New Research Shows Adult Stem Cells Best Hope for ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The following is from Dr. David Prentice, a fellow with the Family Research Council: “Adult stem cells have been used in a rat model of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; "Lou Gehrig's disease") to strengthen muscles and their connecting nerves. Researchers injected bone marrow adult stem cells carrying a gene for GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), a nurturing protein for nerves. Previous work by the group had shown that transplanting neural stem cells that released GDNF into the spinal cord could protect motor neurons that degenerate in the ALS rat, but that the nerves still did not effectively connect with the muscles that waste away due to ALS. In the current study published in Molecular Therapy, the researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that when they injected the adult stem cells into muscle, however, the cells pumped out GDNF that helped the connecting nerves survive and maintain connection, and that this delayed progression of the disease and extended the lifespan of the ALS animals. The bone marrow adult stem cells had a slight effect on their own, possibly by releasing their own protective factors, but the effect was greater when they delivered the nurturing growth protein. While any human application is still in the future, the new study provides hope for treatment in a disease that currently has no effective therapy. An advantage of this approach is that muscle is easy to access and adult stem cells could be used from the patients themselves.”

Group Wanting to Air Ad Criticizing Barack Obama on Abortion Files Legal Appeal
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life organization denied the opportunity to air a commercial criticizing Barack Obama on abortion has file a legal appeal in its case. The Real Truth About Obama filed its appeal brief in the Fourth Circuit, appealing a district-court denial of a preliminary injunction against the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice that would have permitted it to raise funds and broadcast ads discussing Barack Obama's positions on abortion. RTAO has also asked the Fourth Circuit for an injunction pending appeal and that the appeal be expedited. RTAO is an issue-advocacy 527 corporation formed to tell the American people the real truth about Senator Obama's public policy positions. Its first project is about Obama's radical pro-abortion views and voting record. RTAO does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of any candidate, but rather only does issue advocacy. The Supreme Court has stated that issue advocacy is constitutionally protected as it "conveys information and educates. An issue ad's impact on an election, if it exists at all, will come only after the voters hear the information and choose--uninvited by the ad--to factor it into their voting decisions." Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. Federal Election Commission ("WRTL II"). Nonetheless, RTAO feared that if it would broadcast its issue ads on Obama's position on abortion, it would be punished by the FEC and DOJ for violating campaign finance laws. "The fact that the FEC said that one of RTAO's ads is not express advocacy, but the district court judge says that it is, illustrates that the FEC's express-advocacy rule is unconstitutionally vague," the group’s attorney, James Bopp, told LifeNews.com.

Adult Stem Cell Research Offers More Hope for Patients With Liver Issues
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Doctors at Imperial College, London have published results showing improvement in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, after treatment with their own adult stem cells. Nine patients had their adult stem cells from blood collected, the numbers were boosted in the lab, and then the cells were injected into their livers. Positive results were seen within one week. Seven of the nine patients showed significant improvement up to 12 weeks (the extent monitored for this study), with three patients showing almost complete resolution. Dr. Nagy Habib, the senior author, said "We are encouraged that the majority of patients in this study experienced a significant improvement in their liver functions." These latest results were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. The new results using adult stem cells to treat liver damage are a follow-up to previous work done by Habib's group and reported in 2006 and in 2007. Positive results using adult stem cells to treat liver damage in patients has also been reported by another group in Greece and in Japan.

Pro-Life Group Upset Out of State Abortion Advocates Target South Dakota Ban
Pierre, SD (LifeNews.com) -- The ACLU has announced plans to bus in abortion supporters from outside states in an attempt to influence the outcome of vote on Measure 11, a proposed state ban on nearly all abortions. The groups are scheduled to descend upon Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the first weekend in October. In addition, the ACLU has promised to pay all expenses for the out-of-state abortion advocates. "Operation Rescue denounces this blatant effort by the ACLU to bring in paid agitators to influence the vote in South Dakota. We see this as an unscrupulous effort to buy the election," said Troy Newman, the president of the group. "The people of South Dakota have taken pride in the fact that Measure 11 is a law by South Dakotans for South Dakotans. They certainly don't need the ACLU to bring in pro-abortion liberals to tell them what is best for their state." Polls have shown that the majority of South Dakotans support the abortion restrictions in Measure 11. "We know that the good people of South Dakota embrace the traditional American values that cherish life and family. We urge South Dakotans to reject the liberal ACLU carpetbaggers and vote their consciences in support of Measure 11 on November 4," said Newman.

Kansas AG Wants More Time to Submit Legal Papers in Abortion Case
Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- Attorneys representing the Kansas Attorney General’s office have submitted a request for more time to file legal papers after an evidentiary hearing is held in a case involving late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller. Former attorney general Paul Morrison filed the charges against Tiller, saying he violated state law requiring a second physician to sign off on the validity of the late-term abortions. On Friday, Tiller attorneys opposed a request for more time to respond to the defense motion filed earlier this month asking that charges filed against him for alleged illegal late-term abortions be dismissed. This time, Tiller’s attorneys are trying a new tactic by claiming former Attorney General Phill Kline engaged in supposed misconduct. The AG’s office contends the defense is basing its arguments on allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and that dismissing the case on those allegations is improper. Tiller allegedly has violated the component of the state’s late-term abortion law requiring the abortion practitioner not to have a relationship with the second physician. He got abortion practitioner Ann Kristin Neuhaus, with whom he is a financial partner, to sign off on the disputed late-term abortions. The second physician is supposed to validate whether the mother will face "substantial and irreversible" harm to "a major bodily function" without the abortion -- the lone times when a late-term abortion can be done legally. Tiller could face as much as 19 years in prison with one year for each guilty conviction.

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