Interview with Dr. Kathy McReynolds on Stem Cells

Public Policy Director for the Christian Institute on Disability Agoura Hills, Calif., Feb. 23, 2009 “As a bio-ethicist and part of a ministry to those with disabilities, I follow closely all of the advances in the field of adult stem cell research. I believe this is our best hope for real cures for hundreds of disabilities and debilitating diseases. “I am greatly concerned about excitement in the stem cell research industry regarding the FDA’s loosening of restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research. News reports indicate that President Obama could overturn the ban on federally-funded human embryonic stem cell research any day now. “I fear for the lives of those who would be experimented on in such a manner. Last week's news reports of the Israeli boy treated with human fetal stem cells in Russia four years ago were chilling. He developed tumors, just as mice have in laboratory experiments with embryonic stem cells. I believe this is just the tip of the ice berg as far as the negative results of human embryonic or fetal stem cell research and treatment.