Book Description
Positioned at the cutting edge of science, Cell of Cells charts the international race to utilize the stem cell.
From a lab in the Sahara, where one problem is sand in the petri dishes, to an Israeli lab that narrowly escapes a terrorist bomb, stem cells have gone global. Not only are the cells studied in an escalating number of labs—and lands—but they are already being used. In Japan, a respected doctor uses the cells to make small women better endowed. In Connecticut, stem cell technology has created cloned cows that roam the hills displaying eerily identical personalities. In Texas, stem cells rejuvenate dying hearts. In China, clinics offer stem cells to patients suffering from everything from paralysis to brain trauma.
In elegant, cogent prose, science journalist Cynthia Fox has illuminated the reality and promise of stem cell therapies. Cell of Cells illustrates how the extensive, fervent experimentation currently under way is causing a revolution, both in the body and in the international body politic.
Customer Reviews:
a stem cell travelogue.......2007-07-09
There have been a number of books about stem cells. Some take a dry scientific approach, others have focused on the political-religious-legislative battles within the United States and how those disputes have forced research abroad.
This book, with its emphasis on places and personalities, breaks new ground as a science writer's travelogue. Cynthia Fox spent years jetting around the world, interviewing scientists, touring labs, and documenting discoveries while charting the social and geopolitical forces affecting the stem cell race. You feel what it's like to work in a lab. You can also feel the tensions, which is what ultimately makes this book a good read.
Fox had a riveting ringside seat to the famous Korean scandal. But there's much more here; one online reviewer called this an 'essential handicapper's guide', and it proves to be richly rewarding for the details on at least a half dozen other labs around the world, as well as on the proliferating third world quack clinics (which merit a whole chapter). At first I wondered about Fox's use of the frame narratives and cultural sketches, wondering if they were, strictly speaking, necessary; within fifty pages, however, I was won over by Fox's sense of balance and genuine grasp of the scientific challenges. She understands the range of the field. She definitely did her homework.
An impressive work of observation, Cell of Cells is a gentle introduction to a difficult subject, and a must-own for anyone working in the stem cell field. Cynthia Fox definitely caught the mood and atmosphere of the times.
Book Description
There has been much recent debate about the merits, dangers, and nature of stem cell research. Some see in it the answer to every debilitating disease known to man, while others see it as a step away from human cloning.
While the battle has raged, research is moving ahead, and California has already passed a measure that will give $3 billion in support to stem cell research. But as politics, religion, and the media weigh in on this complex issue, more and more of the scientific reality of stem cell research is getting lost. In the search for the truth about stem cell science, the author has interviewed the scientists whose cutting-edge research is at the very heart of this hot-button issue. The book explains what they have accomplished so far, what they're currently doing, and what they see on the horizon.
The Stem Cell Divide does not take sides, and the author debunks the distortions and exaggerations that come from every camp. This book does not tell readers what to think, but gives them the facts necessary to form their own opinions about one of the most divisive, complex, and potentially life-changing developments in history.
Customer Reviews:
Reposted from the Book Review section of Sciencereport-dot-net.......2006-09-29
The review below can be found at the ScienceReport-dot-net website.
Human stem cell research is a major hot button topic that divides the conservative and scientific communities. Religious conservatives see it as tampering with nature and even playing God. Scientists, on the other hand, see the potential to treat many of the life threatening diseases of our times - from heart disease and diabetes to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
There's no question that there's been a lot of hype surrounding both sides, so it's refreshing that in The Stem Cell Divide provides a non-biased look at the science and politics surrounding this controversial topic.
The book is divided into 3 parts: Discovery of the Stem Cell's Unique Abilities, The Race to Harness the Power of Life, and Stem Cell Cures and Curses. There are two appendices: one describing how human cells are cultured and the other describing California's legislation concerning the funding of stem cell research. The book also has a fairly extensive glossary.
The first part of the book is concerned with stem cell basics. This section is designed to get novices up to speed with the history and process of stem cell research. Bellomo clearly explains why embryonic stem cells have advantages over adult stem cells, the scientific research up to this point, and our main sources for embryonic stem cells - namely stem cell cultures maintained by Dr. James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin and potentially, the thousands of unused embryos that are discarded at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics.
The second part of the book discusses the opposition President Bush has faced from his own party by his decision to veto any bill that allowed federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Bellomo makes it extremely clear that the issue at hand is not whether embryonic stem cell research should be legal - it already is allowed, remains unrestricted, and is perfectly legal - but whether it should be federally funded.
On August 9, 2001, Bush announced that federal funding would only be allowed for researchers who experimented on the 60 or so existing embryonic stem cell lines. Determined to keep biotechs within the state, California responded with Proposition 71, legislature that essentially made conducting stem cell research a state constitutional right and allowed $3 billion in funds to be given over 10 years to stem cell research facilities, and specifically, embryonic stem cell research. That sparked a number of other states to also propose legislation to fund embryonic stem cell research.
At the federal level, President Bush has faced opposition in Congress. In May 2005, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill allowing federal funds to be used for embryonic stem cell research. Even staunch supporter, Dr. Bill Frist, broke from the Bush camp to support the legislation, saying:
"We should federally fund research only on embryonic stem cells derived from blastocysts left over from fertility therapy, which will not be implanted or adopted but instead are otherwise destined by the parents with absolute certainty to be discarded and destroyed."
Bellomo also addresses the rise and fall of Dr. Hwang Woo Suk, the South Korean researcher who claimed incredible advances in stem cell research and became somewhat of a celebrity in his home country. His promising career came to a crashing halt when it was made public that he had fabricated much of his results and had breached ethical guidelines when he paid women to donate their eggs for embryonic research. Scientists are still trying to decipher what, if any, part of his research is valid and what was fabricated.
Finally, in the third part of the book, Bellomo discusses the promises of therapeutic cloning - when embryonic stem cells are removed from the blastocyst, harvested in a culture dish and then injected with the nucleus from a donor cell so that the cell makes copies of the donor genetic material. Therapeutic cloning offers great potential to generate replacement tissues and organs for illnesses and injuries that currently have no cure and will greatly reduce the rejection rate for patients that need organ transplants. It is thought that if organs and tissues are grown from a patient's own cells, their body will be much less likely to reject the transplant than if that organ was donated by someone else.
