Hard Evidence of the Benefits of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Researchers have recently reported that human embryonic stem cells may have helped patients suffering from progressive forms of blindness regain their vision. This report is particularly significant in that it is the first time the public has seen the potential benefits of embryonic stem cell research in humans, rather than merely in the laboratory or on animals.

While the leading researcher, Stephen J. Schwartz, professor of ophthalmology at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, stresses that the findings are preliminary, he is still energized about the prospects of further research. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about this,” Schwartz said.

Embryonic stem cell research involves the extraction of a stem cell from an embryo at such an early stage of development that the cell has the potential to become any type of cell. The use of stem cells could potentially treat many serious diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries.

However, political controversies over embryonic stem cell research have prevented consistent federal funding of this promising research. Ever since embryonic stem cells were discovered in 1998, federal funding of the research has been set through executive order, not law, which means that the policy has changed under each new administration. Currently, President Obama’s executive order allows for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, but only a law passed by Congress can ensure that the research can continue over the long term and as presidents change.

In the last two months, nearly 200 Reform Jewish teens have explored the issue of embryonic stem cell research at the RAC’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminars, and many have chosen to lobby their members of Congress to support the Stem Cell Research Advancement Act (HR 2376). It is our hope that persistent and passionate advocacy from our L’Taken participants and others will result in the passage of the Stem Cell Research Advancement Act so that news like the recently reported results in the human blindness study can become more common.

For more information about embryonic stem cell research, please visit the RAC’s resource page or contact me.

Photo courtesy of npr.org