1. I must have my head in the sand these days…I hadn’t heard about amniotic fluid and stem cells. Again, a remarkable advancement…and DB, I feel you will be here to see, if not a full cure,at least better manageability of PD.

   How extremely exciting! A good post, lots of info here I didn’t know!

2. Head in the sand? No, you’ve just had more important matters on your mind. You are constantly in my prayers.

   This really is a breakthrough, as there are no moral objections to this source. I imagine there will more in the news about it over the course of this year.

3. You recently left a comment on my blog, http://deadbugs.blogspot.com, in response to my post regarding my father’s declining health due to Parkinson’s. I wanted to say how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and have enjoyed reading over your latest posts. I am so impressed by your upbeat energy and drive; you have tremendous strength.

   I felt compelled to comment regarding today’s topic, as stem cell research is always on my radar screen, as well as anything to do with in vitro fertilization (IVF), from which the embryos used for stem cell lines are created. As one who has spent three years researching (and undergoing) IVF, I can say unequivocally that there is no need whatsoever to create embryos simply for the purposes of stem cell research. Importantly, there is no credible research organization or university who has proposed such a plan. In the US, there are tens of thousands of IVF cycles every year, and many thousands of embryos are simply discarded when they are not needed to achieve a pregnancy. The idea that there is something so promising to be done with them seems like the ultimate moral “right”.

   The possibility that amniotic fluid will one day be able to produce the same quality stem cells in a manner that can be replicated as effectively as those from embryos is very exciting. (At present, the process of isolating stem cells from amniotic fluid is still fraught with difficulties.) I hope very much that there will be breakthroughs in this area, and that new therapeutics for Parkinson’s and so many other diseases will flow from this research.

   Wishing you well with your new medication, and looking forward to reading your blog on a regular basis!

   –Bugs

4. I’m so glad you took me up on my suggestion you come here, Bugs! You can contact me via email, if you like, as well.

   I can understand your viewpoint about IVF, as I, too, was not supposed to be able to get pregnant. We had already adopted one precious baby when I did carry one baby to full term. We consider both of our daughters to be God’s gift to us.

   I realize that there is not a reason to create embryos just for stem cell research, but somehow human beings have a way over time of justifying more and more “progressive” forms of research. That ultimate possibility gives me pause. That’s why I was so enthusiastic on seeing the research with amniotic fluid and placental tissue.

   I look forward to seeing your comments in the future, and I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.

5. DB,
   I agree with you about where increased work with embryonic stem cells could lead. The dicovery of the cells in amniotic fluid is great news. Also, lets not forget that many promising trials with adult stem cells are already underway and show great promise.

6. I hadn’t forgotten about the adult stem cell research, mozartmovement. I ran across some references to tumors that have developed with the use of current stem cell lines, so I’ll have to do some more research before commenting much on those. Maybe you can find something definitive before I do. If so, please give me a heads up, OK?

7. DB,
   I’m not a scientist, just a geriatric psych nurse with an interest in bioethics. I’ll refer you and your readers to a fairly comprehensive website:
   http://www.stemcellresearch.org/

8. Thanks for the link, MM! I’ll be interested in reading what they have to say.

9. Thank you for inviting me to your blog… I have had Parkinson’s for 10 years. I just turned 49. I have been married 28 years, have three girls and one grandchild!
   I have been in one clinical trial. I am currently on Mirapex and Sinimet, plus a vitamin drink that has restored my energy!!

   Have you read the book, “Parkinson’s Disease and The Art of Moving?” by, John Argue I have it but haven’t read it yet. A friend gave it to me and said it is wonderful for keeping our bodies in good condition with Parkinson’s.

10. Sorry forgot to sign my name…

    Tami

11. Hi Tami! You can stop being Anonymous if you like by choosing Other in the Identity field, and putting your name in ;). Or, you could open a Google mail account and use that to sign in.

    I was on the Sinemet trial to begin with, but it nauseated me and cramped my stomach. I’ve not taken Mirapex. Now that the Gastroenterologist has my digestive problems under control, maybe I’ll be better able to tolerate Sinemet.

    And I’ve not heard of that book, either. I took private lessons in Tai Chi soon after I was diagnosed, to refresh a class I had taken some years ago. I try to do that every morning, if I possibly can. And I was walking every day, until Daddy fell. Now I’m getting a different kind of exercise, but it’s exercise, nevertheless.

12. This is excellent news and hopefully they can get human trials going fast so many lives will be saved.

    At first I was against any form of stem cell research but realized it is the only route to go as it will save millions of people from the agony of dreadful diseases and millions of laboratory animals.

13. My initial reaction to stem cell research was the same, Jackie. Now, I’m getting excited about it.

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