http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8vdbf_dr-oz-to-m-j-fox-stem-cell-debate-i_tech
Dr. Oz Tells Oprah: 'The Stem Cell Debate Is Dead'
By Susan Brinkmann, The Bulletin
Friday, April 10, 2009
During a recent appearance on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," the popular
cardiovascular surgeon and television personality, Dr. Mehmet Oz,
announced to a stunned audience that due to advances in adult stem cell
technology, the debate over embryonic stem cells "is dead."
Even more remarkable is that Dr. Oz made this announcement while sitting
next to actor Michael J. Fox, a victim of Parkinson's disease and a
staunch crusader on behalf of embryonic stem cell research.
While holding up the brain of a 50-year-old man to illustrate his point,
Dr. Oz explained: "The problem with embryonic stem cells is that
embryonic stem cells come from embryos, like all of us were made from
embryos, and those cells can become any cell in the body, but it's very
hard to control them and so they can become cancer."
He then adds, "Now, I'm going to say something that's going to be a bit
provocative. I think, Oprah, the stem cell debate is dead, and I'll tell
you why."
Dr. Oz goes on to explain about advances in the use of iPS (induced
pluripotent stem) cells that involve the reprogramming of ordinary skin
cells into stem cells that behave almost exactly like embryonic stem
cells --- only without many of the risks.
Taking Mr. Fox's hand, Dr. Oz says, "Here's what the deal is. I can take
a little bit of your skin, take those cells, get them to go back in
time, so they are like they were when you were first made, and then they
will start to make that dopamine; and I think those cells, because they
won't be as prone to cancer, and because they're your genes, will be the
ones that are ultimately used to cure Parkinson's."
Dr. Oz goes on to say there will be "a big impact in the lives of [those
with] Parkinson's disease, but also diabetics, heart attacks victims,
people who have had a lot of problems" and a cure "in our lifetime." He
adds, "And that's exciting to all of us in medicine."
Embryonic stem cell research, which requires the destruction of human
life, has been plagued with setbacks in the laboratory such as problems
with rejection and the propensity of these cells to spawn tumors. As a
result, embryonic stem cell research has yet to be used to treat a
single human condition.
On the other hand, adult stem cell technology has been experiencing
rapid advances in recent years and is being used to treat a host of
conditions including cancer, autoimmune diseases, strokes, cartilage and
bone damage, and heart and liver disease.
/Susan Brinkmann can be reached at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>/
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