Texas State Senate Panel to Hold Historic Hearing on Adult Stem Cell Research
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 13, 2008
Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) — A Texas legislative committee today will hold a hearing on the benefits associated with adult stem cell research and its moral superiority compared with the use of embryonic stem cells. Today, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hear invited and public testimony.
The hearing will focus on the current and future state of life-saving adult stem cell research and treatments in Texas and the potential for commercializing that research.
After the panel, pro-life advocates will hold a press conference featuring patients who have been successfully treated using adult stem cells for a variety of diseases.
Texas Alliance for Life’s executive director, Joe Pojman, told LifeNews.com that Lt. Governor David Dewhurst spearheaded the hearing.
"He is wisely moving Texas beyond the protracted debate about the ethical problems of creating and destroying human embryos for research into the promising world of adult stem cell treatments that have already saving thousands of lives," Pojman said.
"Because adult stem cells treatments are highly effective and do not harm the donor, we strongly support the state’s continued investment in this promising medical technology," he added.
Participants at the hearing include Texas patients who have been successfully treated using adult stems cells for sickle cell anemia, congenital neutropenia (Kostmann’s Syndrome), and other diseases.
In none of the cases have embryonic stem cells been used because of a host of problems including the forming of tumors and immune system rejection issues that have made it so the research has yet to be successful in animals — yet alone humans.
Also expected to testify is a representative of SpineSmith, an Austin-based company that provides adult stem cell products to help regenerate the spine.
Related web sites:
Texas Alliance for Life – https://www.texasallianceforlife.org
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