Quote:
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Originally Posted by -Turk-
We all create a good number of (adult)stem cells on a daily basis.
Our nose is the biggest supplier of these.
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See, Turk knows what he's talking about
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http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/89023.asp
Waverly teen travels to D.C. for stem-cell press conference
Rabon, senator promote research into adult cells
By REBECCA GO
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
Published Wednesday, June 21, 2006
WASHINGTON - Jacki Rabon spent her first trip to the nation's capital sightseeing - and advocating adult stem cell research.
The 19-year-old from Waverly joined U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and other adult stem cell patients in a Capitol Hill press conference Tuesday afternoon. Brownback supports adult stem cell research as an alternative to research on stem cells derived from human embryos.
The latter is controversial because it destroys the embryos, though some scientists believe it holds more promise for treating or curing diseases and injuries. Stem cells are unspecialized cells that researchers believe could revolutionize medical treatment if they can be used to grow replacement organs and tissues.
Rabon, paralyzed from the waist down since a car accident in 2003, underwent experimental surgery six months ago in Lisbon, Portugal. The $44,000 procedure, known as olfactory mucosa transplantation, transferred stem cells from the inside of Rabon's nose to the area of her spinal cord injury.
"It was a very intense surgery," Rabon said.
She said at the news conference that she has increased feeling in her hips and now walks with the aid of a walker and braces.
"(The surgery) allowed me to walk again and go back to my normal life," said Rabon, who spoke into microphones from her wheelchair.
Rabon was among several people who spoke, many of whom also had benefited from adult or umbilical cord blood stem-cell treatment. Brownback called for bringing such procedures to the United States.
"Many of the patients had to go overseas," he said. "They shouldn't have to do that."
Brownback clearly differentiated between his support of adult and cord-blood stem-cell research and his opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells.
Rabon, who opposes abortion, echoed Brownback. She said there is less risk of rejection with adult stem cells than with embryonic stem cells. She and her family are ethically more comfortable with adult stem-cell research, but have stated before that they are not completely opposed to embryonic stem-cell research if it led to cures.
"I think everyone is going to have different views," Rabon said. "I support everything that's been talked about here at this press conference."
The event was scheduled in anticipation of a vote on federal funding for stem-cell research. Brownback said the issue could reach the Senate floor by July, before the Senate summer recess.
The legislation probably will be a three-part package regarding embryonic stem-cell research, other types of stem-cell research and the use of tissue from advanced embryos or fetuses.
Brownback invited Rabon to Washington after reading an article about her in the Baptist Press. The press conference organizer, the Do No Harm Coalition, paid for Rabon and her mother, Becki, to fly out and stay for a few days. Jacki's older sister, Jennifer Watret, came along as well.
Aside from continuing her rehabilitation routine and doing "what typical teens do," Rabon will enroll at MacMurray College in Jacksonville in the fall. She plans to study speech therapy.