Archdiocese of Sydney announces fourth adult stem cell research grant
Imprimir Incrementar tamaño de fuente Disminuir tamaño de fuente

Cardinal George Pell

Sydney, Australia, Jul 9, 2009 / 02:20 am (CNA).- The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has invited Australia-based researchers to apply for a $100,000 AUD grant to support and foster research on the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells.

The research grant is the fourth announced by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney. It is intended to advance science and to circumvent human embryonic stem cell research, which requires the creation and destruction of human embryos.

Announcing the grant, Cardinal Pell said that the Church “promotes and encourages medical research, and we strongly support stem cell research and other forms of biotechnology that respect the dignity of every human life, including that of the unborn.”

"Every human life should be accorded the full protection of the law without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, condition of dependency or stage of development. And this includes the smallest members of the human family.”

“Advances in adult stem cell research have been extremely impressive. Achievements in this area have surpassed anything that has been achieved in the field of embryonic cell research,” he added.

The grant will be awarded based on the recommendation of an independent assessment panel, whose members include experts in science and ethics.

The Archdiocese of Sydney’s grants have funded three previous efforts in stem cell research. 

A 2003 grant of  $50,000 funded an investigation into the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells derived from the nose to be used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. A 2005 grant in the amount of $100,000 helped investigate therapies using skin-derived stem cells to regenerate skin for catastrophic burn victims.

Another $100,000 grant, announced in 2007, helped research the capacity of stem cells derived from human dental pulp to transform into neuron cells, which may be useful in treating stroke victims.

Adult stem cells may be harvested from a patient’s own body and have been used in the treatment of heart and liver disease, strokes and spinal cord conditions. Though such therapies are still in early stages of development, adult stem cells avoid many of the technical and ethical problems surrounding the use of human embryonic stem cells.

Imprimir Incrementar tamaño de fuente Disminuir tamaño de fuente
Subscriber comments:
Published by: catherine KENNEDY
melbourne Australia 07/15/2009 02:51 AM EST
This is such a good initiative! If there is NO scientific rearch up and running we dont find the cures, be they by default eg Alexander Fleming the discovery of the mould that led to the development of the penicillin antibiotic or by sheer hard work
eg in 2007, The World Heath Organization estimated that some 600,000 people around the world would need replacement heart valves within the next three years. UK scientists delivered afflicted heart patients some hopeful news: A team of researchers led by Doctors of the Imperial College of London saw 10 years of work render results when they grew bone marrow STEM cells into functioning human heart-valve tissue. THERE ARE hopes that the tissue can be grown into the shape of a heart valve using a special collagen scaffolding. THIS WORK builds on the ongoing efforts of scientists around the world to grow new heart valves and other body parts. If tissue holds up in animal trials, IT IS estimated it could be used in human heart-valve transplant patients within the near future!
so here we have a good example of the benefits of research that involves stem cells!




Human Genome Is
Sequenced (2003)

Originally it was thought that the human genome contained between 30,000 – 40,000 genes, but scientists have revised this number down to 20,000 – 25,000 genes. The benefits of this discovery will aid in the understanding and treatment of human diseases such as asthma, cancer and Alzheimer's disease
Rate this comment:
ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):
NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:
 
PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:
* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.
ADVERTISING
Place your ad here
Resources:
Columns:
News:
Documents:
Tools:
ACI Group:
ACI Prensa