Lifting the Ban: The Struggle for Stem Cells (II)

Lifting the Ban: The Struggle for Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Part 2 of 2)

James Hardie -Director
Joey O'Connor -Cinematographer/Editor
Steve Hartter -MoOF Cinematographer/Editor
Jackie Vandervest -Tech Guru
Year: 2005

Spartan Wheat Production team from Michigan State University's Lyman Briggs College presents a documentary film that attempts to clarify controversial issues connected with stem cells. The film teams explains: "Stem cells are unspecialized cells that give rise later in life to a specific specialized cell of an organ or tissue. Research first began on Adult stem cells during the 1960s. These stem cells are typically harvested from the skin, bone marrow, and nasal passages. By the early 1980s, adult stem cells were already being used to cure a variety of diseases such as Parkinson's disease and certain cancers (Brossard, 2003). The 1990s saw the first use of umbilical cord blood stem cells, which are used to treat heart and other metabolic diseases in children with certain anemia's and leukemia's (Brossard, 2003). Currently, Physicians treat about 80 different diseases with the use of adult stem cells (Brossard, 2003). In 1998, a new form of stem cells were isolated, ones that would spur a heated debate and grab worldwide attention (Specht, 2005). On November 5th, 1998, scientists at the University of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins University found embryonic stem cells, which are taken from human embryos (Specht, 2005). However, because of legal limits President Bush placed upon this type of study [to the pre-existing 60 stem cell lines] and insufficient federal funding, embryonic stem cell research was slowed down greatly. Later, when the 60 stem cell lines made available became contaminated, this eliminated any and all progress in the new field."

Experts in film: Dr. Jose Cibelli MSU Physiologist, Rep. Andrew Meisner, Michigan House of Representatives, Father Mark Inglat, St. John's Student Parish.

This film was created as part of a senior thesis research project in a course at Michigan State University. Learn more here: http://www.msu.edu/course/lbs/492/lucki

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• LBC
• LBS
• Lyman
• Briggs
• MSU
• stem
• cells
• Bush
• controversy

[thelastemperor909]

religion is poison . sad but true

[WayCurious]

The reprogramming you mention (iPS) makes embryonic 'a historical footnote' [Dr. Thompson, 1st isloated hESs (1998) and now excited to both start and end the field by producing iPS]. Drs. Ian Wilmut & John Gearhart call iPS the future of SC research & new Nobel laureate, Sir Martin Evans (who first isolated ES in mice, 1981) concludes iPS will be the long-term solution. iPS allow study of normal, treatable, and treatment resistant cells AND patient specific treatments.

[Unklebillybob]

Might be a good idea to goto, "Stem Cell Therapy Discussion" here on YouTube to get a clear picture on stem cell research.

[WayCurious]

MI's Sens Levin/Stabenow voted against expanding hES funding by voting NAY on S.30. Bush's executive order expands to almost 1/2 all IVF embryos, blastomere extraction, the reprogramming you mention, and even nuclear transfer. hES still primarily for study, they otherwise form tumors or rejected by subject if matured to final tissue. Dr. Cibelli says eggs are the bottleneck to SC research. Women's health/lives at risk from drug-induced hyperstimulation for eggs/research materials. Go State!