ALS and Embryonic Stem Cell Research

I know this may be a very touchy subject for some of you, but I feel compelled to bring it to you for your consideration. I lost my father six months ago to ALS. His doctor was Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Dr. Rothstein is one of the preeminent ALS research and patient doctors in the country. My father and I visited Dr. Rothstein every few months for two years through the course of my father's disease. At every visit, Dr. Rothstein implored us to contact our federal and state legislators to encourage embryonic stem cell research. His team at Johns Hopkins does research on all types of stem cells - adult and embryonic - and have found that only embryonic stem cells can become neurons. This is crucial to ALS treatment and understanding. I have started an advocacy group in Delaware to encourage our state legislators to pass legislation regulating, and thus legitimizing, embryonic stem cell research in Delaware. I am also working with our representative in Congress, Representative Castle, to encourage the federal government to fund embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research is conducted only on embryos which would otherwise be discarded as medical waste from in vitro fertilization clinics throughout the country. There is a tremendous battle being waged by the folks on the other side of the issue. In essence, they are saying that it is morally superior to throw away these embryos than to use them as a basis to find treatment and cures for diseases such as ALS, MS, junevile diabetes, Parkinsons disese, etc. I think the moral argument is wrong. After having watched my father suffer, and listening to Dr. Rothstein (who ought to know his stuff), I have dedicated a portion of my volunteer time to this worthwhile effort. It makes me feel good that even if it's too late to help my father, I may be able to help someone - and some other family - in the future. I urge you, as Dr. Rothstein urged me, to contact your federal legislators and your state legislators to support embryonic stem cell research. And, if you live in Delaware, contact me. Our group is organized (Stem Cell Go, Inc.) and we can always use your help.

By Oldchuck
Posted August 4, 2006 at 10:47 am
Report post

Stephanie,

This is such an emotional issue that some of the basics seem to get lost in the haze of emotions. Your point that Dr. Rothstein, a world reknown expert on ALS and research on ALS, would use only embryos that would otherwise be discarded or destroyed is a critical point. If the use of these embryos for research is considered immoral, then it seems to me that their destruction with no benefical use is equally immoral. If that is true, then those who object to embryonic stem cell research should also push to shut down the fertility industry that creates embryos that are being destroyed. Their silence on this point seems to speak volumes about the validity of their argument.

I wish you well on you campaign and I hope that others will do the same in their jurisdictions.

By SheilaT
Posted August 4, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Report post

Stephanie and Chuck. Dr. Jeffery Rothstein is also one of my neurologists. Stephaine, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Stem cell would be a God send to ALS patients. Chuck, I was thinking the same thing a week or two ago when I saw the veto on the news. I kinda shook my head and thought "We'll never make it this way". I know a man from Kentucky that went to china for stem cell. He did some better at first and then he got bad again. I hane't talked to his wife in a while now but I need to call her again and see how he is doing now.. Stephanie, I will you good luck and sucess in stem cell reasearch/advocacy.

By wombat
Posted August 5, 2006 at 9:13 am
Report post

I was just going to post a similar plea. I called both my senators in NC and asked them to support the bill (one did) and called all my friends and relatives to do the same. I have ALS and want to see some serious progress with stem-cell research before I die. President Bush's veto was clearly political, no matter his claim to the moral high ground. It's more immoral, in my opinion, to throw embryos in the trash and destroy the hopes of hundreds of thousands of us waiting for treatment. If the people who are against this research found out that they or a loved one had ALS, they would be the first to demand any treatment arising from the use of stem cells.

By Stan
Posted August 5, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Report post

I agree with you 100% regarding embryonic stem cell research. I have written several congressmen here in New York regarding this issue and I've been wondering myself what can be done now to convince Congress to override the veto. My wife and I went to Washington, DC and spoke to several congressmen regarding ALS issues. I think something similar can be done here in New York. I belong to two support groups here in Manhattan and I'm sure I can get people from those groups to join in the effort.

I would like to know more about your efforts in Delaware. I would especially like to know about what you have done with the state legislature there. What percentage support do you have at the State level? What has your approach been to get there? What advice could you give me and others in making a similar attempt to garner Embryonic Stem Cell Research support at the state level?

By joe
Posted February 10, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Report post

Sheila, maybe this will be the issue for D.C. this year. I sure hope so. I know that my doctor in Cleveland isn't seeing patients anymore so that he can devote his time to research. I hope and pray that they find a cure soon......I would even settle for a remission drug for now. I know that we could all live like we are until a cure is found.
The guy that is in the picture with me is the guy that intercepted the pass and ran it back 100 yard for a touchtown in the super bowl. Boy do I have friends or what??

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this discussion:

6 replies

Add to the discussion

Group leaders

You