Stem cell research wins victory in Jersey
By: Paul Corkery
Issue date: 6/4/04 Section: Sci-Tech
Originally published: 6/3/04 at 11:23 PM EST
Last update: 7/27/04 at 3:19 PM EST
Originally published: 6/3/04 at 11:23 PM EST
Last update: 7/27/04 at 3:19 PM EST
Just when you thought you were living in the armpit of America, along comes another reason to be proud of your residence in the Garden State. No, all the diners are not being legally required to operate 24 hours a day. Earlier this month, Governor James McGreevey signed an agreement to create the first publicly funded stem cell research center in America.
There is a national policy against the use of government dollars in the funding of such research, thanks to the conservative Bush agenda. New Jersey has assumed the mantle of responsibility when it comes to the ethical and financial burden attached to such research, though McGreevey, a Catholic, has been attacked mercilessly by conservatives groups like the Roman Catholic Church for his stance on abortion rights and now stem cell research. McGreevey, under pressure from several New Jersey bishops, has had to agree not to accept Holy Communion at any public ceremonies.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the particulars of stem cell research, allow me to give you a brief explanation from my basic understanding - I am no biologist.
Each cell in the human body is designed to serve a specific function. Before cells are configured for their role, however, they form as stem cells. These are cells that are ready to receive genetic information so that they can be transformed to perform a specific role. Stem cells can be used to manufacture human cells in a manner that is controlled by science, rather than nature, allowing us to perform complex experiments that could possibly lead to cures for many horrible diseases, disorders and conditions.
As I understand it, this is how it works out. Most detrimental conditions in the human body are the result of corrupted, diseased or malfunctioning clusters of cells. Imagine the potential of a technology that would allow us to grow new healthy cells to fix these maladies.
Many scientific minds believe that stem cell research holds the key to the treatment and curing of many life-threatening and debilitating medical conditions that afflict millions each year. These are things like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia, not to mention personal injuries such as depleted motor skills resulting from damage to the spinal column -- think Christopher Reeve.
There is a national policy against the use of government dollars in the funding of such research, thanks to the conservative Bush agenda. New Jersey has assumed the mantle of responsibility when it comes to the ethical and financial burden attached to such research, though McGreevey, a Catholic, has been attacked mercilessly by conservatives groups like the Roman Catholic Church for his stance on abortion rights and now stem cell research. McGreevey, under pressure from several New Jersey bishops, has had to agree not to accept Holy Communion at any public ceremonies.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the particulars of stem cell research, allow me to give you a brief explanation from my basic understanding - I am no biologist.
Each cell in the human body is designed to serve a specific function. Before cells are configured for their role, however, they form as stem cells. These are cells that are ready to receive genetic information so that they can be transformed to perform a specific role. Stem cells can be used to manufacture human cells in a manner that is controlled by science, rather than nature, allowing us to perform complex experiments that could possibly lead to cures for many horrible diseases, disorders and conditions.
As I understand it, this is how it works out. Most detrimental conditions in the human body are the result of corrupted, diseased or malfunctioning clusters of cells. Imagine the potential of a technology that would allow us to grow new healthy cells to fix these maladies.
Many scientific minds believe that stem cell research holds the key to the treatment and curing of many life-threatening and debilitating medical conditions that afflict millions each year. These are things like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia, not to mention personal injuries such as depleted motor skills resulting from damage to the spinal column -- think Christopher Reeve.
rbose
rbose
posted 6/06/04 @ 12:14 AM EST
Do you write frequently?