William R. Benedict: Embryonic stem cell research is necessary

Letter to the Editor, Capital Times

As a patient advocate for state funding of stem cell research in Wisconsin I was somewhat dismayed to read the letter to the editor written by the wife of the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Scott Walker. I say this for two reasons. First, while we all might like it if adult stem cells were sufficient in and of them selves; this simply is not the case, as stated by the scientific community.

In 2008 and 2010 I attended the World Stem Cell Summit sponsored by the Genetics Policy Institute. This international yearly gathering is attended by top scientists from all over the world. I can assure you that at both of these meetings their voice as a group was crystal clear. To bring about a speedy cure of our most life threatening diseases, all types of stem cells need to be studied. Not just adult stem cells.

Secondly I was dismayed and disappointed that possibly our next first lady of Wisconsin would deliberately insert into her letter what is for almost all voters a non-issue. Human cloning has already been outlawed by all the national ethics and best practice guidelines throughout the world and is also specifically prohibited by law in almost every state in these United States.

I want a first lady that will tell it as it really is. The facts are that already discarded human embryos are taken from in-vitro fertilization clinics and donated by women to be used for ESC research. And, why shouldn’t these already discarded cells be used to save life and help heal the chronically ill and suffering?

Benedict is a stem cell patient advocate and blogs at: danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com

Click for original letter.

2010 World Stem Cell Summit & New Bio Research Model

As patient advocate for stem cell research and a local columnist I have just returned from the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit and was delighted to see UW's Dr. Tim Kamp and Jordana Lenon at this exciting world-wide conference. First I want to give a special thanks to Mr. Bernard Siegel, J.D., founder and director of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), and Mr. Alan Fernandez, Director of Development. Without their support my report below would not have been possible.

Dr. Kamp was one of the Summit's speakers and Ms. Lenon both made UW's stem cell science presence known via both staffing UW's Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine Center's booth, and also contributed a very comprehensive article to the 2010 World Stem Cell Report which described Wisconsin's stem cell science and technology and the unprecedented opportunities it now offers the world.

Presented in the U.S. Policy, Ethics and Science section of this Report, the article itself is both a fascinating and eye-opening story on the Wisconsin stem cell story to date from the first extracted embryonic stem cell accomplished right here in our own State of Wisconsin. This article is a "must read" for any Wisconsin stem cell advocate or supporting taxpayer in this state.

Since this event I was privileged to report in the Capital Times on both this World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit and on a new and exciting stem cell science research model which I hope and pray will hasten the translation of these miracle stem cell discovers to the chronic patient's bedside.

To read my Capital Times story, you can click on this link.

William R. Benedict: New model will speed treatment of chronic diseases

Click here to read my guest column in the Capital Times.