Bellomo doesn't shy away from alternatives to embryonic stem cell research, covering briefly the pros and cons of using adult stem cells and germ cells, before tackling some of the key arguments for both sides.
Ethically, conservatives argue that embryonic stem cells are still the foundations of human life and therefore they have a right to life. As James Sherley of MIT says,
"A human life begins when a diploid complement of human DNA is initiated to begin human development. Therefore, a life can be initiated by the fusion of sperm and egg or by the introduction of a diploid nucleus into an enucleated egg (ie cloning)"
James Thomson argues from a different perspective.
"The bottom line is that there are 400,000 frozen embryos in the United States, and a large percentage of those are going to be thrown out. Regardless of what you think the moral status of those embryos is, it makes sense to me that it's a better moral decision to use them to help people than to just throw them out. It's a very complex issue, but to me it boils down to that one thing."
Advancements in cellular research may eventually make therapeutic cloning more acceptable as scientists learn to remove the inner cell mass of a blastocyst without destroying the embryo or as research into how diseases develop helps find cures that don't require such practices. The final chapter offers predictions of where Bellomo sees the progress several years into the future.
While the byline of the book "The facts, the fiction, and the fear driving the greatest scientific, political, and religious debate of our time" suggests that it will tackle the ethical, religious, and political debate on stem cell research, the book only briefly tackles the ethical arguments for each side while focusing on the scientific process, experiments, and funding legislation.
The writing style is accessible and explains the science in clear terms with diagrams. This is a great, matter-of-fact overview of stem cell research that allows its readers to draw their own conclusions based on the facts presented. It will be useful to those looking for a comprehensive introduction to the subject as well as those looking to catch up with the latest research.
The roots of the controversy surrounding it........2006-09-24
THE STEM CELL DIVIDE: THE FACTS, THE FICITON AND THE FEAR DRIVING THE GREATEST SCIENTIFIC, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS DEBATE OF OUR TIME is even more relevant given President Bush's recent veto on the research than when it first appeared, before the fact. It offers a pro/con look at stem cell research, considering both sides as evenly as is possible and considering religious, ethical, and health implications of stem cell potentials. It's a 'must' for any who would survey the research's potential and the roots of the controversy surrounding it.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Excellent as usual.......2006-08-28
The Stem Cell Divide is what I have grown to expect from this author. I find all of the books that I have read written or co-authored with him to be informative, well researched and easy for a non-scientist or student to read. He makes science exciting for the non-scientist.
I like the way that the book does not take sides but delivers the facts and lets the reader come to their own conclusions. The book helps to sort out the media hype, fact from fiction.
I would urge others to read this if they are having trouble understanding what is really going on in the stem cell world.
Are you ready for immortality?.......2006-07-19
It is amazing to find out that we know so much and at the same time so little about stem cells and how they can turn into replacement organs (good) or tumors (definitely bad).
This book explains the miracles, both of nature and science, that we're finally unravelling and made me hopeful that we're on the edge of some great things.
What really grabbed me was the chapter on how we might be able to solve the issue of aging and organ replacement in one sweep, thereby attaining clinical immortality. After that, the sky's the limit.
Dazzling summary of state-of-the-art science.......2006-07-19
Concise, engaging, and surprising free from bias (except a general pro-research slant). The Stem Cell Divide gives a sort of whirlwind tour of the issues, the politics, and the early history of cellular science. To take just 1 example, while I don't yet have any children, I'm convinced after reading this book (and seeing many websites) that banking the cord blood of your children is like taking out extra insurance against possible future disease.
Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.
Download Description
New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.
Customer Reviews:
Moving in many ways.......2007-10-02
I couldn't wait to read this book and am happy I did. Although, after reading it, I decided to put Jodi Picoult away for a bit. I read 4 of her books in a row and they have a way of getting you where it hurts. This book was very well written, as usual. I felt very bad for both sisters. I found myself emotionally tied to the entire family, with the exception of the mother. I felt she was very tunnel visioned and couldn't see Anna as any more than a "donor". All I know is for someone who doesn't cry, I bauled my eyes out at the end.
Loved It.......2007-10-02
I loved this book. fast moving, glib, cerebral, lovely and eloquent Jodi writes with a fierceness and simultaneousl eloquence.
I can't wait for the next book. If it's half as good as this one I'm a new fan.Cat's Cradle
Wow!...again, WOW!.......2007-09-28
I couldn't put this book down. Absolutely riveting. The story is told from each character's point of view. All well done for the most part, although occasionally Anna, the 13-year old, seemed on some level, way too old for her age, i.e. very eloquent at times which seemed a bit unbelievable to me. But maybe Anna's maturity was the point the writer was trying to make. Hint: Don't look to the last chapter until you get there.
A work of art........2007-09-20
An absolute work of art. I do not understand why people are complaining about the ending. Not every story has a happy ending; which is what makes this novel so riveting. It is based on what can happen in real life. Life is not a fairy tale. The novel is written beautifully and keeps the reader intrigued from the first page to the last.
My Sister's Keeper.......2007-09-18
Picoult tackles the touchy subjects of medical and parental ethics in this refreshingly original book about a family dealing with the disease of one of its own. Using multiple characters' thoughts and viewpoints, Picoult portrays the struggles of Kate, a teenager with leukemia, who must rely on her genetically altered younger sister, Anna, to keep her alive through regular blood transfusions and transplants. After years of invasive surgeries, Anna hires a lawyer to gain medical emancipation from her parents so she can stop being the guinea pig for her older sister and finally gain control of her own life. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the two sisters, their brother Jesse, and their parents must essentially choose sides by supporting either Anna or Kate, thus nearly ripping the family apart.
With My Sister's Keeper, Picoult serves up a thought-provoking novel that fairly covers both sides of several hairy issues including genetic alteration, children's rights, and parents' allegiance to their kids. Although this book cannot be labeled as an ethical guidebook in any way, it can and does serve as a mediator between opposing viewpoints surrounding the aforementioned ethical dilemmas. By nature it forces the reader to take sides with or against each character in the book and evaluate one's own values and morals in the process using an intricate plot and intriguing character insight.
