Washington D.C., Jun 24, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Two women, who were formerly paralyzed but treated with the use of adult stem cells, attended a press conference yesterday to demonstrate the effectiveness of adult stem-cell treatment as opposed to embryonic stem-cell treatment.
In the current debate on the issue, some members of the scientific community insist that adult stem-cell research is not as effective as embryonic stem-cell research. However, the Catholic Church and pro-life organizations are against embryonic stem-cell research since it would involve the destruction of an embryo, that is, human life. They believe that embryonic stem-cell research is not an ethical solution to treat ailments and illnesses.
Republican Senator Sam Brownback conducted yesterday’s press conference and made the case in favor of adult stem-cell research. The Kansas senator introduced Laura Dominguez and Susan Fajt, two women with severe spinal cord injuries, who were treated with adult stem cells.
Dominguez was a quadriplegic at 16 after a car accident severely damaged her spinal cord. However, due to treatment using her own olfactory sinus stem cells, Dominguez can now walk with the aid of braces. A car accident also left Susan Fajt paralyzed, but she, too, can walk with braces today because of experimental new adult stem-cell treatment.