RJA #15 Reflection

This has been an interesting class for me this semester and I appreciate what I have learned. As difficult as it was for me sometimes I am grateful to have learned so much about sources available on the Internet, especially with regards to search engines. I can’t even begin to say how much I have and will continue to utilize the delicious bookmarking and zakta websites in my future work both for school and also in my career.

I have dedicated a lot of time to this class this semester, but I have truly enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I have had. I have particularly enjoyed sharing some of these useful Internet tools with my kids who are also getting their degrees.

I had a lot of fun learning about stem cell therapy as my topic of study. I had no real knowledge of stem cells and so I did a lot of research in order to grasp an understanding of what stem cells were capable of and why they are so controversial. I enjoyed the research part of the project probably more than the actual writing but I learned a great deal which I hope to be able to keep up with and share with others.

RJA #14b:Application Project References

Cell Medicine. (2007, July 28). Adult stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy. [Video file] Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egRxgUXDN4Y

Cell Medicine. (2004-2008). Stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy. Cell Medicine.

[Web] Retrieved 24 March 2010, from http://www.cellmedicine.com/cerebralpalsy.asp

H. Covington, personal communication, March 24, 2010.

Kids Health Online Magazine. (2009, April). Cerebral Palsy. Reviewed by S. J. Bachrach, MD. [Web] Retrieved 20 April 2010, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/cerebral_palsy.html

XCell-Center at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. (2007-2010). Overview of our stem cell treatment. Adult stem cell therapy. [Web] Retrieved 5 April 2010, from http://www.xcell- center.com/treatments/overview.aspx

RJA #14a: Project Progress Report

I am planning to write a newspaper article for my application project. The article will be centered on the personal interview I did with Drew Covington. Drew suffers with cerebral palsy and though he has some mild physical problems from the disease, he mainly suffers with brain function. In the article I will review what cerebral palsy is, what types of problems Drew suffers from and why stem cells treatment is an option that he and his parents have chosen to do.

So far I have outlined the basic topics I want to cover in my newspaper article. I have the draft in the form I want it in and I have written some of the text. I have also found the five sources I will be using.

I would like to get a picture of Drew, since he will be the focus of the article. I have to continue the writing of the draft and I need to do the essay for the project and learn about APA formatting style.

RJA #13c: Application Project Example

Major Grant Will Facilitate Cord Blood Research for Cerebral Palsy at Duke University

Posted: Mar 18, 2010

The Robertson Foundation has given $10.2 million to Duke University that will help facilitate studies evaluating cord blood stem cells infusions for newborns with various conditions including brain injuries suffered at birth, like cerebral palsy, as well as congenital heart disease and forms of cancer.

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, director of Duke’s Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, and her research team have spent decades investigating the therapeutic use of umbilical cord blood stem cells.

“The emerging field of regenerative medicine has great promise, and this generous gift will accelerate the pace of Dr. Kurtzberg’s and other Duke scientists’ world-renowned, translational work in cell therapies,” said Dr. Victor Dzau, chief executive of the Duke University Health System.

Umbilical cord blood stem cells, normally discarded after birth, have the ability to grow and develop into various types of cells throughout the body. They can be harvested after birth and stored for future transplant in patients with many types of blood disorders, and increasingly, other diseases as well.

“Dr. Kurtzberg’s research reflects the kind of transformational science that has the potential to change the lives of thousands of people throughout the country and around the world,” Julian Robertson, of the Robertson Foundation, said in a statement.

“This gift comes at such an important time because it will enable us to move forward with the first placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in children with (cerebral palsy) that has been specifically designed to answer key questions about the efficacy of cord blood treatments in children with this condition,” Kurtzberg said in a statement.

This particular example of a newspaper article helped me to realize that newspaper articles need to be effective and concise in their wording. Each paragraph should contain elements of interest without lengthy verbage. The title needs to be eye catching and the piece packed with information that leaves the reader wanting to know more about the story being told. I chose this piece specifically because it deals with stem cell therapy and cerebral palsy which is what my article is dealing with as well. I also think having a small photo with the article adds a nice touch, something that people will stop to look at but which does not add length to the piece.

RJA #13b: Application Project

I plan to write a newspaper article focusing on stem cell therapy and cerebral palsy. Since my primary research was an interview dealing with a young boy, Drew Covington, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is going to have stem cell therapy done at the XCell Center in Germany this July, I thought this would make a good newspaper piece. In the article I will focus on Drew and what kinds of problems he is faced with because of his cerebral palsy. Why his parents chose to go ahead with stem cell therapy and what was necessary for them to do in order to be accepted into the program at the XCell Center. The article will touch on what kind of procedure is done at the center for their cerebral palsy patients and what Drew may or may not expect from his treatment there.

RJA #13a: Word Cloud

RJA #12b: Field Research Report

My stem cell therapy research paper included 2 primary resources. I first interviewed a family that has a child with Cerebral Palsy. Most of the information was gathered from his mother. Her son, Drew is undergoing stem cell therapy in Germany in July he is 10.

I asked her the following questions:

Why have you and your husband decided to have Drew undergo this therapy?

What made you think the XCell Center in Germany was a good choice?

What type of Cerebral Palsy does Drew suffer from?

What symptoms of his Cerebral Palsy are you hoping to see improvements in?