Whether one likes the book or not, this book's consequences will be felt by each reader. Although it may never alter the landscape of medical ethics, it has the power to change and shape the thought processes by which doctors and family members make tough decisions. By breaking down the case of Kate and Anna and making it into an emotional tale of family perseverance, everyone who reads this novel must evaluate their stance on each issue, making it more likely they will return to these evaluations in real life situations. Whether dealing with leukemia or a minor moral dillema, Picoult shows the reader how each can affect multiple characters and alter the outcome of a life. The life lessons found in the book can be used long after it has been finished.
Book Description
Americans have become the victims of misinformation about stem cell research. Over the last few years, the stem cell debate has been intensely political, religious, and confusing to many people. Now, Eve Herold explains what this science is all about, who is for and against it, and why it must go forward. She pulls together fascinating stories to highlight every aspect of this multifaceted field. She exposes the politics of stem cell research and demonstrates how the outcome of the debate could ultimately affect all of us. Packed with real-life stories of the people caught up in this groundbreaking struggle, Stem Cell Wars cuts through the noise and sets the standard for future debate.
Customer Reviews:
Inadequate.......2007-03-26
While the theme and argument of the book is easy to agree with (that is if you are not a religious fanatic), it provided insufficient information about what it alleges to provide - the inside stories from Capitol Hill about the debate of this important issue.
Eve Herold starts out by first briefly citing historic examples where religious theologies and ideologies impeded scientific progress. One can literally write volumes about this topic as the sheer number of such examples in history is unfathomable. Hence, it could have been omitted. She provided good, brief explanations and reviews of the science of stem cell research, in language that most laymen can comprehend.
She discusses Bush's policy and only a few inside stories from Washington DC about the politics surrounding this issue, highlighting especially senator Sam Brownback as the biggest fighter against this stem cell research, going as far as sponsoring bills that would criminalize science of stem cell research of any kind! (This theocrat needs to be voted out of office!)
In almost each chapter, Eve Herold covers individual cases of people who could be helped by the science of stem cell research, strengthening her case. Finally, in the last chapters, she covers the Korean controversy in detail and gives a brief overview of current British policy towards stem cell research.
The reason I found it inadequate is because I expected more, as well as, more detailed stories regarding the precise politics of this issue, referring to specific Senators and Congressmen who stand against this vital research. I wanted them to get exposed and get voted out. Being a biologist, I was at times bored reading about the science of it or that religious bigotry prevents this research. Those are well known facts. I wanted more exposure for the fools who stand against it, and I felt to that end it was insufficient. However, for starters, this book is very good and worth the read.
Amazing Book.......2007-02-08
Strongly recommend Stem Cell Wars. Gives a science based report of stem cell research from it's beginnings to the political perils it faces today. Not overly scientific. Very informative while making a strong case for the continuation of the research while not being biased.
War on TERRORble Diseases.......2006-11-14
Stem Cell Wars: InsideStories from the Frontlines by Eve Herold provides an excellent account of the forces that have shaped the delay of meaningful federal funding of stem cell research. It's the first of it's kind to describe the incredible obstacles that stem cell advocates have faced in their eight year fight for future cure, since human embryonic stem cells were first derived by Dr. Jamie Thompson.
Other books have focused on explaining the biology of stem cell research in lay terms, or the religious controversy related to stem cell research. And though Eve Herold's book also describes these aspects of the issues surrounding the immense promise of stem cell research, she devotes a considerable portion of this fascinating book at the crux of the issue: the fact that much needed advances in stem cell research are being held hostage by the absolutist views of a minority of Americans.
The urgency of this next revolution in medicine is revealed in the well-written accounts of the true suffering encountered by fellow advocates who are burdened by various incurable medical conditions.
She also explains that there is great support for embryonic stem cell research among many Christian denominations including the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church. ( I wish she would have added that ironically our current president is a member of the United Methodist Church).
Unfortunately stem cell advocates have been at a disadvantage compared to the well-funded and highly organized anti abortion lobby which has politicized the entire issue. Both Eve's chapters on the hijacking of the issue by the politics of abortion as well as the profound political spin using what she calls "weapons of mass distraction" are a must read for anyone who wants to be fully informed about what has been holding back the research. Meanwhile the relatively new and inexperienced Pro-Cures advocates have had to unite and get "organized" primarily under the banner of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, to battle these obstructionist forces which have even gone as far as trying to criminalize the research at the UN level.
Bernard Siegel of the Genetics Policy institute played a pivotal role in averting that proposed UN ban, while international media seemed unaware of the upcoming UN vote and the profound impact it could have on the average person. His story is one of the highlights of the book
In her closing chapter Eve makes the case for federal regulation of stem cell research to provide ethical oversight as well as to ensure safety associated with cellular transplants.
As a long time stem cell research activist, I have kept up to date on many of the aspects described in Stem Cell Wars and know the content of this book to be very factual. It is an easy read and as patients are still fighting for their lives, I welcome this book as a comprehensive portrayal from the frontlines of what Jon Stewart calls the "War on TERRORble Diseases."
Great read for anyone curious about stem cell research!.......2006-11-03
This is a great book for anyone interested in keeping up with the current political debate on stem cell research. Eve Herold presents the scientific side of the argument without overlooking the emotional overtones of this important issue. Moreover, she presents her points clearly and with respect to the general public who may not be as familiar with the topic as scientific experts.
"Foiling 'Weapons of Mass Deception' Attacks on Stem Cell Research".......2006-10-31
Though issues of war and peace, and the very survival of the United States as a constitutional democracy demand our attention, there are also other important issues - matters relevant to the quality of our lives and health. Stem cell policy is one of these, and has become a focus of considerable political controversy. Every voting citizen deserves the chance to read a clear-eyed introduction to the issues surrounding stem cells in the gritty realm of politics and policy. Eve Herold's "Stem Cell Wars: inside Stories from the Frontline," provides just that opportunity.
