Salazar, Allard and science on embryonic stem cell research
CD1 Democratic representative Diana DeGette's bill to expand federal funding for stem cell research is close to passing the Senate. Yesterday I begged my Senators to support the bill. For a change, I actually got prompt replies from both of them.
Democratic Senator Ken Salazar will vote for the bill:
I believe the legislation passed by the House represents a measured, responsible step toward tapping into the vast potential that embryonic stem cell research has...
Republican Senator Wayne Allard will apparently vote no:
...We are currently finding that these adult stem cells can function as well, perhaps even better than, embryonic stem cells.
Allard needs to check his science. The Washington Post reports that opponents of embryonic stem cell research are using faulty, politically-charged data:
Prentice has repeatedly claimed that adult stem cells, which can be retrieved harmlessly from adults, have at least as much medical potential as embryonic cells. He often carries a binder filled with references to scientific papers that he says prove the value of adult stem cells as treatments for at least 65 diseases.
In the letter to Science, however, three researchers went through Prentice's footnoted documentation and concluded that most of his examples are wrong.
"Prentice not only misrepresents existing adult stem cell treatments but also frequently distorts the nature and content of the references he cites..."
It's like the global warming debate all over again. Have you signed the petition yet?
Democratic Senator Ken Salazar will vote for the bill:
I believe the legislation passed by the House represents a measured, responsible step toward tapping into the vast potential that embryonic stem cell research has...
Republican Senator Wayne Allard will apparently vote no:
...We are currently finding that these adult stem cells can function as well, perhaps even better than, embryonic stem cells.
Allard needs to check his science. The Washington Post reports that opponents of embryonic stem cell research are using faulty, politically-charged data:
Prentice has repeatedly claimed that adult stem cells, which can be retrieved harmlessly from adults, have at least as much medical potential as embryonic cells. He often carries a binder filled with references to scientific papers that he says prove the value of adult stem cells as treatments for at least 65 diseases.
In the letter to Science, however, three researchers went through Prentice's footnoted documentation and concluded that most of his examples are wrong.
"Prentice not only misrepresents existing adult stem cell treatments but also frequently distorts the nature and content of the references he cites..."
It's like the global warming debate all over again. Have you signed the petition yet?
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One day in, and the petition already has 2,800 signatures. Are you one of them?
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