Ethicist says little evidence embryonic stem cells hold key to cures

Published: 2005-10-31

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CNS) -- Claims about the promise of embryonic stem-cell research "are simply unsubstantiated," a leading scientist and ethicist told an interfaith Breakfast for Life Oct. 19 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. "At this point in time there is little evidence of the effectiveness of embryonic stem cells," said David A. Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the Family Research Council in Washington and a founding member of Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics. "Proponents have yet to take even one dish of embryonic stem cells and have these cells change into one specific cell, i.e., a heart cell or brain cell," he said. "Based on experiments to date, it's not safe to even try and apply them to patients. "The bottom line is that our real promise lies not in the use of embryonic stem cells but with adult stem cells," Prentice added. "Adult stem cells are today already at work in patients. I can document, through published scientific papers, with over 65 human diseases, where patients are better already, having been effectively treated through adult stem cells."

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