From the American Thinker
The Unconscionable Claims of Michael J. Fox
October 25th, 2006
The popular and appealing actor Michael J. Fox has taken to the airwaves in Senate battleground states Missouri, Maryland, and New Jersey with a highly misleading ad urging defeat of Republican Senatorial candidates opposing the use of taxpayer dollars to fund new embryonic stem cell line research. He states,
“Stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s…. But George Bush and Michael Steele would put limits on the most promising stem cell research.”
Mr. Fox and his ads’ sponsors are guilty of conflating embryonic stem cell research, which the GOP candidates and many Americans oppose for destroying a human life in the name of curing other people’s diseases, with stem cell research in general, which includes adult stem cell research and umbilical cord blood stem cell research.
The only limits in question are on federal funding of new embryonic stem cell lines, requiring the sacrifice of new embryos. Private and state-funded research (California voters are spending six billion dollars borrowing money to fund this) is ongoing. The implicit claim that research based on new embryos is “the most promising” is absurd, completely unsupported by the scientific literature, and an insult to voters, based as it is on the assumption that they are incapable of understanding the issue. Too stupid to tell the difference, is the elitist assumption underlying this campaign.
Flim-flam is a charitable description. Why would federally-funded research be more promising than state- and privately-funded research? And on what possible basis can the claim be made that embryonic stem cell research is more promising than adult stem cell research?
The plain fact is that embryonic stem cell research is proving to be a bust. There are currently 72 therapies showing human benefits using adult stem cells and zero using embryonic stem cells. Scientifically-minded readers can review this medical journal article on the status of adult stem cell research. Adult stem cell therapies are already being advertised and promoted while no such treatments are even remotely in prospect for embryonic stem cell research.
The fact is that adult stem cells have already produced remarkable cures, whereas embryonic stem cells have failed. This should come as no great surprise to anyone with a background in high school biology. When an embryo is created by the union of the sperm and egg, the cells begin to divide, creating embryonic stem cells from which all future tissues and organs are derived. Within days, the embryonic cells differentiate into three cell layers – ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Cells in these layers continue to differentiate into tissues and organs. As the embryo matures into a fetus, child, and adult, some undifferentiated cells of the three types remain in various tissues such as bone marrow, fat, skin and olfactory tissue.
These adult stem cells are multipotent: they have the ability to turn into a variety of types of tissues. Successful stem cell therapies cause the DNA in the adult stem cells to further differentiate into more specific types of cells. There is no point in getting the adult stem cell to turn into a less differentiated type of cell, or using the more primitive embryonic stem cells. This would be going backward, in the opposite direction of providing a clinically useful therapy. Difficulties abound with proposed embryonic stem cell therapies. The growth of the more primitive embryonic stem cells is more difficult to control and leads to tumor formation. Recent research suggests brain tumors may result. Additionally, the use of embryonic tissue foreign to the patient can potentially lead to problems with immune rejection of tissue, a problem not encountered in using a patient’s own adult stem cells.
America is the most formidable medical research center in the world, but it is far from alone in pursuing the potential of adult stem cells. The worldwide effort is impressive and growing. For non-adult stem cell research, a morally unquestionable alternative source exists: stem cells drawn from umbilical cord blood. Already a bank exists in Dubai collecting cord blood stem cells.
In short, the claims made in the Michael J. Fox political ads are false and reprehensible, an insult to the voters of Maryland, Missouri and New Jersey, and to all Americans.
Mary L. Davenport, MD is an obstetrician and gynecologist, and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Mary L. Davenport, MD
What’s reprehensible is Republican Congressmen pedophiles and their supporters.
KF
Mary Davenport MD is simply wrong, of course. Wonder what motivates her? Perhaps she doesn’t even exist? I know the right wing nut jobs like to make up stuff like this. Midget, you ever have a family member with Parkinson’s? Or some similar disease? Perhaps you have something like it yourself? No? I thought not… 
| Quote (KingFish @ Oct. 26 2006,00:33) |
| What's reprehensible is Republican Congressmen pedophiles and their supporters. KF |
Gee,,,I wonder why the Foley scandal dropped off the front page so quickly. (hint, democrats have closets too)
| Quote (TomS @ Oct. 26 2006,08:48) |
| Mary Davenport MD is simply wrong, of course. Wonder what motivates her? Perhaps she doesn’t even exist? I know the right wing nut jobs like to make up stuff like this. Midget, you ever have a family member with Parkinson’s? Or some similar disease? Perhaps you have something like it yourself? No? I thought not…
|
Well, Well Red, deny the existence of the author and make gratuitous assertions about me and my family…Perfect!!!
You certainly thought this one out!!
Midget Hot Rink
Mary Davenport MD
| Quote (Midget Hot Rink @ Oct. 25 2006,20:26) | ||
Gee,,,I wonder why the Foley scandal dropped off the front page so quickly. (hint, democrats have closets too)
|
News Flash..........The Democrats aren't in charge right now.
You tellin' me that the dems have to hammer this every second before Foley gets arrested for a federal crime?
You've been listening to that drug addict Rush too long.
Maybe all republicans should check into rehab like Rush and Foley. I hear there's a good clinic in Iraq.
KF
Mary L. Davenport is a very well know and outspoken Pro-Life proponent, including voicing her opinions about Terri Schiavo.
http://www.users.interport.net/a/l/allweb50m/
http://www.users.interport.net/a/l/allweb50m/news/docsigs.htm
http://www.aaplog.org/collition.htm
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4374
Hey, Blue, I merely pointed out that these sorts of things often are fabricated. Thanks for the evidence that she exists, at least!