Before I say more, I should offer a disclaimer: I've come know the author over the past year or so in her capacity as the director of research, policy, and education for the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI). This kind and thoughtful woman plays a key role in developing programs for conferences which integrate science, policy, and patient advocacy on stem cell research. In the meetings I've attended, she demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues within a broad and humane perspective. And so, I was acquainted with Eve Herold's voice before "hearing" it in print. But my inclination to be favorably disposed towards "Stem Cell Wars," was more than confirmed by reading the book.
"Stem Cell Wars" is written for a general audience in a clear and engaging way. But, it is Herold's passion for the subject, fueled by her deep compassion for individuals suffering from medical conditions that might well benefit from the research that drives this book. She is unapologetic for her sense of outrage at the slight of hand, deception, and disingenuous maneuvering she deplores in the chapter, "Political Spin and Weapons of Mass Distraction." She helps us see more clearly how some opponents to abortion see thwarting embryonic stem cell research as a way to indirectly undermine Roe vs. Wade. And, her first-hand account of the Korean cloning scandal enriches our understanding of this contemporary history.
There is sufficient detail in "Stem Cell Wars," but the reader will never be overwhelmed by it. Herold has a way of lucidly distilling the essence of her arguments.
In addition, George Daly, a prominent stem cell research has written a masterful foreword for the book, which itself, is engaging, and concisely insightful.
"Stem Cell Wars" should help the reader to understand that embryonic stem cell research is not immoral, as claimed by some. On the contrary, as Herold argues, it is morally imperative for us to give this research a chance fulfill its potential to bring better treatments and even cures for conditions that afflict many millions.
If what I have written has not convinced you that this is an important book, please note that several right wing and fundamentalist blogs have been quick to vehemently trash it. It would seem that they really don't want you to read "Stem Cell Wars."
That's understandable I guess. After all, what you don't know can't hurt them.
Book Description
Saving lives versus taking lives: These are the stark terms in which the public regards human embryo research--a battleground of extremes, a war between science and ethics. Such a simplistic dichotomy, encouraged by vociferous opponents of abortion and proponents of medical research, is precisely what Jane Maienschein seeks to counter with this book. Whose View of Life? brings the current debates into sharper focus by examining developments in stem cell research, cloning, and embryology in historical and philosophical context and by exploring legal, social, and ethical issues at the heart of what has become a political controversy.
Drawing on her experience as a researcher, teacher, and congressional fellow, Jane Maienschein provides historical and contemporary analysis to aid understanding of the scientific and social forces that got us where we are today. For example, she explains the long-established traditions behind conflicting views of how life begins--at conception or gradually, in the course of development. She prepares us to engage a major question of our day: How are we, as a 21st-century democratic society, to navigate a course that is at the same time respectful of the range of competing views of life, built on the strongest possible basis of scientific knowledge, and still able to respond to the momentous opportunities and challenges presented to us by modern biology? Maienschein's multidisciplinary perspective will provide a starting point for further attempts to answer this question.
Customer Reviews:
"Conflicting views, evolving dogma on embryos and stem cells" .......2005-08-24
"Whose View of Life?" puts the competing views of life underlying the controversy over embryos and embryonic stem cell research in clear historical context. Dr. Maienschein shows how even strict dogmatic views have evolved under the influence of technology, particularly the ability to visualize the embryo and fetus.
In this regard, it seems to me that such seeing does not necessarily bring philosophical enlightenment.
This excellent book can help clarify one's own thinking on this crucial controversy, as well as better one's understanding of perspectives other than ones own.
Navigating Cloning and Stem Cell Controversies.......2004-03-10
These are highly contentious issues where many have long- and emotionally-held views. Maienschien first puts these issues into historical context. The questions, ethical and moral, that they pose are not really all that new. Through history decisions have been made sometimes on science, sometimes in ignorance, and sometimes in the absence of real understanding.
What comes through is that the science of human development has been an evolving process and, like all of science, it has had no shortage of breakthroughs, brilliant insights, and egos. The bottom line is that science does not yet have all the answers...and in some cases...the answer may not lie in the realm of science.
So what are politicians to do about this. How do they decide? Make law? Balance the competing and strongly-held views on this issue?
By the close of the book we know Maienschein's position, but unlike some who have written in this area, she does not then discount those with whom she disagrees. Rather, she seems to suggest that responsible decisions must always remember that there are those who will disagree with any particular stance. The challenge for our leaders, then, is to make decisions that are "right" and not those that are politically expedient.
An excellent book. Well worth the read.
Customer Reviews:
Struggling to Understand This Book.......2007-01-24
As a person who never studied high school level biology I find this book extremely difficult to follow. A solid background in chemistry seems necessary to fully grasp the concepts being discussed, so I was surprised that the Introduction claims it could be used as a middle-school textbook. Excerpt: "Binding of the dimerized growth factor then stimulates dimerization of the receptor. Dimerization of the receptor activates its own kinase domain, located inside the cell. The receptor, in turn, phosphorylates cytoplasmic signaling proteins that stimulate cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Each growth factor binds to its own specific receptor, which activates a unique set of signaling molecules." Are you getting this? Much new terminology is introduced on each page of the science sections - it is a very dense read. It is, however, full of information, if one is able to decipher it.
Filled with information.......2006-11-17
What are you passionate about? Within many topics there is a certain amount of controversy. In order to have a respectable opinion on any controversial issue, you must know what exactly is in conflict on that particular issue and also have a reasonable amount of background issue to base your beliefs off of and provide evidence of them. If you are interested in stem cell research, a great book for learning the necessary info would be Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications & Ethical Controversy by Joseph Panno, Ph. D. In this review, you will find a chapter by chapter outline of what excelled as well as what was flawed, some background information about the author, as well as other general thoughts and the book's relevance to current events.
The book begins with an introduction to exactly what stem cells are. This is a great place for the book to start as it not only lays down a foundation for the arguments and information that are going to be presented later on in the book, but also introduces stem cells and their ethical controversies to those that may not be entirely familiar with the topic. There are also many helpful diagrams throughout this chapter introducing the names of different cells which will be important in later chapters.
The second chapter deals with human stem cells. This chapter seems more designed for a science buff looking more for info on the scientific aspects of this topic than the ethical ones. Much of the info in this chapter was relatively useless to someone concerned with the ethical controversy and there were many large words and scientific terms that were difficult to keep track of. This however does not make it a bad chapter to all, just les useful to some than others.