Did you first talk to any medical professional about doing this treatment?

What did his doctor say, did he know of the XCell Center?

What kinds of tests did he have to undergo to be eligible for the program?

Where did he do the tests, how long did it take for the center to let you know you had been approved?

How expensive is the treatment, how long will you have to be there?

What exactly is the treatment that they will perform on Drew?

What have you told him about the treatment?

Did you feel the center was realistic about what he/you might expect from this treatment?

My second primary resource was an interview with Dr. Steven Grover, head of the OBGYN Center at Skyridge Medical Center. My questions to Dr. Grover dealt with the banking of umbilical cord blood.

I asked him the following questions:

What is you opinion of cord blood banking?

How many of your patients do cord blood banking?

What is the cost to bank the cord blood cells?

Do you think the cost is too high?

Do you think the cost is reasonable?

Have you ever banked cord blood for your children?

Do you recommend to your patients to bank their child’s cord blood?

Do you think it is wise to bank these cells?

What do you see happening with cord blood cells for the future?

Do you think cord blood banking would save lives?

RJA #12a: Annotated Bibliography, Part 3

Moran. Nulala. “Induced Stem Cells can’t Replace Embryonic Ones.” Science Business: Connecting Buyers and Sellers of Emerging Technologies. 25 February 2010. Science Business Publishing Ltd. 2010. http://bulletin.sciencebusiness.net/ebulletins/showissue.php3? page=/548/art/17037

Nulala Moran is the Senior Editor of the Science Business online magazine. In this article Moran discusses the differences between induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells. She discounts that iPS cells will at any time soon be able to replace embryonic stem cells in research methods or in therapy. While they do have an important place in research there is still much more research to be done. Interestingly enough much of that research to help iPS cells to achieve their hoped for potential involves using embryonic stem cells to test them.

“Bone Marrow Transplant.” Medline Plus. Encyclopedia. National Institutes of Health. 23 March 2010. Web. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003009.ht

This reference article takes one through the steps of bone marrow transplants from beginning to end. It sites the use of autologous stem cells as well as donor stem cells and the difference between them. The use of chemotherapy and the risks involved in that procedure as well as the fear of graft-versus-host-disease. It is a very good reference article.

Boyles, Salynn. “Stem Cell Treatment for Leukemia Improved.” Cancer Health Center. WebMD Health News. 19 January 2010. 2005-2010 WebMD, LLC. Web. http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20100119/stem-cell-leukemia-treatment-improved

In this article the use of cord blood for leukemia transplant patients is reviewed. The researchers at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson’s Caner Center have found that the use of manipulated cord blood cells have helped to decrease the recovery period and reduce infection-related deaths in transplant patients. It is also noted that cord blood has an advantage over bone marrow for patients because they do not need to be perfectly matched to the patient.

BBC News. “Stem Cell Tourism in Germany.” 23 June 2009. Video. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8115881.stm

This video done by the BBC News goes into detail concerning some of the centers offering stem cell therapies around the world. Some doctors refer to these centers as middle-men selling cells,. This video discounts much of what goes on in this centers and that they pray on the hopes of those that are ill or injured. The charge large sums of money and give the patient very little in the way of scientific evidence that their therapies will work.

Stem Cell Basics: “What are Stem Cells and Why are They Important? ” Stem Cell Basics. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2009. Web. http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp

The National Institutes of Health offers a great deal of information in their stem cell basics. These pages are filled with updated information about what stem cells are what therapies they are being tested to help and what risks are involved. They cover the ethics of stem cell research and are very readable and very thorough.

Krassowska, Anna, PhD. “Company and Regulatory Agency Define Path to Re-Initiate Human Trial for Spinal Cord Injury.” Geron and FDA Reach Agreement on Clinical Hold. Geron Corporation News Release.30 October 2009. Web. http://www.geron.com/media/pressview.aspx?id=1195

Geron Corporation is the only company that has been able to conduct their own embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. They are funded by private funds so they did not have to depend on any help from the government, therefore they did not have to follow the same guidelines. In 2009, they had reached a milestone in their research and was approved by the FDA to proceed with human clinical trials on spinal cord injury patients. Before they could get started however, the FDA found some problems in their preliminary tests with animals and put a hold on the human trials. This article discusses the problems that surrounded those tests. The FDA has not lifted the ban and has made no comment about when they might do so.

Glover, Joel C. “Can We Use Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Brain and Spinal Cord Injury and Disease." Stem Cells, Human Embryos and Ethics. Springer 2008. 57-62. Print.

In this particular chapter Glover states the seriousness of spinal cord injury as he talks about the numbers of injured persons each year and the cost that goes with this type of injury. He goes into detail about how the spinal cord works and what happens when an injury occurs. He goes into to good detail and the informational content is very interesting.

Robinson, B.A. “Therapeutic Cloning: How it is done; possible benefits. Religious Tolerance.org. Copyright 2000-2005. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Updated 29 October 2005. Web. http://www.religioustolerance.org/clo_ther.htm

This article by B. A. Robinson takes on the task of reviewing the advantages and disadvantages to therapeutic cloning. In it he takes on the task of explaining what cloning is, and how therapeutic cloning takes place. He explains why people are interested in therapeutic cloning as a means of treatment for medical procedures and also what the possible benefits are for such procedures. Equal time is spent discussing the problems of therapeutic cloning and the ethical debates that surround it as well.

