Michael J. Fox Takes on the Stem Cell Research Debate

[Guest Hunter]

I was a little surprised not to see a lively topic on this matter.

 

After Fox's courage to make the case for stem cell research and the harsh Rush Limbaugh criticism and subsequent apology, Michael has risen to hero status in my eyes.

 

Every candidate who supports this research deserves OUR support, as we may be among the first, but certainly not the last, to benefit from it along with Parkinson's disease sufferers.

 

Here's the link to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

 

http://www.michaeljfox.org/

 

And this is a newly added link to the subsequent CNN interview with Fox.

 

[jriva]

.

 

Hunter,

 

We've had a hot discussion of Michael Fox going in one of the blog's comment section for a week or so. I've felt badly that it wasn't on the main board where more people would see it and get involved. Here's a link to it: http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?autom...&showentry=4773

 

I, too, admire Mr. Fox for his courage in putting a face on Parkinson's Disease.

 

Jean

[jwatrous]

I agree 100% as it was heart wrenching to watch, but we should offer more support for stem cell research

June :2cents:

[Robyn]

He is my hero too! I really appreciate what he has done to bring awareness to Parkinsons and stem cell research...very important...

 

There is lots of potential within stem cell research...but I appreciate we need to tread carefully and ensure we are considering all ethical and physical implications of this line of research.

[Guest Hunter]

I have been reading Rich's blog and he seems happy with his own courageous experience with stem cell therapy, but I hope to see what it does with someone who has clearly plateaued or is at least into the second year of his or her stroke.

 

That way we can start to see whether improvements are coming from physical therapy, natural healing, or stem cells.

 

When there are enough people actively undergoing stem cell therapy the scientists will be able to take this from the speculative and wishful thinking stage. I think that is all Michael J. Fox is trying to do. We witnessed Chris Reeves' (and his wife's) valiant struggle to their sad deaths, and likewise, I am afraid, this will be another side story for Fox and his terrible disease.

 

Parkinson's is like getting hit by lightning, stroke more like a car accident. But both affect the brain in ways that MIGHT be amenable to swift and effective medical relief. We can at least try as a society to make sure we have done everything we can to elevate this new science into a generally available, widely applicable, and truly effective medical remedy.

 

Hunter

[Guest MelBaker]

He is my hero too! I really appreciate what he has done to bring awareness to Parkinsons and stem cell research...very important...

 

There is lots of potential within stem cell research...but I appreciate we need to tread carefully and ensure we are considering all ethical and physical implications of this line of research.

:I-Agree: :Nodding: Now - I really just wish that someone would step forward and br the face of stroke/heart and or vascular diease............................

 

It was so painful to watch his interview with Katie Couric - empathizing with the uncontrollable tremors from spasticity sometimes and remembering the wobliness of learning how to walk again - took my breath away :Speechless:

 

I would really recommend reading through the book clubs current blog on our book - Her Sister's Keeper - throws a totally new look on the subject! I believe Jean posted the link above.....

[jriva]

.

 

Mel,

 

The link I gave up above was to Phyllis's blog where the blog comment section is hotly debating Michael Fox. But 'My Sister's Keeper' does have another deep and interesting discussion of the topic of stem cell research and here's a link to that blog: http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?autom...ntry=4710&&st=0 I highly recommend Phyllis' and the book club's blog entry to anyone who is interested in this area of research. Some of the best discussions/debates on this site take place in the blogs.

 

Jean

[tdehaas]

but I hope to see what it does with someone who has clearly plateaued or is at least into the second year of his or her stroke.

 

That way we can start to see whether improvements are coming from physical therapy, natural healing, or stem cells.

 

Hunter,

 

You zeroed in on the issue for discussion on this specific topic as far as i am concerned. Inrrespective of the costs, which currently is beyond my pocketbook and insurance, before i get too excited, I'am waiting to see, hear, or read about the improvements coming outside of a normal course of recovery due to time and rehab.

I know how much recovery I got from wholly participating in a good theraphy program over the course of a nine month period beginniing three months from the event up until thirty months as of today.

 

 

Thanks for hitting the nail.

 

Tom

[Guest Hunter]

Great, Tom.

 

This is a constant thought for me. I guess we all see gradual improvements, but the idea of a magic elixir, a medical fix, is so compelling ... our personal equivalent of the Holy Grail.

 

Hunter

[jriva]

.

 

 

Did everyone see Michael Fox's interview on CBS where he responsed to Rush Limbaugh's criticism? If you missed it, here's a site where you can watch it. I really learned a lot about Parkinson's disease from the interview and he clears up the question about did he or didn't he take his medication before making the political commerical.

