daily."

 

Contact: Jerry Horn

Source: Priests for Life

Source URL: http://www.priestsforlife.org

Publish Date: November 24, 2008

Link to this article:

http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/081124_1.htm

 

 

The IFRL is the largest grassroots pro-life organization in Illinois. A non-profit organization, that serves as the state coordinating body for local pro-life chapters representing thousands of Illinois citizens working to restore respect for all human life in our society. The IFRL is composed of people of different political persuasions, various faiths and diverse economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. Since 1973 the Illinois Federation for Right to Life has been working to end abortion and restore legal protection to those members of the human family who are threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. Diverse though we are, we hold one common belief - that every human being has an inalienable right to life that is precious and must be protected. IFRL is dedicated to restoring the right to life to the unborn, and protection for the disabled and the elderly.   Click here to learn more about the IFRL.