quotations about stem cell research
At this moment, the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. To regenerate a severed spinal cord and lift someone from a wheelchair. To spur insulin production and spare a child from a lifetime of needles. To treat Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people who love them. But that potential will not reveal itself on its own. Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research -- from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit -- and from a government willing to support that work.
BARACK OBAMA
remarks at signing of Stem Cell Executive Order and Scientific Integrity Presidential Memorandum, March 9, 2009
The use of fetuses as organ and tissue donors is a ticking time bomb of bioethics.
ARTHUR L. CAPLAN
attributed, Time Magazine, January 12, 1987
The idea that stem cells are magical holds court in the community, along with this idea the advances in treatment are being held up by red tape.
MEGAN MUNSIE
"Stem cell therapies: medical experts call for strict international rules", The Guardian, July 6, 2017
In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.
BARACK OBAMA
remarks at signing of Stem Cell Executive Order and Scientific Integrity Presidential Memorandum, March 9, 2009
Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.
BARACK OBAMA
remarks at signing of Stem Cell Executive Order and Scientific Integrity Presidential Memorandum, March 9, 2009
Stem cells are a little like blank slates that are yet to take on a specific task. If you rewind the clock on any of your body's tissues, its cells will become less specialised, until you're left with a cell with a lot of potential to become nearly anything.
MIKE MCRAE
"World-First Trials Have Been Launched to Treat Parkinson's and Blindness With Embryonic Stem Cells", Science Alert, June 1, 2017
Stem cells are able to detect distress signals from inflammatory areas of the body and migrate to that section and begin differentiating and integrating with the tissues of the affected area. Stem cells not only vascularise the area with better blood circulation but also induce better healing.
SUCHITRA BAJPAI CHAUDHARY
"Palestinian bomb blast victim undergoes surgery in Dubai hospital", Zawya, June 14, 2017
I'm very grateful that President Obama has lifted the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward. I urge researchers to make use of the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers. Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases -- and soon. As I've said before, time is short, and life is precious.
NANCY REAGAN
statement in response to Barack Obama's signing of Stem Cell Executive Order and Scientific Integrity Presidential Memorandum, March 9, 2009
While the U.S is still up in arms about how moral the whole thing is, other countries are using stem cells successfully to help people get healthy.
STAFF WRITER
"#3 Ways to Be Healthy That You Won't Hear from The Media", Entrepreneur, June 13, 2017
The United States is a leader in embryonic stem cell research, from basic science to clinical application. This achievement has been fueled by successful collaborations between government-funded academic laboratories and the private sector. A skilled workforce and state-of-the-art infrastructure has been established. New restrictions could well lead to a brain drain and likely provide a serious roadblock to numerous cures.
LAURA GRABEL
"Embryonic Stem Cell Research Threatened", Hartford Courant, January 27, 2017
Some stem cells today are obtained from surplus embryos from in-vitro fertilization. I support that research, provided that those embryos are obtained after a rigorous parental consent process that includes adoption as an alternative.
MITT ROMNEY
The Boston Globe, March 6, 2005
Specialised cells of plants can return to being stem cells without external manipulation. In the plant world, there is a natural reprogramming process.
CARSTEN PETERSON
"Stem cells in plants and animals behave surprisingly similarly", Phys Org, May 12, 2017
Researchers and biotech executives foresee the day when the effects of many catastrophic diseases can be reversed. The damaged brains of Alzheimer's disease patients may be restored. Severed spinal cords may be rejoined. Damaged organs may be rebuilt. Stem cells provide hope that this dream will become a reality.
GEORGE WOLFF
The Biotech Investor's Bible
The moral issue does not disappear just because the embryos are very small or because they are no longer wanted for reproductive purposes: Because they are living human embryos, destroying them is not a morally neutral act. Just as no society can afford to be callous to the needs of suffering humanity, none can afford to be cavalier about how it treats nascent human life.
LEON R. KASS
"Playing Politics With the Sick", Washington Post, October 8, 2004
I hope cancer claims you
That stem cells could have cured
And as you're puking your guts from chemo and dying in your bed
I hope your god still comforts you
Because due to your ban of federal funding, science cannot save you
And you did it to yourself
And you'll be taking thousands more down with you
All because you equate a ball of cells in a petri dish with a conscious human being
ED GEIN
"Bastard"
Wise public policy concerning embryonic stem cell research must attend to three important -- sometimes competing -- responsibilities: to seek scientific knowledge and cures for terrible diseases, to protect human life in all its vulnerable stages, and to respect the diverse yet deeply held moral views of the American people.
LEON R. KASS
"Playing Politics With the Sick", Washington Post, October 8, 2004
Not all stem cells are the same and it is crucial to ensure the purity of stem cells before they are injected into people.
STACEY JOHNSON
"Consider risks of unapproved stem cell treatment", Kamloops This Week, July 7, 2017
Stem cells possess enormous regenerative potential. The potential applications are virtually limitless.
KRISTIN COMELLA
"Regenerative Medicine: The Future of Medicine is Here", Miami's Community Newspapers, July 12, 2017
And now science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that have for so long been beyond our grasp. I don't see how we can turn our backs on this. There are so many diseases that can be cured or at least helped. We've lost so much time already. I can't bear to lose any more.
NANCY REAGAN
speech at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation event, May 8, 2004
Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No President can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them -- actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground. Not just by opening up this new frontier of research today, but by supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.
BARACK OBAMA
remarks at signing of Stem Cell Executive Order and Scientific Integrity Presidential Memorandum, March 9, 2009