 

Jean

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvLsm5vmVXA

[Mema]

Hunter,

 

I looked at the link you posted to the MJF Foundation and I didn't see anything about stem cell research. I believe all stem cell research can be conducted in private labs. What President Bush vetoed was GOVERNMENT FUNDING of embryonic stem cell research. I have no problem with Michael J. Fox spending his own money on this research. From what I have been able to read, there has been some success with cord blood stem cells or adult stem cells, but little from embryonic cells.

 

There is an article (on line) written by Charles Krauthammer called "The Great Stem Cell Hoax" that is quite interesting. Mr. Krauthammer is a quadraplegic from a car accident. It was written in 2001. If anyone is interested in reading the article, here is the link

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b77e77548f8.htm

 

Using my own reasoning power, I think any cure by stem cell therapy of any affliction is years away. And, yes, I have read Rich's blogs. I wish him luck, but I'm not convinced

 

Vi

[Guest Hunter]

CNN's Anderson Cooper is also presenting a quite balanced report, centered on an interview with Fox. One research specialist just made the case for the potential for adult stem cell therapy, apart from embryonic, with its much more emotionally charged issues.

 

Here's a different interview with him on why he supports stem cell research, how he deals with his disability, and his personal life.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq50UJh2W3w

 

And this one with Katy Couric.

 

 

I newly added to my original post the CNN interview link.

 

Hunter

[Guest Hunter]

The cartoonists sure hand it to Rush over his Michael J. Fox gaffe...

 

 

http://www.cagle.com/news/RushRemarks/main.asp

 

Hunter

[swilkinson]

Wow what an impact actually seeing the interview between Michael J. Fox and Ray Preston had for me. He is less shaky in this one but the anguish of his condition is much more evident as he talks about his life, his family and the impact it all has on his kids.

 

I think seen from the point of view of a stroke affected family this is a really powerful statement of how long term illness affects our lives.

 

I have always been ambivalent about stem cell research per see, but wish that indiviuduals such as Michael, our own survivors and those with other brain injuries could benefit from what the future holds. We may still have to wait a long time on this reasearch coming to fruition.

 

Sue.

[Phyllis4732]

Unfortunely, even the tabloids have gotten into the act. When passing through the grocery line, The Globe had a huge picture of Michael J. Fox and one of "their" headlines. Somehow, it's hard to believe anything these trashy papers say, about anything. In a way, when they get into the act, it takes away from the true facts.

[Guest Hunter]

I was able to catch the best parts of the CNN Anderson Cooper interview with Fox, and just now uploaded it to You Tube.

 

 

 

Here is an interview with former Attorney General Janet Reno who shares Fox's disease and his hopes over stem cell research. She defends his going public with his appeal, saying that this is the "best way to educate people on Parkinson's and other degenerative illnesses," adding that "we are so close to solving this ... that it is imperative that we solve it now."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMl_vHzhX2I

 

Hunter

[jriva]

.

 

 

Phyllis,

 

Have you, by chance, reversed or soften your opinion on Michael Fox getting involved in the political process from when we had this debate in your blog? Your post up above has me confused. Are you still against what he is doing to put a face on Parkinson's diasease and to draw attention to stem cell research?

 

Jean

 

 

 

[Phyllis4732]

Yes Jean. I still feel it had no place in someone's election campaign. If Michael J. Fox wants to put the facts out (as he always has for years) on Parkinson's, that's one thing, but in an interview situation - just as Mark MsEwen or even your husband would do - but, not for any candidate.JMHO

 

By the way, am I dreaming or didn't Michael J. Fox years ago have some sort of surgical procedure done for his Parkinson's and at the time it was thought of as helping greatly? You are old enough (LOL, you know what I mean) to know. I believe it was when he was first starring on TV in that sitcom. Hate to admit it, but that was a very long time ago. Believe it was before he married or had any children.

[jriva]

Phyllis,

 

On the Fox Foundation website that Hunter provided in his first post in this thread, you can find a page about several types of surgery that can be used for Parkinson's. I can't really remember if Mr. Fox had it or not, so I guess that means I'm older and more forgetful than you are.

 

You've got to admit that Michael making that political commerical has done more to bring public awarenss about Parkinson's and the stem cell research debate than just doing little 'awarness promos' would have ever done. He's also not the first high profile Hollywood type who has endorsed a candidate because of a single, highly charged issue. Look at what Charles Heston, as the head of the NRA, did for various republicans over the years. The list is endless of actors and actresses who've backed people running for office.

 

As you know I'm really wishy-washy on where I stand on the stem cell research so I welcome having more public debate on the air waves. We need to hear ALL sides to really understand such a complicated topic with such deep moral, medical and societal implications.

