The following Early Day Motion in favour of adult stem cell research, and drawing attention to the empty promises of embryo research, is available in Parliament for MPs to sign. You can see if your MP has signed this EDM by clicking on the link below. If your MP has not yet signed this EDM, you can contact your MP to ask them to sign the motion, which is invaluable in drawing MP’s attention to the prolife position. It’s very easy, all you have to do is click here to submit a message to your MP.
EDM 144 FIRST EVER TRANSPLANT OF COMPLETE ORGAN GROWN FROM ADULT STEM CELLS04.12.2008
Amess, David
That this House notes with regret that the triumph of the first-ever development and transplant of a complete organ, a windpipe, grown in a laboratory from adult stem cells was not announced until after the passing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; further notes that the stem cells were obtained from Claudio Castillo, the patient herself, avoiding any risk of rejection and the life-long need for immuno-suppressant drugs; further notes that the stem cells were sent to the UK and grown in a Bristol University laboratory; further notes that the University is a world centre for excellence in adult stem cell research presently using such techniques in clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis; recalls that in 1990 scientists promoting embryo research made huge promises of treatments which could be achieved, but that all such work has so far proved futile; regrets the departure of adult stem cell pioneer, Professor Colin McGuckin and his team of researchers from the UK to establish the largest adult stem-cell research centre in the world at the University of Lyon; further notes that they attribute their departure to the fact that in the past decade so much Government money has been used for embryo research which has produced nothing, while so little was given to adult stem cell work which in contrast has proved so successful; and calls on the Government to do more to foster research into treatments for desperately ill patients and boost the reputation of UK science.
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January 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Good news about the first ever widepipe transplant and a very neat summary of the prolife position on this. There’s more sense in that one EDM than in many media reports about stem cell research which frequently fail to state that adult stem cells even exist and that the prolife position is strongly in favour of ethical alternatives and that these alternatives are in fact far ahead of embryo research.
I have contacted my MP. Thanks for the link.