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To: Tom Clarke who wrote (184363)	10/28/2006 8:50:42 AM
From: Tom Clarke	Respond to of 793782

Stem cells create tumours, says expert By Jane Bunce October 10, 2006 06:12pm Article from: AAP EMBRYONIC stem cells turn into tumours when injected into human tissue and therefore cannot be used to treat diseases, a visiting US expert said today. Professor James Sherley, a researcher in the field of adult stem cells, is one of a series of experts in Canberra to lobby MPs ahead of a conscience vote on whether a ban on therapeutic cloning should be overturned. Prof Sherley, from Boston's Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), today said scientists had failed to reveal problems with embryonic stem cells that would prevent them being used in humans. The unique feature of embryonic stem cells that allowed them to turn into any cell of the body, known as pluripotency, created a problem when researchers injected them into tissue, Prof Sherley said. “When you put them in an environment where they can grow and develop, they make lots of different kind of tissues,” Prof Sherley said. “This tumour formation property is an inherent feature of the cells. “And all you have to do is simply inject them into an animal tissue – this happens at very high efficiency. “And although some might say we can solve the tumour problem down the road, that's equivalent to saying we can solve the cancer problem and we may, but that's a long time coming.” Prof Sherley said the tumours, called teratomas, were generally considered benign, but it was possible they could metastasize or produce chemicals such as enzymes and cytokines that affect other parts of the body. Prof Sherley said many scientists agreed with his views but were too scared to speak out over concerns it could affect their funding and reputation. Adult stem cells were not known to form tumours, he said. Prof Sherley's concerns were echoed by University of Melbourne Emeritus Professor of Medicine Thomas Martin, who spoke about the science of therapeutic cloning at a parliamentary library lecture today. Another University of Melbourne scientist, Professor Bob Williamson, will speak in favour of changing the laws tomorrow. Prof Martin said the expert Lockhart review had not seriously considered the issue of tumours and no research had been published showing how it could be overcome. He did not believe embryonic stem cells would lead to treatments for diseases for which they were commonly touted as a miracle cure, such as diabetes. But Liberal MP and therapeutic cloning advocate Dr Mal Washer said researchers were already on the way to solving the tumour problem. He said several laboratories had published new techniques that dramatically reduced teratoma formation, some giving “literally no teratoma formation whatsoever”. “These guys haven't done their homework,” he said. Dr Washer also disputed the professors' other claims that cloned cells were genetically defective and that embryonic stem cells lacked adult stem cells' ability to regenerate tissue. Family First senator Steve Fielding, who hosted Prof Sherley's visit, said the debate in Australia had largely focussed on the ethics of cloning instead of the science. “Quite clearly there has been a lot of misinformation,” he said. Former health minister Kay Patterson, who attended today's lecture, last month unveiled a private member's Bill based on the recommendations of the Lockhart review amid growing confidence it has the support to pass. Present legislation allows scientists to extract stem cells from spare IVF embryos, but prevents embryos being cloned for their stem cells. Prime Minister John Howard indicated in August he would allow his MPs a conscience vote on the contentious matter if legislation ever came before the Parliament. news.com.au link via extremewisdom.com