$Unique_ID{BRK02152}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Importance of Fetal Tissue}
$Subject{Fetal Tissue cells fetuses medical research adults miscarriages
research tissue transplantation growing new cells transplant transplantation
high-tech miscarriages defects science Parkinson's disease juvenile diabetes
muscular dystrophy liver failure chronic pain }
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Importance of Fetal Tissue


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QUESTION:  President Bush vetoed a bill that would have allowed cells from
fetuses to be used in medical research.  Now Governor Clinton says he will
reverse that decision.  Is it really going to make any difference in anyone's
life?  Couldn't scientists have used cells from adults or miscarriages to
develop the cures they think will be available from this research?  I think
you should address this important question in your column.  People need to
know.

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ANSWER:  This is an important question, and though I am not sure I have all
the answers, I do believe that research on tissue transplantation will some
day have important benefits for many people.
     When a group of cells that have a special and unique function in the body
are destroyed by disease, growing new cells to replace the lost ones can be
the solution to a difficult problem.  These new cells can be introduced into
the body as a cell transplant.  Currently people with diseases that affect
their blood cells are treated by marrow transplant, which is really a type of
cell transplant.  In the few studies on cell transplantation that have been
already reported, the future seems promising.  But such research costs money,
no longer available from governmental grants since the moratorium on using
such funds for studies using human fetal tissue was declared in March, 1988.
     While adult tissues can be used, they are more affected by the patient's
own immune system.  There is some new high-tech developments that are seeking
to overcome that problem by developing special "chambers" that shut out the
cells of the immune system, but still allow the chemicals produced by the
cell or needed by the cell to pass.  Cells from miscarriages often contain
the same defects that caused the fetus to die.
     When this science is allowed to progress, the lives of those afflicted
with many diseases could be affected in a dramatic and positive fashion.  A
few of the maladies that could be influenced by new discoveries in cell
transplantation technology include Parkinson's disease, juvenile diabetes (or
insulin dependent diabetes), muscular dystrophy, liver failure, and even
chronic pain.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.