The third chapter offers excellent insight on the types of diseases that could be cured using stem cell therapy and how stem cells could cure them. For a book that offers such raw information, it is difficult to not be at least a little intrigued by this information. Whether this is the writing style or just the nature of the info is difficult to say, but the impact is there. This chapter provides quite possibly the strongest argument for those in support of stem cell research.
Chapter four speaks of the commercialization of stem cells. This regards where stem cell research gets its funding more than anything. One may initially wonder why this information is pertinent. When taken into consideration, however, the fact that much of the ethical controversy surrounding the topic comes from the debate over how much government funding should be allocated for the research, then funding becomes a very important issue indeed. There is a lot of info in this chapter one may not have previously thought of, such as ulterior motives of pharmaceutical companies as well as specific examples, such as stock market woes of companies such as Aastrom Biosciences Inc. where a failure to yield results resulted in the decline of shareholder's confidence and eventual decline in value.(p.52)
Chapter five hits directly on many of the difficulties of stem cell research and how its potential may be exaggerated by researchers. The biggest problem deals with the immune system's adverse reaction to foreign stem cells and how many scientists skew reports by using rats that have been genetically engineered to have no immune systems so they accept their stem cells implants. (p. 60) This chapter is a good counterweight to the previous chapter and really points out that the author has a realistic and neutral view on the topic, which is important for writing a definitive informational book on a topic involving ethical controversy.
Chapter six details the ethical controversies of stem cell research. There are many such controversies and involved and it seems as though all the major ones are covered in this section. He does have a tendency to make those opposed to stem cell research sound more ignorant than those in support of it. This could however just be the way I viewed the passages entailed while I was reading them, reflecting my own personal bias on the subject. The one flaw with this chapter would have to be how he often refers to the next chapter on Judicial rulings he mentions in this chapter. This creates distractions from the reading and this chapter and the next chapter probably would have worked better together combined as one rather than separate.
The final chapter in this book deals with the laws that have been passed as well as some of the finer point of debate on the topic. The laws brought up are clear and definitive without being overly wordy, e.g. specific segments of the debate are left out in favor of the conclusions in various courts across the U.S. and Europe.
This book was published in 2005, so it is only a year old and virtually all relevant information is still pertinent within the ethical debates and also within the scientific community to this day. The fact that it analyzed not only what both sides have to say about the controversy in general, but also the laws that were passed regarding them and in several different countries no less was truly beyond expectations. Additionally, the author has solid credentials on the subject so one can feel secure in the accuracy of the info. "Joseph Panno, Ph.D., holds a degree in biology from Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, and specializes in molecular biology and physiology. He has taught a variety of undergraduate biology courses and published in numerous peer-reviewed publications including Cytometry and Molecular Brain Research." (1) He also has recently published an entire series of books involving current biological issues, Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications & Ethical Controversy being volume one in "The New Biology" series.
As a general rule when choosing a book, you must choose what you hope to get out of the book. This book offers a broad topic in its title, Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications & Ethical Controversy. As a result, one would expect to find a wealth of information regarding this subject in a book with such a title, and the book doesn't fail to live up to such a lofty claim. Therefore, if one were to decide that they wanted to become very knowledgeable on all matters involving stem cells in 90 pages, this book would not disappoint. The book doesn't offer opinion pieces on the subject however, but the reading of opinion pieces on a subject should generally be viewed as inferior when viewed in contrast against raw information and being given the opportunity to freely make one's own mind up about an issue.
Basically, this book is great for anyone who is interested in stem cell research and has very few flaws to be concerned about. Every chapter provides solid information, it is all up to date, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more qualified author. In the end, how you use this information is up to you.
Want to understand the Stem Cell Research controversy?.......2006-07-11
Want to understand the Stem Cell Research controversy? This is the book! It is not overly technical so the average layman can understand the issues.
Vol 1 of a 6 volume lecture series.......2005-08-05
Stem cells have numerous medical applications. Stems are capable of being renewed and can be continueously cultured in a undifferentiated state. In close proximity stems cells sponstanteously differentiate into heart, liver, bone marrow, blood vessels, pancreatic islet, or nerve cells. Scientist are learn how to control differentiate of these specialized cells.
There are two types of stem cell: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. embryonic stem cells differiante into a wider range of cells and scientists have isolated factors at origin, such that, they can grow a kidney externally and transplate it back into a cow. The kidney functions correctly.
Technical barriers. The author does an provide an interesting view into the technical barriers that must be understood before stem cells can repair spinal injuries. Panno tell the reader, the neuron has dendrites that connect to other terminal connectors and the the electrical impulse travels down an insulated axon. The axon is insultated by a myleon sheath cell and the regenerative stem cell technology must differentiate too rebuild the neuron, oligodendrocytes, the swann cell and the sheath cell. The composition of these different cells must integrate correctly and connect sending an accurate signal. Inside the Axon membrane the signal is negative; Na+ and K+ chemical reacts cause and positive electric charge. Inside the Axon the charge is negative, in a rest state. When the dendrite membrane is distrubed or stimulated, the Sodium gate opens and these positively charged NA (Sodium) ions flood in creating a positive charge. Next the K (Potassium) gate opens, the K diffuse out, the membrane becomes negative. The charges must hit certain threshhold before the connecting dendrites will start their chemical reactions creating a positive impulse. The myelin sheath increases the speed of the impulse. A sodium channel at the end of the synaptic vesicles release Ca (Sodium).
So the author does reduce the optimism of the reader into thinking the Stem Cell can solve all biological injuries or problems.
Adult Stem cells. Adult Stem cells are undifferentiated that exist among differented cells. The Adult stem cell is unlike embryonic stem cells found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. The adult stem cell purpose is to repair damaged tissue. Scientist are finding adult stem cells in a number of different tissues: brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin and liver. Adult stem cells have been harvested, multipled and used to fix a number of damaged tissues.
Bone marrow has two types of stem cell: 1) hematopoietic stem cells, forms all the types of blood cells 2) stromal cells generate bone, cartilage, fat, and fibrous connective tissue.
