Pocono News Section

Local reaction to stem cell research breakthrough

Local reaction to stem cell research breakthrough - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 5:46PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 @05:46pm EST

PLAINS, LUZERNE COUNTY- It's research that could help cure the world’s worst diseases. On Tuesday scientists said they reprogrammed human skin cells to act like stem cells.

Stem cells are often at the center of pro-life versus science debates. It could be one of the most important scientific breakthroughs in years.

Marguerite Salam is a Pathologist with the Geisinger Health System. She explained "It's exciting because it's a very easy way of doing what we need to do to treat patients."

Salam is talking about harvesting stem cells from skin tissue. Stem cells can regenerate and possibly be used to cure untreatable diseases like Parkinson’s and Diabetes.

"Things snowball. It's going to be really terrific in the next year or so" declared Salam.

The research could be a common ground for stem cell debate. Some disagree with embryonic stem cell research, arguing life begins at conception or at the embryo. In opponents’ opinion, destroying that embryo is similar to taking a life.

One local pro-life group that disagrees with embryonic stem cell research said this new research is something it would support.

Helen Gohsler is with Pennsylvanians for Human Life. She explained "On the surface it looks like something that could be exciting."

Helen Gohsler is the President of Pennsylvanians for Human Life's Scranton Chapter. Her group supports using adult tissue for stem cell research.

"It sounds like its good news. We are cautiously optimistic. Anything that would be life affirming research is certainly something that we could support" declared Gohsler.

Researchers will try to perfect the new stem cell tissue technique. For now, pro-life groups and scientists seem to have come closer to a common ground on the subject.

President Bush has limited federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, an advocate for embryonic stem cell research, has publicly criticized the president's stance.