“Overview of our Stem Cell Treatment.” XCell-Center at the Institute for RegenerativeMedicine. Adult Stem Cell Therapy. 2007-2010. Web.

http://www.xcell-center.com/treatments/overview.aspx

The information gathered from the XCell-Center in Cologne, Germany concerns primarily the treatments done at the center for cerebral palsy patients. The center does not provide scientific data on their treatments but mainly the types of stem cells that are used and under what conditions the treatments are done . There are many testimonials given both in writing and as videos from those who have received treatment at the center and have had positive results.

“Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy.” Cell Medicine. 2004-2008. Web.

http://www.cellmedicine.com/cerebralpalsy.asp

This Cell Medicine article is full of information concerning cerebral palsy and stem cell therapy. The information is explicit in how stem cells can be utilized in the treatment of cerebral palsy because of their ability to differentiate into new tissue circuitry that is needed for those parts of the brain which have been damaged due to this condition. The article gives details concerning umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy that has been done in the United States on cerebral palsy patients, and the success that has been realized. The use of hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow has also been very effective in treating cerebral palsy as well, probably more so than cord blood, but most of this therapy has been available outside the United States, as noted in the article.

Borthwick, Lindsay. “Stem cells Improve Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms.” Nature Reports Stem Cells. Published Online: 17 April 2008. 63. Web. http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2008/0804/080417/full/stemcells.2008.63.html

Lindsay Borthwick, a freelance writer out of Toronto wrote this article featured in Nature Reports on stem cells and how they improve Parkinson’s symptoms to help bring to light some of the advances of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. In the article she reviews experiments that have taken place showing that the iPS cells injected into mice with Parkinson’s symptoms were able to differentiate into neurons and integrate into the surrounding brain tissue, causing it to function normally. Safety is still an issue with regards to human clinical trials, but the animal trials have helped research to take a giant step forward with regards to iPS cells, basically more research is needed to eliminate any of the safety concerns.

Mollard, Richard PhD. “Embryonic Stem Cells.” International Society for Stem Cell Research. 2 February 2005. Web. 1 April 2010.

http://www.isscr.org/public/escells.htm

This article written by Richard Mollard, PhD., an embryonic stem cell specialist at the Institute of Reproduction and Development at the Monash University in Australia. Dr Mollard focuses his remarks on the basics of embryonic stem cell research. Primarily, where embryonic stem cells come from and how scientists are able to obtain. He discusses the use of in vitro clinics and the role they play in obtaining these research embryos and also the part the donor plays in releasing these embryos to research facilities. He also goes into reviewing the remarkable features of the embryonic stem cell and how they are being used in research to discover new therapies for many types of diseases and injuries. How these new therapies will be best achieved is still an open debate, but scientists are hopeful that success will be obtained. Adult stem cells potential applications for treatment are also discussed in this article.

RJA #11: Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

McGee, Glenn, and Arthur Caplan. “The Ethics and Politics of Small Sacrifices in Stem Cell Research.” The Stem Cell Contoversy: Debating the Issues. 2nd ed. Ed. by Michael Ruse and Christopher A Pynes. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books, 2006. 162. Print.

This article first published in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 9, (1999): 151-58, focuses on the idea that though pluripotent stem cell research may offer new treatments for hundreds of diseases, opponents to the research say that it comes at too high a price.
The argument is centered on the use of aborted fetuses from which embryonic stem cells were taken and used for research, as well as those embryos from fertilization clinics. This article shows very clearly the battles which brew among millions of American who favor stem cell research and millions who oppose the destruction of any fetus or embryo for any purpose.


Mapping Stem Cell Research, Terra Incognita. Dir. by Maria Finitzo, Documentary. Kartemquin Film Production, 2008. DVD.

This documentary centered on the work of Dr. Jack Kessler, M.D., a renowned stem cell expert and chair of neuology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. When his daughter experienced a skiing accident that left her paralyzed, his life’s work totally found new meaning. He now focuses his time and efforts in and out of his laboratory to finding a stem cell therapy that will regenerate spinal cord damage. The documentary portrays the religious controversial views against embryonic stem cell research as well as the scientific views. Basically his question throughout the film is, if one had the opportunity to heal a spinal cord injury—why would you not want to do such a thing?


Experiment Resources (2008). “Stem Cell Research - Pros and Cons.” Retrieved [Date of Retrieval] from Experiment Resources: http://www.experimentresources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html Web.

From this reference resource basic stem cell information has been gathered. Some of the subjects that are covered include, what stem cells are, and what different types of stem cells are being used for research. The reference also addresses the many different types of diseases and disabilities that are being looked at for potential treatments using stem cells, and the pros and cons concerning stem cell research and future application.


Baker, Monya. “Stick to the Guidelines and Fewer Get Hurt.” Nature Reports Stem Cells. 11 December, 2008. Published online, Web. http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2008/0812/081211/full/stemcells.2008.157.html

This article was written especially to warn those seeking stem cell therapy outside of the United States to beware of profit-hungry quacks who are exploiting patients and endangering clinical research by offering risky stem cell procedures. Many of these centers offer help for almost all serious ailments with the average cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has put together guidelines to help patients read about the types of regulations and considerations they should look for in a clinic. The safety levels of the procedures, how the cells to be administered have been manipulated, and whether the patient is receiving his own cells or donor cells. The ISSCR task force feels that the education and the safety of patient is of the utmost importance as they continue to work on this issue.