The question about you and your family is nothing like gratuitous. When you live with a person with a chronic disease that could be cured someday as a result of the reasearch we’re talking about, it sort of sharpens one’s understanding of the issues. We both know that Repubs have used thsi in the same way they have used other issues, like gay marriage, to motivate a base of evangelicals - who are largely uninterested in what Jesus told them to be interested in: helping those who suffer, and whoa re totally uninterested in intelligent, respectful debate.
So…fess up…you hve Parkinson’s? Anyone in your family have it? Anyone close to you? How can you claim to make informed judgments without actually understanding what’s at stake? Fox is a great spokesperson in this respect - many of us know him from his mvies, and hence we can relate to his tragic illness in a rather personal way. You know, that other thing Jesus taught: empathy.
Anyway, to the issue: Dr. D asked why federally funded research is needed, and the answer is easy: that’s where most research money comes from. It’s great that California is taking the lead, but they are doing this only because foolish right wing evangelical politics essentially halted the research, and private and state funding will never be able to do what federal funding can do. As I said, the good Dr. is just wrong. She knows this, or should know it. So one wonders (again) what her motivation is, for writing that claptrap.
The Republicans didn’t mind when FOX did an ad for Arlene Spector in 2004.
I whole heartily support stem cell research.
Perhaps Midget minded, however.
| Quote (Mr Soul @ Oct. 26 2006,11:56) |
| The Republicans didn't mind when FOX did an ad for Arlene Spector in 2004. I whole heartily support stem cell research. |
mike,
that is at least twice today you have lumped all Repubs in a group... not the best way to lend creditability to your voice. Just a comment and I now return to not commenting...
cheers,
C
And I’ll probably do it 3 times before I’m done. As long as the Republicans remain in complete power, you’re all bad as far as I’m concerned. If the country swings back to the center, then I’ll start being more “compassionate” towards some Republicans like yourself. 
| Quote (Mr Soul @ Oct. 26 2006,03:52) |
| And I'll probably do it 3 times before I'm done. As long as the Republicans remain in complete power, you're all bad as far as I'm concerned. If the country swings back to the center, then I'll start being more "compassionate" towards some Republicans like yourself.
|
I won't. EVER. If they're still card carrying republicans after all that has gone on, they ARE the problem. They've done nothing to straighten out their party so they are part of the mess. There's always the Independent, Reform, Green or any party you want to start.
KF
oh yes, you are the “open minded” people. right.
| Quote (clark_griswold @ Oct. 26 2006,04:14) |
| oh yes, you are the "open minded" people. right. |
Not anymore.
Why should I give quarter to republican ideas when they've failed at virtually everything in the last 6 years.
I had an open mind when GW was elected. I didn't vote for him but I never believed he or any leader would voluntarily take his country down the toilet, nor did I believe that his party would ever let him. I was wrong.
KF
| Quote (KingFish @ Oct. 26 2006,17:21) | ||
Not anymore. Why should I give quarter to republican ideas when they've failed at virtually everything in the last 6 years. I had an open mind when GW was elected. I didn't vote for him but I never believed he or any leader would voluntarily take his country down the toilet, nor did I believe that his party would ever let him. I was wrong. KF |
what on earth are you going to do when the Dems control the House and the White House in a few years and nothing gets any better?
just curious.
Anyone read the nice Rolling Stone piece on the present congress?
<!–QuoteBegin>
| Quote |
| what on earth are you going to do when the Dems control the House and the White House in a few years and nothing gets any better? |
That’s a valid question. However, even if we’re doing better, the people may not know because the right-wing spin machine will be going full tilt if we take over Congress.
| Quote (TomS @ Oct. 26 2006,10:56) |
| Hey, Blue, I merely pointed out that these sorts of things often are fabricated. Thanks for the evidence that she exists, at least! The question about you and your family is nothing like gratuitous. When you live with a person with a chronic disease that could be cured someday as a result of the reasearch we're talking about, it sort of sharpens one's understanding of the issues. We both know that Repubs have used thsi in the same way they have used other issues, like gay marriage, to motivate a base of evangelicals - who are largely uninterested in what Jesus told them to be interested in: helping those who suffer, and whoa re totally uninterested in intelligent, respectful debate. So...fess up...you hve Parkinson's? Anyone in your family have it? Anyone close to you? How can you claim to make informed judgments without actually understanding what's at stake? Fox is a great spokesperson in this respect - many of us know him from his mvies, and hence we can relate to his tragic illness in a rather personal way. You know, that other thing Jesus taught: empathy. Anyway, to the issue: Dr. D asked why federally funded research is needed, and the answer is easy: that's where most research money comes from. It's great that California is taking the lead, but they are doing this only because foolish right wing evangelical politics essentially halted the research, and private and state funding will never be able to do what federal funding can do. As I said, the good Dr. is just wrong. She knows this, or should know it. So one wonders (again) what her motivation is, for writing that claptrap.
|
Well Red, besides further (yes gratuitous) assertions, are you able to present a rebuttal to anything in the article?
Perhaps this?
"The plain fact is that embryonic stem cell research is proving to be a bust. There are currently 72 therapies showing human benefits using adult stem cells and zero using embryonic stem cells. Scientifically-minded readers can review this medical journal article on the status of adult stem cell research. Adult stem cell therapies are already being advertised and promoted while no such treatments are even remotely in prospect for embryonic stem cell research." (there are links in the original).
or
"The implicit claim that research based on new embryos is “the most promising” is absurd, completely unsupported by the scientific literature, and an insult to voters, based as it is on the assumption that they are incapable of understanding the issue. Too stupid to tell the difference, is the elitist assumption underlying this campaign."
Seems these claims could be nuked rather easily if not true.
And I'm afraid, she's a republican (or pro life), won't cut it with me.
As for me and my family, no, there is no Parkinson's in my family.
Midget Minded