Brain has stem cells capable to generating the brain's three major cell types: astrocytes (neural tissue) and oligodendrocytes (A cell that provides insulation to nerve cells by forming a myelin sheath around axons) , and neurons.
Plasticity. Scientist manipulate adult stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types by the use of growth factors. Growth factors are proteins and these proteins signal the adult stem cell too differentiate into a specific type of cell.
For example, adult stem cell may be harvested and differianted to develope insulin-producing cells for type I, for individuals with diabetes. Adult stem cells exhibit plasticity meaning they can be introduced into a damaged tissue and the stem cell may differentiate into cardiac muscle. Another area to fix is Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is caused by a progressive degeneration and loss of dopamine (DA)-producing neurons, which leads to tremor, rigidity, and hypokinesia (abnormally decreased mobility). It is thought that PD may be the first disease to be amenable to treatment using stem cell transplantation. Factors that support this notion include the knowledge of the specific cell type (DA neurons) needed to relieve the symptoms of the disease. In addition, several laboratories have been successful in developing methods to induce embryonic stem cells to differentiate into cells with many of the functions of DA neurons.
Adult Stem Cells have the plasticity to differiate into the follow types of cells:
Hematopoietic stem cells produce: red blood cells, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, and platelets.
Bone marrow stromal cells produce: bone cells (osteocytes), cartilage cells (chondrocytes), fat cells (adipocytes), and other kinds of connective tissue cells such as those in tendons.
Neural stem cells in the brain produce three major cell types: neurons,astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.
Epithelial stem cells produce: absorptive cells, goblet cells, Paneth cells, and enteroendocrine cells.
Skin stem cells produce: keratinocytes (the protective layer of skin). The follicular stem cells produce hair follicles.
Book Description
Human embryonic stem cells can divide indefinitely and have the potential to develop into many types of tissue. Research on these cells is essential to one of the most intriguing medical frontiers, regenerative medicine. It also raises a host of difficult ethical issues and has sparked great public interest and controversy.
This book offers a foundation for thinking about the many issues involved in human embryonic stem cell research. It considers questions about the nature of human life, the limits of intervention into human cells and tissues, and the meaning of our corporeal existence. The fact that stem cells may be derived from living embryos that are destroyed in the process or from aborted fetuses ties the discussion of stem cell research to the ongoing debates on abortion. In addition to these issues, the essays in the book touch on broader questions such as who should approve controversial research and what constitutes human dignity, respect, and justice. The book contains contributions from the Ethics Advisory Board of the Geron Coroporation; excerpts from expert testimony given before the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, which helped shape recent National Institutes of Health policy; and original analytical essays on the implications of this research.
Customer Reviews:
Bought for a class, but pretty interesting.......2006-03-17
I bought this book for a class, but it's pretty interesting anyway. The Catholic viewpoints in here are a bit... unrepresentative, though. The Jewish viewpoints were very enlightening.
It's a start, but where's the debate?.......2002-01-04
Holland et al. created a good introduction to the public policy and science behind the current embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) debate, but while this book has "debate" in its title, there was little material disagreement between most of the contributors. A more robust, representative exchange of ideas would have made this book 5-star material.
The book is divided into several themes.The first three chapters are on the basic science and history of stem cell research, and the editors' choice of contributors is impeccable: they include James Thomson, who first isolated human embryonic stem cells, and Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of Geron Corp., which is the private firm that has spearheaded the development of Thomson's discoveries.
The second section segues from history to public policy and ethics, including analyses of the National Bioethics Advisory Committee's report on stem cells in 1999. This by and large was a good introduction to how the government, and specifically the Clinton administration, began to respond to stem cells. Erik Parens has a good article on how people tried to differentiate between the morality of experimenting on embryos from IVF clinics and embryos made specifically for research, and a few other dilemmas stemming from current human embryonic stem cell (hES) sources and protocols.
We then go into the third section, which contains religious perspectives on ESCR. This is where I found the term "debate" a misnomer, as for the exception of Gilbert Meilaender, a Protestant thelogian, all the religious commentators tried to show how their traditions could tolerate, if not actively approve of, ESCR. Now I know that many religious people approve of ESCR, but the deafening silence on the opposition's part (excepting Dr. Meilaender's rather short piece) concerns me. Ironically, in the following section, sociologists Paul Root Wolpe and Glenn McGee note that the majority of the ESCR dialogue has been within a scientific community with an active interest in promoting ESCR. This seems to be just the case in this book.
The fourth chapter is a public policy section, with the aforementioned good essay by Wolpe and McGee on the nature of the ESCR debate. The essays treat issues like whether pressure will be exerted on women in fertility clinics to donate unused embryos to labs, whether the poor will get stem cell therapy, government oversight, and several other practical concerns that must be addressed if one promotes ESCR and any future applications it may bring. A few essays bear particular note: throughout the debates on ESCR in past three years 1999, I didn't hear much of the minority or feminist viewpoint on ESCR, so the opinions of Suzanne Holland (who appears earlier in Section II), Margaret McLean, and Cynthia Cohen were particularly handy. Thomas Shannon had some good points about whether the ESCR funding would deprive people of more basi public health programs.
On the whole, this is a useful book, but I suggest that in addition to reading the thoughts in this volume, you should check out Richard Doerflinger, the research ethics group Do No Harm or some of the others who oppose embryonic research. If this book were to do justice to both sides, it would be a truly first-class resource.
It's a start, but where's the debate?.......2002-01-04
Holland et al. created a good introduction to the public policy and science behind the current embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) debate, but while this book has "debate" in its title, there was little material disagreement between most of the contributors. A more robust, representative exchange of ideas would have made this book 5-star material.
The book is divided into several themes.The first three chapters are on the basic science and history of stem cell research, and the editors' choice of contributors is impeccable: they include James Thomson, who first isolated human embryonic stem cells, and Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of Geron Corp., which is the private firm that has spearheaded the development of Thomson's discoveries.