Tenenbaum, David. “The Cloning Conundrum.” The Science Behind the Why Files. Ed. by Terry Devitt. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Published online. 2010. Web. http://whyfiles.org/148clone_clash/4.html

This article debates the use of therapeutic cloning or somatic nuclear transfer. Many scientists feel that therapeutic cloning is a modern medical miracle and should be allowed to be researched. It’s ability to benefit an immense number of people through perfectly matched transplantation therapies and repairing damaged cells is overwhelming. The controversy is viewed by those who see it as disrupting human life by creating a prospective human life just to destroy it for research. They feel that it should be condemned on moral grounds. Others feel that if this type of cloning is allowed it would only be a matter of time that reproductive cloning would also be acceptable as part of research.

RJA #10c: Ideas for the Application project

1. Journal Entry. I would write a journal entry to my cousin lived most of his life in a wheel chair because of a spinal cord injury that he experienced at age 18. I would tell him all that I have learned about the progress that has been made in the field of stem cell therapy, and how close scientists are to having therapy available for people with spinal cord injuries. I would tell him how the research is being conducted, where it is being conducted, and about the trials and tests that are being done. I would share with him the hope that because of stem cell research and developed applications, those who are paralyzed from spinal cord injuries might someday walk again. My cousin did not live to see this day, he died in 1988, due to complications created from his spinal cord injury, he was 44.

2. Short Story. This would be a story of how stem cell therapy has been able to help someone with cerebral palsy. This disorder has shown marked success in the field of stem cell therapy and I would like to share a story using dialogue between patient and doctor about how successful it has been and how it has changed individual lives.

3. News Article. In this article I would relate how stem cell research and therapeutic application have been used around the world to help individuals suffering from debilitating illnesses and injuries. I would report on current therapies that are being performed, and where they are being done. I would address the controversies still plaguing stem cell research and development and what lies ahead for this type of therapy.

4. Editorial. In my editorial I would give my views on how important stem cell therapy is in the world of medicine. I would like to voice my opinion of why the United States lags behind the world in this therapy and the frustrations felt by many because of this issue. I would like to talk about the ethics involved and how they apply or don’t apply to stem cell therapy.

RJA #10b: Progress Report for Argumentative Paper

What I have accomplished on my argumentative paper:

So far I have gathered most of the resources, books, articles, videos, and forum websites that will be using for my research and bookmarked them. Using my outline as a guide, I have begun to put down on paper some of my thoughts and have organized the resources I have compiled so far. I have also started on my presentation ideas.

What I still have to do:

Even though I have put down thoughts I need to begin to write my paper. I also need to finish one interview, which I plan to do this week. I plan to begin my rough draft this week as well. I also need to spend more time organizing to make sure that I have all the resources that I want to use for my paper, as well as for the application project and bookmark them.

RJA #10a: Annotated Bibliography, Part 1

Ostnor, Lars, et al. “The Moral Status of Human Embryos with Special Regard to Stem cell Research and Therapy.” Stem Cells, Human Embryos and Ethics. 4-18. Springer 2008. Print

This is a multidisciplinary study from many different professionals investigating the field of embryonic stem cells. This chapter is comprised of studies done by the Norwegian project group and deals with embryo and fetal cell development and their potential use in the field of stem cell therapy. The group examines the advantages of using embryonic stem cells in the field of medicine as well as stem cell alternatives. They look at adult stem cells and the importance they can play in research and therapy as an viable and more ethical alternative to using embryonic stem cells. Their differing views are represented continually and the authors remain divided as they represent both sides of this endless debate. The first position emphasizing the use of embryonic stem cells especially for the treatment of currently untreatable serious disease and injuries. The second position being the continuation of research on all human stem cells excepting those that come from human embryos.

Chu, Jennifer. “Testing Drugs with Stem Cells.” Technology Review 13 December 2007. Web. http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/19893/?a=f

This article is focused on the studies of Gabriela Cezar, assistant professor of animal science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and her novel way of testing for drug toxicity using embryonic stem cells . By monitoring the results of these tests Cezar and her colleagues feel that they should be able to have a far more accurate prediction of a drug’s potential toxicity than they get with conventional animal testing. Cezar’s group tested the drug valproate, an anti-epileptic drug that has been linked to cases of autism and spina bifida in the offspring of mothers treated with the drug. Cezar was able to see in these tests that the ES cell samples tested with valproate exhibited significant changes in what would represent early brain development. Steven Tannenbaum, professor of chemistry and toxicology at MIT does not agree with Cezar and her findings. He points out that drugs taken into the body are processed first in the liver, not the brain, and that drug metabolism in the body is a very complex process. Recognizing the abilites to have embryonic stem cells develop into liver cells, Cezar feels that the research she is doing is capable of bringing safer and more effective drugs to the consumer.

Schwartz, Philip H., and Peter J. Bryant. “Therapeutic Uses of Stem Cells.” Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate, The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues. Ed. Kristen Renwick Monroe, et al. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2008. 38-49. Print.

