A private company that specializes in life-destroying embryonic stem-cell research has discovered something that could help diabetics – but the breakthrough was made using nonembryonic stem cells.
In an astounding statement, Michael Cohen, CEO of National Stem Cell Holding said, “By deriving these novel biomaterials from non-embryonic stem cells … we believe we can avoid the costly and time-consuming procedures that plague therapies developed from embryonic stem cells.”
The new technique uses cells derived from umbilical-cord blood.
John Kilner, president of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, said the science is driving scientists to ethical solutions.
“There appear to be a number of different types of cells in the human body that have the same kind of flexibility as so-called embryonic stem cells," he told Family News in Focus. “Embryonic stem-cell research is so problematic compared to adult stem-cell research.”
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics at Focus on the Family Action, said the same fact can be deduced by following the money invested in the research. As a general rule, venture capitalists are not going to put their money in something that does not promise a good return.
“As researchers work with the embryonic stem cells, they find the non-embryonic are actually more helpful,” she explained. “While states have looked at funding embryonic stem-cell research, the folks with the deep pockets don’t see it as a good investment.”
