Recently in Cancer Category
As a hockey player, the challenge for Todd Bischoff was to race down the ice and shoot at the goal. These days, just tying his shoes can be a challenge. That's because at 47, Bischoff has young-onset Parkinson's disease. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. The only thing this Ontario resident knows for sure: "Eventually, I'll become a prisoner in my own body."
But there is hope: Parkinson's mysteries might be unlocked through embryonic stem cell research. This research holds great promise because embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell in the body.
Research could one day open the door to treatments or cures for Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer and spinal-cord injuries. But today, our stem cell researchers are handcuffed by an unworkable policy. It is time to change this.
<a href="http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinions/ci_5408614">Unlocking stem cells' promise</a> (dailybulletin.com)
But there is hope: Parkinson's mysteries might be unlocked through embryonic stem cell research. This research holds great promise because embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell in the body.
Research could one day open the door to treatments or cures for Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer and spinal-cord injuries. But today, our stem cell researchers are handcuffed by an unworkable policy. It is time to change this.
<a href="http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinions/ci_5408614">Unlocking stem cells' promise</a> (dailybulletin.com)
Second, I find it difficult to think that a three-billion-dollar voter-approved cancer initiative could be accomplished without concessions that allow for stem cell research. The Star-Telegram touches on that a tad:
Efforts to expand cancer research funding in Texas, where Republicans control every statewide office and both houses of the Legislature, haven’t included discussions about embryonic stem cell research, said state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland.
I find that almost unbelievable. Perhaps they haven’t discussed that because it could tear apart the entire package before anyone gets a chance to wrap it, much less top it with a bow.
Face it: Texas Republicans aren’t New York or California Republicans. The vast majority of Republicans in the Legislature will not cotton to a penny for stem cell research in such a bold measure even if John Sharp and Lance Armstrong (two people involved in the measure) danced a tango down Congress Avenue.
The often nutty manifesto that is the Republican Party of Texas Platform has some very strong language about stem cell research:
Conscience Clause - We believe that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, any employees of hospitals and insurance companies, health care organizations, medical and scientific research students, and any employee should be protected by Texas law if they conscientiously object to participate in practices that conflict with their moral or religious beliefs, including but not limited to abortion, the prescription for and dispensing of drugs with abortifacient potential, human
cloning, embryonic stem cell research, eugenic screenings, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration. We call on the Texas Legislature to pass legislation to strengthen and clarify the current conscience clause in the Occupational Code to include the above-mentioned persons and practices.
Fetal Tissue Harvesting - We support legislation prohibiting experimentation with human fetal tissue and prohibiting the use of human fetal tissue or organs for experimentation or commercial sale. Until such time that fetal tissue harvesting is illegal, any product containing fetal tissue shall be so labeled.
Stem Cell Research - We commend the President for banning most government funding of human embryo stem cell harvesting. We oppose any legislation that would allow for the creation and/or killing of human embryos for medical research. We encourage stem cell research using cells from umbilical cords, from adults, and from any other means which does not kill human embryos. We oppose any state funding of research that destroys/kills human embryos. We encourage the adoption of existing embryos. We call for legislation to withhold state and/or federal funding from institutions that engage in scientific research involving the killing of human embryos or human cloning.
While I don’t think we’ll see any embryo adoption agencies sprouting up soon, I do think that many in the Lege will adhere to the language in the platform lest they offend the far right and end up with a primary opponent.
<a href="http://capitolannex.com/2007/01/21/cancer-the-legislature-assaults-on-the-disease-from-two-fronts-face-similar-obstacles/">Cancer & The Legislature: Assaults On The Disease From Two Fronts Face Similar Obstacles</a> (capitolannex.com)
Efforts to expand cancer research funding in Texas, where Republicans control every statewide office and both houses of the Legislature, haven’t included discussions about embryonic stem cell research, said state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland.
I find that almost unbelievable. Perhaps they haven’t discussed that because it could tear apart the entire package before anyone gets a chance to wrap it, much less top it with a bow.
Face it: Texas Republicans aren’t New York or California Republicans. The vast majority of Republicans in the Legislature will not cotton to a penny for stem cell research in such a bold measure even if John Sharp and Lance Armstrong (two people involved in the measure) danced a tango down Congress Avenue.
The often nutty manifesto that is the Republican Party of Texas Platform has some very strong language about stem cell research:
Conscience Clause - We believe that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, any employees of hospitals and insurance companies, health care organizations, medical and scientific research students, and any employee should be protected by Texas law if they conscientiously object to participate in practices that conflict with their moral or religious beliefs, including but not limited to abortion, the prescription for and dispensing of drugs with abortifacient potential, human
cloning, embryonic stem cell research, eugenic screenings, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration. We call on the Texas Legislature to pass legislation to strengthen and clarify the current conscience clause in the Occupational Code to include the above-mentioned persons and practices.
Fetal Tissue Harvesting - We support legislation prohibiting experimentation with human fetal tissue and prohibiting the use of human fetal tissue or organs for experimentation or commercial sale. Until such time that fetal tissue harvesting is illegal, any product containing fetal tissue shall be so labeled.
Stem Cell Research - We commend the President for banning most government funding of human embryo stem cell harvesting. We oppose any legislation that would allow for the creation and/or killing of human embryos for medical research. We encourage stem cell research using cells from umbilical cords, from adults, and from any other means which does not kill human embryos. We oppose any state funding of research that destroys/kills human embryos. We encourage the adoption of existing embryos. We call for legislation to withhold state and/or federal funding from institutions that engage in scientific research involving the killing of human embryos or human cloning.
While I don’t think we’ll see any embryo adoption agencies sprouting up soon, I do think that many in the Lege will adhere to the language in the platform lest they offend the far right and end up with a primary opponent.
<a href="http://capitolannex.com/2007/01/21/cancer-the-legislature-assaults-on-the-disease-from-two-fronts-face-similar-obstacles/">Cancer & The Legislature: Assaults On The Disease From Two Fronts Face Similar Obstacles</a> (capitolannex.com)