The therapeutic uses of stem cells are of course, the main reason for stem cell research. In this chapter the authors recognize that the current therapeutic applications of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) such as in bone marrow transplantation have been successfully treating patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma for many years. Umbilical cord stem cells have also been used to treat blood disorders and are especially preferred in pediatric patients. The experimental therapeutic applications noted by the authors include testing with patients who have multilple sclerosis. Neural stem cells (NSC) and embryonic stem cells (ESC) have both shown signs of effectiveness against this disease. Potential therapeutic applications for use in Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, retinal degeneration, Diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are being researched and tested using HSC, NSC and ESC. Testing with different types of stem cells is important to the research. It enables the scientists to learn which therapy might cause potential problems with immune rejection for the patient. Autologous transplantation has been found to eliminate the problems of rejection for the patient since those stem cells come from the patient who is being treated. Research continues to show improvements in the current therapeutic applications as well as in the experimental and potential phases of stem cell therapy.

RJA #9c: Presentation Plan

According to many in the medical field, stem cells are set to revolutionized medicine in the 21^st century.

Stem cells do not have a specialized function; they are an immature kind of cell that still has the potential to develop into many different kinds of cells.

Scientists distinguish between several types of stem cells, some of those being tested and used in stem cell therapy are, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and iPS cells.

The benefit of stem cell research lies in the creation of cell-based therapies for genetic diseases, as well as other human injuries and illnesses.

Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, spinal cord injury, cancer, heart disease, cerebral palsy, and even autism are being viewed today as good candidates for stem cell treatments. The results heard from those who have been treated with stem cell therapy in clinics around the world has been very positive. Many recipients have reported good success following their treatments, they have talked about miracles large and small occurring.

Stem cells may also provide a new way of testing drugs for effectiveness and for dangerous side effects, without using animals or humans.

There has been and still continues to be much debate over the ethical use of stem cells, especially with regards to embryonic stem cells, and cloning. Scientists are also aware that these treatments are not risk free and urge patients to use caution especially with regards to the regulation of stem cell therapies.

The benefits of stem cell research and therapy applications are not only important to the field of medicine, but also to mankind. While there are concerns to be regulated and discussed, the potential outcome for improving quality of life is overwhelming and needs to be utilized.

RJA #9b: Argument

Research Question: How has stem cell research impacted the treatment of serious disease and injury in the field of medicine?

Answer/thesis/claim: Stem cell research and its applications are important for many areas in the field of medicine, including treatments for serious illnesses and injuries, prevention of some genetic disorders, and development of more efficient drugs.

Reason 1: There is pressing need for treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

Warrant: Stem cells have been found to be particularly effective in regenerating nerve cells of the brain.

Evidence 1: Stem cell replacement therapy has shown symptomatic improvement by regenerating dopamine-producing nerve cells in patients with Parkinson’s.

Warrant: cell replacement therapy replaces the loss in electrical signaling cause by neural degeneration.

Evidence 2: Stem cells seem to be able to restore the white matter of the brain, which is destroyed in such diseases as multiple sclerosis.

Warrant: Stem cells show success in human trials with virtually no side effects.

Evidence 3: Alzheimer’s is characterized the destruction of neuronal circuitry from a build up of plaques and tangles that form.

Warrant: Stem cell therapy offers the possibility of reversing such plaques and tangles and regeneration neuronal connections.

Reason 2: Research is important to determine which stem cells are best suited for which treatment.

Evidence 4: Umbilical cord blood stem cells have been effective in the treatment of certain cancers, such as Leukemia and Aplastic Anemia.

Warrant: New research is finding that cord stem cells do not need to be as perfectly matched to the patient.

Evidence 5: Transplantation using human embryonic stem cells now offers new and promising treatments for spinal cord injury.

Warrant: These stem cell treatments have the potential to improve injuries previously considered irreversible.

Evidence 6: Adult stem cells administered by way of intravenous infusions are being tested on their ability to restore damaged heart tissue in patients after a heart attack.

Warrant: This therapy is a formulation of adult stem cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors.

Reason 3: Stem cells could provide a new way of testing drugs for positive results and for dangerous side effects.

Evidence 7: Stem cell testing has the potential of decreasing the time it takes to get new and safer drugs to market.

Warrant: Testing stem cells could decrease cost.

Evidence 8: Testing the safety of drugs in lab animals is notoriously unreliable.

Warrant: Animal drug testing would be eliminated.

Evidence 9: Stem cell drug testing amounts to human drug trials conducted in a dish.

Warrant: Stem cells that are sick can be tested with new drug therapies.

Reason 4: Stem cell research is important for understanding genetic disease processes and development of better therapies.

Evidence 10: Cerebral palsy patients show mild to large significant improvement after being treated with umbilical cord stem cells.

Warrant: Stem Cell treatment can aid in correcting genetic disorders.

Evidence11: Cord meseschymal stem cells can be beneficial in regenerating the pancreas and restoring normal insulin release in diabetes patients.

Warrant: Stem cells travel to parts of the body that are damaged

Evidence 12: Cord stem cells could be used to rebuild the lungs of those who suffer with cystic fibrosis.

Warrant: A potential role for stem cell therapy and lung repair

Objection 1: With regards to stem cell research, arguments often arise that researchers and doctors should not play God, and should not mess with human life.

