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August 21,
2008 Volume
4, Number 34 | ||
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In This
Issue
E-Mail
cynthia.davis@house.mo.gov
Chair Vice Chair
Vice Chair
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Stem
Cell Research
You can imagine that being the mother of seven
children has provided me with many opportunities to be a frequent guest at
many hospitals. In addition, I was pleased when Cardinal Glennon
Children’s Hospital invited me to tour its hospital
recently. I also have had the opportunity to donate cord
blood to its cord blood bank. Cardinal Glennon is the world’s second
largest independent, public cord blood bank. Cord blood is the blood
that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after
the cord is cut. Umbilical cord blood can supply the same kinds of
blood-forming stem cells as bone marrow, and can be used in
stem cell research. Some people think that all stem cell research is
controversial. It is not. Only embryonic stem cell research is
controversial because it involves destroying a human life. Cardinal
Glennon stores only stem cells that do not involve the destruction of
human life and therefore can be ethically used in research to save lives.
This hospital is special because it is actually saving lives
of people all over the world. Its cord blood bank has shipped cord
blood to over 27 countries and has over 18,000 units available in its
inventory. Researchers are making stunning discoveries using
adult stem cells to treat many diseases such as bone marrow failures,
immune system disorders, or some leukemias. Some of the most
recent breakthroughs are:
If this makes you feel like standing at your
computer and applauding, go ahead! I join you in feeling a sense of
gratitude for modern medicine breakthroughs.
At the state level, Some people are concerned that those who want to
do human cloning would like to get a share of the life sciences research
money. We have a state law that prohibits state funds from being
used for research that destroys human beings. The Missouri Roundtable for
Life has filed a lawsuit that will
prevent access to these funds by those who want to use our public funds in
a manner that conflicts with state law and the will of the state
legislature. Until the dust settles in this lawsuit, I will be
voting on appropriations issues to keep the purse strings closed to the
Fund. Other legislators are willing to believe the Life Sciences
Trust Fund will act in accord with the spirit of the legislature. If
you would like to read more about the controversy, you can click
here: Missouri
Life. To be a purist about this, it is not the proper
role of state government to be funding research. That is best left
up to the private corporations because they are the ones who will sell
their technology back to the public and make the profit off of the
research. These budgetary issues define critical distinctions
between the essence of capitalism and the essence of socialism.
Consider this:
Having said that, though, I believe that if any of
our taxpayer dollars are used for life sciences research, the money needs
to go to the cord blood banks and other adult stem cell research that is
already making a difference. Your
thoughts are important to me, so please let me know what you think about
stem cell research. You can send me your opinion by clicking
here:
Cynthia Davis.
I was honored to
receive a certificate of appreciation from SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s
Hospital. Presenting the plaque is
One of the Cardinal Glennon
nurses is showing me the recovery room. One of my children recently
had a tonsillectomy, so it was a relief to observe this area without the
stress of being the parent of a patient. A Little
Bit of Humor… Thoughts· Give me ambiguity or give me something else. · Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else. · Consciousness: That annoying time between naps. · Okay, who put a "stop payment" on my reality check? · All generalizations are false. · Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
This Capitol Report is a weekly
newsletter by Representative J If you know of anyone else who
would like to receive my Capitol Report, please send an e-mail to Cynthia.Davis@house.mo.gov with the
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