Vatican and Biotech Company Hold Conference to Promote Adult Stem Cell Research
- Posted on November 8, 2011 at 4:53pm by
Liz Klimas
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It may seem like an unusual partnership — the Vatican and a U.S. biotech company — but they’ve teamed up to shift focus from embryonic stem cell research in the industry to promoting use of adult stem cells for treating disease.
The Vatican’s culture office and NeoStem Inc., are hosting a three-day conference starting Wednesday on adult stem cells, drawing scientists, patients, biotech CEOs and cardinals together. This partnership is the first time the Vatican has partnered with a publicly traded company to advance scientific research.
The church teaching holds that life begins at conception, and as a result, the Vatican opposes embryonic stem cell research because embryos are destroyed in the process.
According to NeoStem’s website, the company goal is to advance adult stem cell and cord blood research, which, compared to embryonic research, has been a slower growing field. The company believes this is because of lack of “education and understanding of the benefits of adult stem cell therapy.” And for this reason, they have partnered with the Vatican:
We believe that the Vatican’s choice to partner with NeoStem in its first commercial collaboration to advance adult stem cell research and therapy development demonstrates its acceptance and support of adult stem cells and will significantly contribute to accelerating stem cell-based regenerative medicine therapies and that their support will add significant value to our shareholders.
In a news release earlier this year, NeoStem and the Pontifical Council’s Foundation — called STOQ International (Science Theology and the Ontological Quest) — announced the November meeting. The conference will include adult stem cell research experts another leaders in the field ”but, unlike a research-focused conference, attendees will include Church and scientific leaders, policymakers, ethicists, educators, Ministers of Health from around the world, ambassadors to the Holy See, and representatives of the stem cell therapeutic business community.”
“The unique collaboration with NeoStem must focus on two considerations,” Rev. Tomasz Trafny said in the release. “The
Rev. Tomasz Trafny (Photo: NeoStem)
first one is related to the sharing of the same sensitivity for ethical values that has at its center the protection of human life at all stages of its existence. The second concerns investigation on cultural consequences that will be caused by scientific discoveries in the field of adult stem cell research and adult stem cell applications in regenerative medicine. For these reasons, we’ve entered into a long term formal agreement with NeoStem and are working together tracing paths of further developments, activities and additional collaborations.”
In 2010, according to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, the Vatican endorsed NeoStem with $1 million in funding for research of adult stem cell therapy.
Adult stem cell transplants have become a standard lifesaving therapy for people with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood diseases. Embryonic cells may be used someday to grow replacement tissue for diseases like Parkinson’s.
Watch NeoStem’s video on its partnership with the Vatican:
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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SharkBoy713
Posted on November 20, 2011 at 2:32pmI myself am very pro for stem cell research. It’s potentials can save lives. That is said very often. However the details of the potentials are astonishing. With the right tools and the right procedure you can recreate organs like the heart and liver. Stem Cell Technologies have already been used to recreate organs like the ear.
Report Post »Arcangel Michael
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:00pmJesus, I trust in You
http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplethistory.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySdEJx50Z0&feature=related
Report Post »BloodyArtist22
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:26amHoly crap….no really. For once, I have something good to say about the Vatican. GO CATHOLIC TEAM!!! The more praise the world gets from the Pope on ADULT stem cell research (which also allows volunteers instead of voluntold babies) the more the world will focus on that instead of the evil that can come from any embryo research.
Report Post »absolutelynot
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:24pmCytori , Ticker cytx has been using adult stem cells derived from adipose for years
Report Post »Joe Bonham
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:37pmIts interesting how “Christians” would prefer REAL people with REAL diseases continue to get sick and die instead of using life saving research on some frozen embryos.
Report Post »Amy
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:49amFight fire with fire I say. The more embryonic stem cells are used, the more abortion seems like an OK thing to most folks.