Refutation 1: Stem cell research can potentially help treat a range of medical problems. It could lead humanity closer to better treatments and possibly cure a number of diseases.

Objection 2: Ethical issues of scientific work on aborted fetuses did not justify the possible benefits.

Refutation 2: Since 2007, scientists have moved on to use more ethical methods for stem cell research. The use and development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) has eliminated research being done using aborted fetuses and have lead to new solutions making those on both sides of the debate happier.

Objection 3: The side effects of embryonic stem cell therapy are quite severe: it tends to produce tumors and malignant carcinomas, cause transplant rejection, and form the wrong kinds of cells.

Refutation 3: Adult stem cells, which are more widely used in stem cell treatments, and which are transplanted immediately after their removal and concentration for therapeutic purposes, do not increase the risk of tumors unless the patient already has cancer.

Objection 4: Performing research on embryonic stem cells is effectively destroying life, and it should therefore be avoided.

Refutation 4: Using frozen human embryos that would otherwise be discarded is ethically acceptable given the potential that stem cells hold.

Objection 5: Many argue that stem cell research in the future will inevitably lead scientists to the knowledge and practice of cloning human beings.

Refutation 5: Therapeutic cloning is the procedure that scientists are most interested in as they can manipulate the chemical environment of cells that are taken directly from the patient and then used to grow tissues that are a perfect genetic match for the patient.

Qualifiers: Stem cell research and the proper application of the stem cells available to study is important in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, genetic disorders, and in the testing of improved pharmaceutical treatments in most cases.

RJA #9a: Thesis Statement

Research Question

How has stem cell research impacted the treatment of serious disease and injury in field of medicine?

Precise Claim

There are many areas in the field of medicine where stem cell research could have a significant impact.

Reasons/blueprint

Stem cells can be used in research and in clinical studies to offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues.

Stem cells can be used to treat many serious conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimers, heart disease, spinal cord injury, burns, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, MS, and arthritis.

Stem cells could also be used to gain a better understanding of how genetics work and can help scientists understand why some cells develop abnormally.

Stem cells may be useful in the testing and development of drugs.

Complete Thesis Statement

Stem cell research and application is important for many areas in the field of medicine, including treatments for serious illness and injuries, treatment and possible prevention of some genetic disorders, and the development of more efficient drugs.

RJA #8b: Evaluation Check

http://playersyrita.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja-7a-evaluation-of-sources.html#comments-form

http://jaronhuff.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja-7a-evaluation-of-sources.html#comment-form

RJA #8a: Quotation, Paraphrase, and Summary

Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions.

http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp

In Stem Cell Information from the National Institutes of Health (2009), two important characteristics are given that distinguish stem cells from other types of cells. The first characteristic of stem cells was that they are, “unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, . . . [and] second, under [particular] conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ- specific cells with special functions.” When tissue becomes worn out or damaged, especially in the human gut or in the bone marrow, stem cells, if administered for repair of these problems, regularly divide. However, they only divide under special conditions, if used for the repair of the pancreas or the heart.

There are two major differences which set stem cells apart from other types of cells. First of all they are able to reconstruct themselves by going through a process of mitosis, and secondly they are, under particular conditions, able to reconstruct themselves to replace specific tissue and organs in the body. In some areas of the body the stem cells can repair and replace old or injured organs such as in the bone marrow or the human gut. Whereas, in other organs of the body, such as the heart or the pancreas, they can multiply only under specific circumstances.

Two main differences that set stem cells apart from other cells are first, being able to restore themselves through cell division and secondly, under particular conditions they are able to become organ specific cells that can perform organ specific functions. For example, cells transplanted for use in the human gut or bone marrow can help rebuild worn out or injured tissue. When used for the heart or pancreas, they are capable of dividing only under particular circumstances.

RJA #7b: Field Research Suggestions

http://melindaatmetro.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-6c-field-research-options.html#comment-form

http://csando1020.blogspot.com/2010/03/rj6c-field-research-options.html#comments

RJA #7a: Evaluation of Sources

Periodical

Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Neural Stem Cell Therapy for Neurological Disease: Dreams and Reality

Ferdinando Rossi & Elena Cattaneo

Volume 3

Pages 401-401

May 2002

http://0-www.nature.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/nrn/journal/v3/n5/fig_tab/nrn809_F1.html

This article is a well-written review about how difficult stem cell replacement therapy is, especially when dealing with neural transplantation. It examines just what is required from stem cells to be able to produce beneficial effects when treating diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. Much of the information focuses on the fact that what may divide in a laboratory may not, once transplanted, actually be incorporated into the recipient tissue. This article goes into detail with images and explanations regarding just how the cells need to be able to cope with specific pathological conditions that are presented by different neurodegenerative diseases. This article gives the reader a good scientific understanding of stem cell application and why it is such a important issue for medical research today.

Website

Stem Cell Therapies

http://www.stemcelltherapies.org/index.htm

This website is a very good source for information concerning stem cell research and therapy. The website is a part of the Steenblock Research Institute. The founder of the Institute, Dr. David Steenblock, is a pioneer in safe, natural and effective treatments, including the use of stem cells from a person’s own bone marrow as well as from umbilical cord blood. It reviews areas concerning what stem cells are, stem cell safety, therapy benefits, treatable conditions, and stem cell research. Links are offered for more detailed information on each of these topics, as well as good basic information and images.

