Hope. For some advocates of stem cell research, it's just as important as the prospect of a cure.
Stephanie Monday of Madison was diagnosed with MS twelve years ago, and she says that, while she supports stem cell research, she doesn't expect the work will lead to an immediate cure. “I don't think anybody has that expectation,” she said. “But to think that in the future, others won't have to suffer what we suffer, is more than enough.” Monday and others are part of “Stem Cell Champions for Doyle” a group of patients, advocates and researchers who back the incumbent governor. Dr. Ian Duncan, a UW Madison researcher, addressed the issue of whether or not embryonic stem cell research offers false hope of cures for diseases. Duncan noted that opponents of embryonic stem cell research have claimed that adult stem cells can cure 65 diseases, a claim he called “completely spurious.” The actual number of cures thus far derived from adult stem cells is actually nine, said Duncan. “That is really false hope,” he added.
Green said Monday that he continues to support research on adult stem cells, while opposing therapeutic or embryonic cloning for stem cell research.
Related web sites:
Stem Cell Champions for Doyle
