Stem Cells in Hollywood

Scarlett Johansson explains why she favors embryonic stem cell research, “I mean, if they could eliminate diseases like Alzheimer’s and polio that would be incredible."
Moviehole.net

Apparently, she has not heard of the Salk vaccine nor the World Health Organization's pronouncement that polio has been eradicated. Neither is she familiar with this scandal: Of Stem Cells and Fairy Tales

"'PEOPLE NEED A FAIRY TALE,' Ronald D.G. McKay, a stem cell researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, told Washington Post reporter Rick Weiss, explaining why scientists have allowed society to believe wrongly that stem cells are likely to effectively treat Alzheimer's disease. 'Maybe that's unfair, but they need a story line that's relatively simple to understand.'

Here's the story: Researchers have apparently known for some time that embryonic stem cells will not be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's, because as two researchers told a Senate subcommittee in May, it is a 'whole brain disease,' rather than a cellular disorder (such as Parkinson's). This has generally been kept out of the news. But now, Washington Post correspondent Rick Weiss, has blown the lid off of the scam, reporting that while useful abstract information might be gleaned about Alzheimer's through embryonic stem cell research, 'stem cell experts confess . . . that of all the diseases that may be someday cured by embryonic stem cell treatments, Alzheimer's is among the least likely to benefit.'"

It's silly to jump on a statement by such a young actress, but this is all too typical of the misunderstanding surrounding this issue. One of the panel discussions on last weekend's news programs had a panelist chastising Bush for banning stem cell treatments. This betrayed ignorance on a few levels.

First, there is no ban on stem cell research; there are restrictions of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Second, if the cure for so many diseases is just around the corner using embryonic stem cells, those profit-hungry drug and biotech companies are free to develop them. The fact that none have raises the question as to how imminent these cures really are, doesn't it? If the situation were as many advocates claim, wouldn't the profiteers be in a mad rush to be the first to market with these cures?

Third, the only stem cell treatments that exist are not embryonic, but adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells. There are no restrictions on these. And, these are very promising. Every pro-life advocate is strongly in favor of encouraging these therapies.

So long as these Hollywood types continue to use their celebrity to draw attention to this issue and publicity-seeking politicians take advantage of reflected celebrity, we will continue to hear myths and fairy tales.