Book

Stem Cell and Gene-Based Therapy, Frontiers in Regenerative Medicine

Alexander Battler, MD, FACC, FESC and Jonathan Leor, MD, FACC, FESC

Springer Books, 2006

http://0-www.springerlink.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/content/u18625/

I am really excited to use this book as part of my research on stem cell therapy. In it a variety of researchers discuss the aspects of cell- and gene-based therapy. There are four major topics covered in this book. The first is, new types of cell therapies and stem cell based therapy for angiogenesis, and cardiac repair. The second is the cell-therapy approaches in neurological areas such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. The third area that is explored involves research done on the development of cell-based systems for cartilage and bone repair, bladder repair, and kidney regeneration. The fourth area involves important work in the eye, specifically, optic nerve regeneration, retinal repair, and ocular surface regeneration. There is additional research examined dealing with cord blood transplantation for various blood disorders and also important areas of research involving skin regeneration and wound healing.

Reference Article

Digital Universe, Stem Cell Overview

Bernard Haisch, August 2008

http://www.digitaluniverse.net/stemcell/articles/view/132838/

The Digital Universe reference article of Bernard Haisch is a good basic overview of stem cells. It begins with a description of what stem cells are, the different types of stem cells and how they can work as a repair system for the body by replenishing specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues. The article contents deal with the different types of stem cells being tested today, mainly, embryonic and adult stem cells. It also addresses the belief that stem cell therapy has the potential to dramatically change the treatment of human disease. It also touches on the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research. This reference guide has several links and additional information that will aid me in my research and it is a good basic beginning to answering my research questions.

Zakta Research Guide

http://zakta.com/zakta/view_1_1063_2958_Stem_Cell_Therapy_2

RJA #6c Field Research Options

Interviews

For my primary research in stem cell therapy, I think interviewing will be my main focus. I plan to interview Dr. Stephen Grover, head of the OBGYN Center at Sky Ridge Medical Center. He is an expert in cord blood stem cell storage and cord blood replacement therapy. I also plan to interview a potential recipient of stem cell therapy, Drew Covington, who is 10, and suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Drew is under going tests for stem cell therapy procedure that will be done in Germany. His tests are being done at Children’s Hospital here in Denver. I would also like to interview his doctor at Children’s, if possible, to get his imput on this procedure.

Forum Discussions

There are several good forum discussions that I have found on TEDMED I would like to become more acquainted with concerning the study of stem cell therapy. These discussions can be found at the following link:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=stem+cell+research&x=0&y=0.

There are also other forum discussions that are listed on the Geron site, these forums are dealing specifically with spinal cord injury and stem cell replacement therapy. There are two that I am most interested in, they are CareCure Community at http://sci.rutgers.edu/ and National Spinal Cord Injury Association at http://www.spinalcord.org/.

Observations

As much as I would love to be an observer at any stem cell therapy clinic and or hospital, I don’t think that would be possible at this time. One thing I would like to check up on is perhaps a clinic doing physical therapy on stem cell patients. That type of observation may be available in Denver and if so would be very interesting to me.

RJA #6b Social Media and Multimedia

Addictomatic – Social Media Search Tool

Key words: Stem Cell Regeneration

Search Strategies: (stem cell therapy) + regeneration

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 20

Relevance: 5

BlogScope – Social Media Search Tool

Key Words: Stem Cell Treatment

Search Strategies – (regeneration) + (stem cell treatment)

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 1,462

Relevance: 5

Socialmention – Social Media Search Tool

Key words: Stem Cell Research

Search Strategies – “research” AND “stem cell therapy”

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 130

Relevance: 4

Videosurf – Multimedia Search Tool

Key Words: Stem Cell Therapy

Search Strategies – (therapy) AND (stem cells)

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 1,076

Relevance: 5

iResearch Reporter – Other Search Tools

Key Words – Stem Cell Therapy

Search Strategies – “umbilical cord blood” + “stem cell therapy”

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 53

Relevance: 5

RJA #6a Websites

Meta and Multi Search Engines – AcademicIndex.net

Key Words: Stem Cell Therapy

Search Strategies: “stem cell therapy”

Date Searched: February 23, 2010

Hits: 7

Relevance: 4

Search Engine – AltaVista

Key Words: International Stem Cell Therapy

Search Strategies: “International Embryonic Stem Cell” + Therapy

Date Searched: February 23, 2010

Hits: 38

Relevance: 5

Directories – Best of the Web

Key Words: Stem Cell Therapy

Search Strategies: (illness) + (disease) + “stem cell therapy”

Date Searched: February 23, 2010

Hits: 8

Relevance: 5

99 Resources to Research & Mine the Invisible Web

SCIRUS for scientific information only

Key Words: Stem Cell and Spinal Cord Research

Search Strategies: (Stem Cell Therapy) AND (Spinal Cord Injury)

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 138,975

Relevance: 5

99 Resources to Research & Mine the Invisible Web

SCIRUS for scientific information only

Key Words: Stem Cell and Cerebral Palsy Research

Search Strategies: (Stem Cell Therapy) AND (Cerebral Palsy)

