LifeBeat for December 29, 2007

Barbara Listing, president of Right to Life of Michigan, looks back at what has happened with prolife issues in Michigan over the last year. To listen, click here.

LifeBeat for December 22, 2007

Michelle Burke, field representative for Right to Life of Michigan, shares about the March for Life and bus trips leaving Michigan for this annual event in January. To listen, click here.

LifeBeat for December 15, 2007

Wesley Smith talks again about human cloning and the hubris of some scientists who believe they have a right to cloning. He also discusses what happens when society begins down the slippery slope on bio-ethical issues. To listen, click here.

Critical Reading on Stem Cell Research

At StemCellResearchCures.com, we've started a new series which will provide commentary on recent news articles on stem cell research. We've also posted a critical reading which allows visitors to read what Michigan's laws against human cloning and killing human embryos for research actually say.

Critical Reading #1 discusses an article entitled "More travel overseas for stem cell therapy" which was published in the Detroit News on November 29, 2007.

Critical Reading #2 provides links to Michigan's legislation on human cloning and killing human embryos for research and provides a brief explanation of these laws.

Critical Reading #3 reviews an article entitled "Stem cell discovery might help state life-sci industry" which was published in the Ann Arbor Business Review on December 6, 2007.

Tags: stem cell research, human cloning, michigan

LifeBeat for December 8, 2007

Wesley Smith again discusses human cloning for research and the dangers of a society which doesn't recognize the intrinsic value of human life. To listen, click here.

Tags: human cloning, stem cell research, wesley smith

Life Facts - From Mice to Men ... within 6 months

First the famous "mouse study" made headlines last June, with Prof. Shinya Yamanaka from Japan, who successfully reprogrammed mouse skin cells back to an embryonic state. As little as 6 months later, this procedure has been duplicated in humans! This new method known as direct reprogramming, produces iPS (induced pluripotent state) cells all without harming, cloning or destroying embryos. James Thomson from the University of Wisconsin and Shinya Yamanaka from Kyoto University in Japan are responsible for this unquestionable huge advancement. Consequentially, Prof. Ian Wilmut, the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, has announced that he has halted cloning experiments using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) stating, "this [direct reprogramming method] is the future of stem cell research." Science itself is putting to rest the controversial stem cell debate. Researchers can now venture full speed ahead, with support from all sides, to find cures without delay.

James Thomson, the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells in 1998, said it best, "Isn't it great to start a field and then to end it?" These leading scientists have come full circle, admitting there is no future in embryonic stem cell research.

Read the articles linked below in their entirety:

Dolly Creator Prof. Ian Wilmut Shuns Cloning

New Stem Cell Method Could Ease Ethical Concerns

Man who helped start stem cell war may end it