 

Jean

[scrappier]

its SAD MIKE FOX IS BEING USED FOR WHAT IS A CLONING BILL (NOT A STEM CELL BILL)

 

WHICH HAS

 

BEEN SHOWN TO NOT BE EFFECTIVE. LIKE CHRIS REEVE, THE DEMS ARE "USING " WHAT THEY PERCEIVE

 

AS VICTIMS AGAIN WITH THEIR "MESSAGE" OH THE BIG BAD REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT YOU TO GET

 

WELL, YEAH RIGHT

 

GET EDUCATED NOT DUPED....GET REAL FIND THE HONEST ANSWERS...THIS WAS FOR

 

A CLONING BILL.....REPEAT AGAIN CLONING HAS BEEN SHOWN NOT TO BE EFFECTIVE READ THE WORK

 

HAPPENING AT UIC, RUSH AND REHAB INSTUTE OF CHICAGO......THIS WAS JUST MORE BUCKS FOR

 

INEFFECTIVENESS....

[jriva]

Jan,

 

Michael Fox is a strong, intelligent individual. Christopher Reeves was a strong, intelligent individual. People can disagree with their very public campaigns to get federally funded stem cell research but I don't understand how anyone can say that they are being used by anyone or any group. Mark McEwen has stepped forward and wants to put a face on stroke survivor issues. Does that mean that he is being used by all of us on this website and the NSA? How can one man's attempt to push a personal agenda be admired while another man's attempt to push a personal agenda be put down as being "used" as if Michael can't and Chris couldn't think for themselves? They know/knew what they were getting into when they stepped forward. How many times on this website have I seen Dick Clark berated for not entering the public arena to take up the cause of stroke survivors? Don't you think that people in the Parkinson's world are elated that Michael has stepped forward? When you support stem cell research the way he does, there is no way to separate that from politics just like a pro-life supporter can't separate their views from politics. They are both after the same thing: changing the laws of this country.

 

Jean

[Phyllis4732]

I had a reply written but when I saw the time had to get off too fast because we were wating for a long distant call.

 

What I had written was that Christopher Reeve did not want to work with a group that had been organized many years befotr his accident. It was and is The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. I may have the title a bit mixes as to exact word used. It was started by Nick Boniconti, a former Miami Dolphin whose son became paralysised when playing football in college. CR wanted his own group. Perhaps if he put his effort into a group whicj was doing very well, he would have gotten further.

 

When are people going to realize that together they can work miracles (yes, politics included) but when they "fight each pther", no one gets anything.

 

Republicans are NOT against stem cell research; they ARE against FETAL STEM CELL RESEARCH. Can you imagine the mess that would occur if people could "sell this product"? It would be the same fiasco as the selling of body parts we often see now. And what if the cells used carried cancer as well (using that as an example.

 

I'm sure individuals would say - I'll take that chance - and then if it happened they would holler and sue.

[tdehaas]

Phylliss et al:

 

Can you imagine the mess that would occur if people could "sell this product"?

 

This suggestion you're making is part of the same debate that's been going on around here for months.

 

To do what you are imaging people are going to do is against the law. And no one around here has been advocating breaking any laws.

 

"Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006"became Public Law 109-242 on 7-19-06. pertainent parts;

 

Solicitation or Acceptance of Tissue From Fetuses Gestated for Research Purposes- It shall be unlawful for any person or entity involved or engaged in interstate commerce to--

 

`(1) solicit or knowingly acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue knowing that a human pregnancy was deliberately initiated to provide such tissue; or

 

`(2) knowingly acquire, receive, or accept tissue or cells obtained from a human embryo or fetus that was gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman animal.'

 

What MJF and others are proposing and advocating is to elect a congress to change the law for the limited purposes of federal financing of research. That is his right to publically advocate and support any candidate that he thinks is supporting his position . Just has it is your right to do the same.

 

Tom

[Guest Hunter]

This article addresses the use of stem cells for liver disease... evidencing the flexibility and range of possible life-saving applications.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061105/us_nm/...ce_stemcells_dc

 

The nay-sayers might find themselves and their loved ones benefiting from this research before the decade is out. Inventor and futurologist Ray Kurzweil told NPR last year that he believes people are alive today who will live INDEFINITELY thanks to the accelerating advances in medical technology.

 

A question to those who might recoil from this on religious grounds: Maybe this is part of some ultimate plan?

 

Hunter

[Guest Hunter]

This article on the published results of a lab study involving mice is further indication of the direction this is going.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061114/hl_nm/stemcells_dc

 

To excerpt:

The study, appearing on Tuesday [Nov. 14, 2006] in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides a fresh example of the potential for using so-called adult stem cells to treat illness by replacing cells damaged by disease or injury.

 

(The chief researcher) said possible human therapies related to his research remain years away. He emphasized the importance of scientists pursuing work on adult and embryonic stem cells as they try to realize the potential of regenerative therapies.

 

"My own feeling is that lots of different approaches should be tried simultaneously because we don't know which ones are going to be the most successful. So we have to push on all fronts," the paper's author said.

 

Hunter