Date Searched: February 24, 2010

Hits: 93,213

Relevance: 5

RJA #5c Reference Articles

Reference Articles

Encyclopedia (infoplease.com)

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia

Stem Cells

www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0907292.html

Bernard Haisch

Stem Cells Overview

Digital Universe

August 2008

www.digitaluniverse.net/stemcell/articles/view/132838

Searches

Encyclopedia (infoplease.com)

Stem cell treatments

February 17, 2010

4 hits

Relevance - 3

Digital Universe

Stem Cell Treatments

Trunity Your World Your Site

February 17, 2010

7 hits

Relevance - 4

RJA #5b Periodical Articles

Periodicals and Journals

Ferdinando Rossi & Elena Cattaneo

Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Neural Stem Cell Therapy for Neurological Diseases: Dreams and Reality

http://0-www.nature.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/nrn/journal/v3/n5/full/nrn809.html

Volume 3

May 2002

Pages 401-409

David T Harris

Stem Cell Review and Reports

Cord Blood Stem Cells: A Review of Potential Neurological Applications

http://www.springerlink.com/content/ll0q41551n285310/

Volume 4, Number 4

December 2008

Pages 269-274

S. Pauley, B. Kopecky, K. Beisel, G. Soukup, B. Fritzsch

Panminerva Med.

Stem Cells and Molecular Strategies to Restore Hearing

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610336/?tool=pubmed

March 2008; 50 (1)

Pages 41-53

Robert Blellock

Nature International Weekly Journal of Science

Regenerative Medicine: Short Cuts to Cell Replacement

http://0-www.nature.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/nature/journal/v455/n7213/full/455604a.html

2 October 2008

Pages 604-605

Sudhanshu P. Raikwar, Nicholas Zavazava,

Journal of Cellular Physiology

Insulin Producing Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells: Are We There Yet?

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/121460828/HTMLSTART?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Volume 218, Issue 2

October 2008

Pages 256-263

Searches

Auraria Articles Database

Biomedical Medline PubMed

“Pluripotent stem cell therapy” and people

February 16, 2010

10 hits

Relevance – 5

Auraria Articles Database

“Stem Cell Therapy”

February 17, 2010

68,000 hits

Relevance – 3

RJA #5a Books

BOOKS

Ann B. Parsons

The Proteus Effect

Stem Cells and Their Promise for Medicine

Joseph Henry Press * 500 Fifth Street, NW * Washington, DC 20001

Copyright 2004

Search - Douglas County Library Catalog

Stem Cell Therapy

February 17, 2010

10 hits

Relevance – 3

Michael Ruse and Christopher A. Pynes, editors

The Stem Cell Controversy: Debating the Issue

Second Edition

Prometheus Books * 59 John Glenn Drive * Amherst, New York 14228

Published 2006

Search - Auraria Library

Skyline

Stem Cell Controversy

February 16, 2010

7 hits

Relevance – 5

Lars Ostnor, editor

Stem Cells, Human Embryos and Ethics - Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Springer Science and Business Media

Published 2008

Search - Auraria Library

Skyline

Stem Cells and Ethics

February 16, 2010

27 hits

Relevance – 3

Kristin Renwick Monroe, Ronald B. Miller, and Jerome S. Tobis, editors

Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate, The Scientific, Religious, Ethical and Political Issues

University of California Press

Copyright 2008

Search - Auraria Library

Skyline

Stem Cells and Ethics

February 16, 2010

27 hits

Relevance – 3

E BOOKS

Stewart Goldman and Christopher D. Turner, editors

Late Effects of Treatment for Brain Tumors Cancer Treatment and Research

Medicine & Public Health, Oncology and Pediatrics

2009

http://0-www.springerlink.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/content/qj7421/?sortorder=asc&v=expanded

Search – Auraria Library

Risks or stem cell therapy

Skyline

February 16, 2010

1,336 hits

Relevance – 4

Alexander Battler and Jonathan Leor

Stem Cell and Gene-Based Therapy

Frontiers in Regenerative Medicine

2006

http://0-www.springerlink.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/content/u18625/

Search – Auraria Library

Stem or cell or risks or women

Skyline

February 16, 2010

83 hits

Relevance – 4

RJA #4c Research Question Check

• http://playersyrita.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-3c-research-question.html#comment-form
  

• http://melindaatmetro.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-3c-research-questions.html#comment-form
  

• http://brittanymartin3.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-3-eng-1020.html#comment-form
  

RJA #4b Search Strings

+ Symbol:  Search engine math

illness + disease + “stem cell therapy”

risk + “stem cell therapy”

“umbilical cord blood” + “stem cell therapy”

 

 

- Symbol:  Search engine math

“stem cell therapy” –ethical –controversy

“stem cell therapy” –debates

“stem cell applications” –embryonic

 

 

Phrases

“bone marrow transplant therapy”

“ethical issues in stem cell research” –United States + Europe

“stem cell risks” + women

 

Boolean Operators

(stem cell therapy) AND (childhood leukemia)

(pluripotent stem cell therapy) OR (adults)

(embryonic stem cell therapy) NOT (United States research)

(ethical stem cell issues) AND (international)

(new perspectives in human stem cell application) OR (children)

(stem cell diabetes) OR (adults)

(stem cell spinal cord injuries) NOT (children)