The second section segues from history to public policy and ethics, including analyses of the National Bioethics Advisory Committee's report on stem cells in 1999. This by and large was a good introduction to how the government, and specifically the Clinton administration, began to respond to stem cells. Erik Parens has a good article on how people tried to differentiate between the morality of experimenting on embryos from IVF clinics and embryos made specifically for research, and a few other dilemmas stemming from current human embryonic stem cell (hES) sources and protocols.
We then go into the third section, which contains religious perspectives on ESCR. This is where I found the term "debate" a misnomer, as for the exception of Gilbert Meilaender, a Protestant thelogian, all the religious commentators tried to show how their traditions could tolerate, if not actively approve of, ESCR. Now I know that many religious people approve of ESCR, but the deafening silence on the opposition's part (excepting Dr. Meilaender's rather short piece) concerns me. Ironically, in the following section, sociologists Paul Root Wolpe and Glenn McGee note that the majority of the ESCR dialogue has been within a community with an active interest in promoting ESCR. This seems to be just the case in this book.
The fourth chapter is a public policy section, with the aforementioned good essay by Wolpe and McGee on the nature of the ESCR debate. The essays treat issues like whether pressure will be exerted on women in fertility clinics to donate unused embryos to labs, whether the poor will get stem cell therapy, government oversight, and several other practical concerns that must be addressed if one promotes ESCR and any future applications it may bring. During the height of the ESCR debate, I didn't hear much of the minority or feminist viewpoint on ESCR, so the opinions of Suzanne Holland (who appears earlier in Section II), Margaret McLean, and Cynthia Cohen were particularly handy.
On the whole, this is a useful book, but I suggest that in addition to reading the thoughts in this volume, you should check out Richard Doerflinger, the research ethics group Do No Harm or some of the others who oppose embryonic research. If this book were to do justice to both sides, it would be a much better resource.
Must read on timely issue.......2001-11-03
Stem cells- the leading newspaper topic before the September 11 horrors and a topic to which we are of necessity returning. This book is an amazingly readable compilation of information on the science, the positions. the impact of the research (or failure to do the research),and the pros and cons of regulation. In a time when not only the government's but also the public's views on this issue are in a constant state of review, these editors have managed to pull together a collection that will not become a stale item, even though addressing a "hot" topic. The selections are ones that someone without medical or research scientist training can readily understand, yet not simplistic to the extent of ever bordering on boring. Truly a must read.
Book Description
Discussions and debates over the medical use of stem cells and cloning have always had a religious component. But there are many different religious voices. This anthology on how religious perspectives can inform the difficult issues of stem cell research and human cloning is essential to the discussion. Contributors reflect the spectrum of Christian responses, from liberal Protestant to evangelical to Roman Catholic. The noted moral philosopher, Laurie Zoloth, offers a Jewish approach to cloning, and Sondra Wheeler contributes her perspective on both Jewish and Christian understandings of embryonic stem cell research.
In addition to the discussions found here, GOD AND THE EMBRYO includes a series of official statements on stem cell research and cloning from religious bodies, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church in America, the United Methodist Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America. "Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry," from the statement of the President's Council on Bioethics, concludes the book.
The debates and the discussions will continue, but for anyone interested in the nuances of and religious perspectives that make their important contributions to these ethically challenging and important dialectics, GOD AND THE EMBRYO is an invaluable resource.
Customer Reviews:
Very complete.......2005-12-09
The book is a series of articles from religious scholars about the subjects of cloning and stem cell research. It is not a book about attacking these subjects, which was a treat for me. Some of the scholars are long winded, and I avoided those articles. If you are doing a research paper on this subject this is a perfect book to have to learn the various religious points of view of the major faiths.
Medley of perspectives.......2005-07-29
This book had its genesis in a 2001 seminar called "The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, " but includes follow-up essays dealing with later developments. It tries to catch a fast moving ball on the hop. The pivotal point in this book is the moral status of the embryo up to 14 days by which time the individuality of the embryo has become clear beyond all doubt. Up to that point identical twins or triplets can spring from one embryo, and two embryos can merge to develop into one. Different conclusions emerge depending on whether one places the emphasis on potential or on individuality. On the one hand, the early embryo is potentially a fully developed human being, whether identical twinning takes place afterwards or not. Must we not, therefore, refuse the option of using an embryo as a disposable object of manipulation, no matter how good the intention? On the other hand, if the embryo is capable of becoming two embryos, individuality has not yet appeared. Can one then argue from personhood? If not, is it wrong to generate embryos in vitro and to destroy them at this early stage with the intention of developing new cures?
A new dimension adding intensity to the debate is the recent discovery of the possibility of therapeutic cloning which is a combination of the processes of cloning and stem-cell technology: a cell from the body of the patient is transformed into the (moral?) equivalent of a fertilized egg; this egg divides to the point where stem cells can be harvested; these can be transformed into specialized cells potentially suitable for repairing organs. Therapeutic cloning necessarily means the creation and subsequent destruction of embryos. The question of their moral status is critical to any ethical consideration.
All of the contributors to this book would agree with the Pontifical Academy of Life statement of August 2000: the living embryo from the moment of the union of the gametes ... cannot be considered as `a simple mass of cells.' All agree that this special conjunction of cells is worthy of respect, but to what degree? Most would not accept as absolute the Academy's argument from identity and individuality: that before 14 days the embryo is `a human subject with a well defined identity, which from that point [of conception] begins its own coordinated, continuous and gradual development ... From this it follows that as a "human individual" it has the right to its own life.'
One paper argues that the context of the genesis of the embryo (in utero or in vitro), including the intention, affects the status society gives the embryo. For another contributor, to create and destroy an embryo for the purpose of establishing a new stem-cell line is morally wrong, but, using the principle of `nothing is lost,' the use of excess embryos as a by-product of in vitro fertilization could be justified. Considering the status of the early embryo as uncertain, another contributor balances possible malfeasance against the `beneficence,' of possible cures, and chooses for the latter, given that God's desire is for healing and health. Another position favours the safer approach with a chapter entitled: "To be willing to kill what for all one knows is a person is to be willing to kill a person." A broader justice perspective suggests embryonic stem-cell research should be limited to non-human embryos, and that we should concentrate on the development of cures for other diseases that affect a greater number of people around the world.
