Now is an exciting time to be a part of the Pro-Life community. We are experiencing new advances in ethically responsible medical research, as adult stem cells are proving more versatile than many embryonic stem cell research proponents believed was possible. Adult stem cells have even been culled from human skin. We are also awaiting a new Supreme Court nominee from President George W. Bush, as Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has announced her retirement. She was a frequent swing vote on the Supreme Court and her replacement will have a significant impact on the abortion debate.
Please read this issue of the Pro-Life Update carefully to understand some of the challenges we now face and how you--an educated Pro-Lifer--can help advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news. Exciting Adult Stem Cell Discoveries
Pro-Life advocates promote the benefits of adult stem cell research as opposed to destructive embryonic stem cell research. Scientists continue to prove that adult stem cell research is far more effective in treating diseases. New research shows that adult stem cells have the same ability to multiply as embryonic stem cells and that scientists have been able to isolate stem cells from human skin.
Proponents of embryonic stem cell research have claimed that embryonic stem cells are able to multiply much more easily than adult stem cells. Now, however, scientists at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh have discovered that adult stem cells can multiply just as easily.
“Scientists have typically believed that adult or post-natal stem cells grow old and die much sooner than embryonic stem cells, but this study demonstrates that is not the case,” said Dr. Johnny Huard of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. “The entire world is closely following the advances in stem cell research, and everyone is interested in the potential of stem cells to treat everything from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease. But there are also many ethical concerns surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells, concerns that you don’t have with post-natal or adult stem cells. My belief is that this study should erase doubts scientists may have had about the potential effectiveness of post-natal stem cells.”
Additionally, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are reporting that they have isolated stem cells from human skin. They then expanded them in their laboratory and enabled them to become fat, muscle, and bone cells.
“These cells should provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and for organs as well,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. “Because these cells are taken from a patient’s own skin, there would not be problems with organ or tissue rejection.”
Science continues to prove that it is not necessary to destroy innocent human life. Embryonic stem cell research has not been successful in treating any diseases, while adult stem cells have treated more than 58 different medical conditions, ranging from breast cancer to sickle cell anemia. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Retires
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has announced her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court. President Bush has previously stated that he would appoint only strict constructionist judges. The Pro-Life and pro-abortion communities recognize that the next justice appointed will greatly impact the future of abortion in America.
Many of the prominent pro-abortion groups are claiming that the nominee should pledge to uphold Roe v. Wade. According to Carol Tobias, National Right to Life Political Director, “Already, some Democratic senators, such as Ted Kennedy, are clearly demanding a litmus test.”
Also important to note is that, even if Roe v. Wade were overturned, all abortion would not be banned. The pro-abortion Center for Reproductive Rights explained, “A Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade would not by itself make abortion illegal in the United States. Instead, a reversal would remove federal constitutional protection for a woman’s right to choose and give the states the power to set abortion policy.”
Commentators have also been stating that the Supreme Court has been divided 5-4 on Roe v. Wade. However, this is not the case right now; six of the current justices (including Justice O’Connor) support reaffirming Roe v. Wade. The justices are divided 5-4 on the issue of partial-birth abortion, though. In 2003, President Bush signed into law a federal ban on partial-birth abortion, but its enforcement has been blocked by the lower courts in litigation that is headed back up to the Supreme Court. The President’s nominee may very well cast the deciding vote to determine whether this brutal abortion method will remain legal.
