Stem cells are critical for regenerative medicine, medicine that involves growing new cells, tissues or organs, according to the article below. Stem cell therapies are being used to treat a number of diseases including leukemia and some immune disorders and experimental procedures are being done for other illnesses. The writer suggests that unless the government spends a lot more in this area, then Canada will fall behind other countries in this research.
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Canada's mantle as stem-cell leader fading, experts warn:
By Meagan Fitzpatrick, Postmedia News November 2, 2010
OTTAWA — Canada has been a world-renowned leader in stem cell research but is now falling behind and its international reputation is at risk unless major investments are made in the rapidly evolving field, researchers warned parliamentarians Tuesday.
Canada first discovered stem cells, the precursors of all cells in the body, 50 years ago and, until recently, was at the forefront of research, MPs on the House of Commons health committee heard Tuesday from leading experts in the field. Funding is drying up, however, and Canada is quickly being overtaken by other jurisdictions which are spending massive amounts of money because they consider stem cell research the future of medicine.
"Stem cell research is an area which Canada has pioneered, has led the world, and we've got the talent, the will and the expertise to continue to do so," said Dr. Drew Lyall, chair of the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation. "It's simply not realistic to expect Canada, or indeed anyone else, to keep up to remain globally competitive in the long-term without some further dedicated investment in the field."
Lyall and other witnesses testifying before the committee, noted that the state of California alone, is investing $3 billion over a 10-year period in stem cell research projects. The entire country of Canada is investing nowhere near that amount, he said.
Stem cells are critical for regenerative medicine, medicine that involves growing new cells, tissues or organs. Stem cell therapies are being used to treat a number of diseases including leukemia and some immune disorders and experimental procedures are being done for other illnesses.
Stem cell therapies are considered to hold great promise for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, arthritis, diabetes, hemophilia and spinal cord injuries.
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Stem cell research is extremely important but is a widely debated issue. A new artistic exhibit has opened at the Glenbow museum featuring this issue. Take a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://cbt20.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/stem-cell-museum/
Excellent post. My review is:
ReplyDeleteLindsay Rosenwald http://www.lindsayrosenwald.com/lindsay-rosenwald-director-republican-jewish-coalition/ Lindsay Rosenwald – Director Of Republican Jewish Coalition