The Usual Stem-Cell Fog

Rich Donors Help Calif. Fund Stem Cell Research by Sonya Geis on A2 does the usual job of leaving readers in the dark about the overwhelming advantage in research and therapy possessed by adult stem cells compared to embryonic work. My favorite quote:

Dale Carlson, spokesman for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, called recent developments ironic. "The strategy of the folks that are opposing [stem cell research] -- the folks that are suing us, for example -- is to starve the research for stem cells, especially human embryonic stem cells. Instead, the amount of private money that's going into stem cell research is breathtaking," he said.

I'd be surprised if Carlson could find a single foundation, attorney or blogger suing anyone to stop stem cell research. And "especially human embryonic stem cells" doesn't cover it, and the Post shouldn't let Carlson get away with it.  That's what happens, though, when the Post's understanding of the topic allows Geis to write this:

Federal dollars may be spent only for research on the few stem cell lines obtained from embryos that were destroyed by Aug. 9, 2001. The federal government also funds research on stem cells that come from adults, but scientists prize embryonic stem cells' ability to transform into any type of cell in the body, including blood, organs and bones.

It's almost as if Geis has never heard of research showing non-embryonic stem cells can do the same thing. Which is possible, since the Post's lead reporter in this field, Rick Weiss, fails to cover it.

Comments

[Ann Miller]

Exactly who appointed Carlson to this position? It is a good job for a lobbyist. Non Profit donations cannot be traced when it comes to Campaign Finance Reform.