Some lacunae in this book might deprive the reader of a broader, and therefore more accurate, picture. The route of adult stem cells research, though mentioned in passing, is not sufficiently explored as a way of bypassing the moral dilemmas associated with embryonic stem-cell research. Given such an available route, plus the availability of non-human embryonic experimentation, the moral arguments for therapeutic cloning given in the book might be less convincing. Also not treated adequately, though mentioned in passing, are the inevitable major problems associated with introducing specialized cells derived from stem cells into the organs of patients; this process will involve experimentation on children and adults and is fraught with major ethical problems. Missing also is a moral consideration of the economic motive for therapeutic cloning with its accompanying ethically dubious public relations strategies. Finally, the symbolic/cultural aspects could be further developed, though Cole-Turner's insightful opening chapter, "Religion meets Research" does allude to culture; even the thought of the possibility of cloning changes our shared perception of what it is to be human with consequences for how we relate to each other.
This book does not fail in its intention, namely to inform the reader of a wide range of opinions, and to offer an imaginative reflection on the role of religious tradition in this debate. Church leaders, conscientious scientists, and public policy makers would do well to read this book if they wish to move from the present political stalemate that has mostly resulted by default in an unregulated free for all in such an important field.
Conall O'Cuinn SJ
Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality
Ethics In the Face of Uncertainties.......2004-10-11
This book is a well done collection of essays on the controversial subject of stem cells and cloning from various religious perspectives.
While all were fascinating to read, several caught my attention.
Especially Fitzgerald's, the main subject of his essay being the title chosen for this review. He makes the salient point that there are pervading issues of uncertainty on this controversial issue of stem cell research, especially in the two areas that some would make it seem it's a slam dunk: scientific and medical. What is not told enough to the general public about this issue is that there are equally if not more promising technologies out there to benefit disease and suffering than stem cell. Further, he shows how some of the previous track record of science in promising huge societal returns if society will only let science take the ethical risks have not only not fulfilled their beneficial promises, but have brought about tragic and troubling ethical/medical results. He further intimates that the results of some already stem cell research has brought more opening of "ethical can of worms" than it has solved. These need to be thought out, and he argues convincingly that science needs to provide more justification for such contentious reserach before gaining go ahead approval. Just playing the old "religion vs. science" card doesn't fit here, nor should it be played.
Many other essayists bring out what is not really being discussed enough: source of stem cells. In vitro has allowed a supposed research population, with too much assumption about "eggs ready for research". Possibly this is area that society has a whole has been too uninformed and needs to reconsider. The supposed right to have a child at any cost mentality and ethic that has spurned such an industry and frozen embryo population has brought about this bioethic dillemma,now seeping into stem cell and cloning. James Peterson gives an insightful essay into this source issue.
The highly fluid discussion of any moral status the embryo might have is engaged uniquely by Brent Waters. He suggests we turn to a most useful concept is our judging of this" our neighbor.
Since this issue is in the news and the 2004 Presidential election, citizens interested in various religious views will be served well with this work. It includes some major religious confessional bodies' statement as well as the President's Council of Bioethics statement as well appendixed.
Product Description
We are standing at the threshold of a new and exciting medical era-an era of regeneration, rejuvenation, and renewal in which stems cells will set the stage for healing and in some cases, the restoration of injured, diseased, and debilitated tissues and organ. While stem cell therapy is still in its infancy, the field is rich with promise. The debate over the use of embryonic stem cells and the questionable effectiveness of adult stem cells have led many scientists and clinicians to concentrate their energies on umbilical-cord-derived stem cells from healthy newborn babies. While these cells are technically classifed as "adult stem cells," they appear to have greater restorative and regenerative potential than stem cells derived from adult tissues due to their young age. Human umbilical-cord stem cells (hUCSCs) have demonstrated great efficacy in promoting the healing of many conditions. In the last decade or so, pure cord-blood stem cells have been used by physcians to treat a mulitude of intractable diseases such as progressive multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, certain degenerative eye disorders, stroke, diabetes, and various forms of heart disease. While certainly no cure all, umbilical-cord stem cell therapy appears to be amassing a respectable track record in terms of both safety and clinical utility. In "Umblical Cord Stem Cell Therapy: The Gift of Healing from Health Newborns", Drs. steenblock and Payne share some of the science that underlies stem cell therapy and put a human face on this field with accounts of people who have benefited from hUCSC treatments. And, in providing this information, they encourage readers to take that bold first step into this vast and wondrous medical frontier.
Customer Reviews:
Well written and factual........2006-08-16
Stem Cells derived from Human Umbilical Cord blood are safe, ethical and have great promise to help with those disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy, for which no cure exists today. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down and am waiting for the sequel to be published!
A book I couldn't put down.......2006-08-02
I received this book as a gift and once I began reading it, could not put it down. I learned so much about stem cells and especially cord blood and cord blood stem cells, as well as how these cells are helping sick children and adults get better. It's been over 50 years since I graduated college and my science knowledge is definitely rusty, but I had no problem keeping up with everything in "Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy". It is very, very well written and structured and gets to the point. Since I have an eye condition, I especially enjoyed reading how nurse Ruth got a turnaround in her diabetic retinopathy after a single cord stem cell treatment. I am now thinking of mailing a copy off to my representatives in Washington, DC along with a note urging them to put more tax dollars into research involving cord blood stem cells for macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury (Ills covered in this fine book by Dr. Steenblock and Dr. Payne).
A joy to read.......2006-07-19
This is a smartly written book I enjoyed thoroughly. I hope the publishing house is considering putting out an expanded 2nd edition.
Concise, Easy Read.......2006-07-15
I commend the authors for cranking out an easy-to-read, well organized book that covers the bases beautifully. I have family in the Army in Iraq and especially appreciated the chapter on how cord blood stem cells might help soldiers who suffer brain damage in the field. This sounds like something our politicans & FDA need to get behind.
Cool Book!.......2006-07-02
This book worked for me. It was easy-to-read, well-written and filled with info and patient stories that are very moving.
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Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Frontlines
The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, the Fiction, And the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political And Religious Debate of Our Time
Culturing Life: How Cells Became Technologies
Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications And Ethical Controversy (The New Biology)
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