I think the Vatican has it right. Adult stem cell research has proven it can be done – to a point – Now, God Bless You go complete the findings, get the modern technology to help people worldwide and help stop the abortion madness.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:39am4truth2all——- I said I was a Christian. I did mention, that bible wise, people should not be like the Pharisees, and only know the written law, but they should learn the heart, which the pharisees had a problem with, and therefore abused the word. There are many denominations of Christianity, because of different doctrine, or different interpretations of the bible. I will not judge a Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian as being out of the church of Christ, because they simply do not have the same Christian beliefs as my congregation.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:29amI remember in my religions of the world studies, learning about the 7th day Adventists, and the fact they will not tell you their church was started by a woman by the name of Ellen White. She was struck in the head by rock thrown at her by children who did not like her. She lay in a coma for several months, and upon waking, started having auditory and visual hallucinations. Not surprising, since she also started having a type of seizure which can cause this. Later, a group of people started following her, because she now claimed to be a prophet of God. She founded the 7th Day Adventists, but her messages became so bizarre, some of her leaders broke away and formed their own congregation. The 7th Day believe they are the true remnant of God, and only they will go to heaven. All other Christians will go to hell. This is my problem with any Christian religion that claims they are the sole word of God. Want more info on the 7th Day. J. Vieth is a member of the 7th Day I post this.http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Seventh-Day%20Adventist/seventh_day_adventist_cult.htm
Report Post »holy ghostbuster
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:01am@ROSSPOLDDARK – We heard you the first time.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:03amSorry Holy Ghost Busters, but there was a problem initially with my first post downloading. Not unlike other peoples posts I have seen more the once elsewhere on the Blaze
Report Post »Servant314
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:59amIt’s not “Most” of the real progress in stem cell research is being made with adult stem cells – ALL of the REAL progress is with adult stem cells. This is great news. The Orthodox Church and most of the Protestant churches should join them.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:48amStem cell research is alchemy and, alchemy is a science that is no science. The Vatican has proven itself to be Luciferian, and no longer worthy of my support.
Report Post »sta
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:06amHoly Moly! The Blaze has a Catholic Church story that doesn’t show it in a bad light and the posters are talking alchemy? *sigh*
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:05amMost of the real progress in stem cell research is being made with adult stem cells. I am glad that the Church is helping to fund that research and thus to prove that you don’t have to create and destroy life in order for stem cells to be helpful.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:52amStem cells can also be obtained from a babies umbilical cord, but adult stem cell research is a step up. There is no proof that one is better than the other though.
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:10pmI can’t help it, I’m suspect whenever the Pope gets involved in anything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBRPF9uCYk (it’s an hour and a half lecture but will open your eyes big time).
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:35pmThanks for the link. Seems very interesting.
Report Post »conservativewoman
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:26amWalter J Veith is the man that produced that video and is a Seventh Day Adventist. The Adventist church was started by a charlaton minister named William Miller who predicted Christ would return in 1844. It is a Johnny-come-lately religion that listens to the writings of Ellen G. White who was deeply involved with the Free Masons and has a Masonic obelisk on her grave.
Seventh Day Adventist don’t even believe that Jesus is the son of God!
Oh, but if they support your bigoty against the Catholic church, you don’t care, do you?
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:09amOh here we go again with you and your video mocking the Catholic religion. To all Christians here, and I am one. All of Christianity, and that includes yours ‘One of Many,’ falls short of the glory of God, because all of Christian doctrine and the bible, have been reinterpreted by imperfect humans for thousands of years, and is always subject to many different interpretations by various theologians. Any theologian or religious scholar can twist history to suit their particular religious needs. To say that any one christian religion is the prefect word of God, and the rest of all Christendom is going to hell simply because they do not subscribe to your particular christian faith is a lot of hog wash. As I already said, when we stand before God, I am sure he will shed light on what he really had expected from all of Christianity, and he may even put smug Christians who had big enough egos to think that there churches were without error in their place. Do not be like the pharisees and only know the word, but also learn the heart of the law. God loves us if we are all sincere in our devotion to him, despite we are all imperfect humans. Did you know that for hundreds of years after Jesus death, there was not written bible, and the word was handed down by the apostles. If you read about each of them, even they had different perspectives on scripture, that would eventually be written down.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:11amOh here we go again with you and your video mocking the Catholic religion. To all Christians here, and I am one. All of Christianity, and that includes yours ‘One of Many,’ falls short of the glory of God, because all of Christian doctrine and the bible, have been reinterpreted by imperfect humans for thousands of years, and is always subject to many different interpretations by various theologians. Any theologian or religious scholar can twist history to suit their particular religious needs. To say that any one christian religion is the prefect word of God, and the rest of all Christendom is going to hell simply because they do not subscribe to your particular christian faith is a lot of hog wash. As I already said, when we stand before God, I am sure he will shed light on what he really had expected from all of Christianity, and he may even put smug Christians who had big enough egos to think that there churches were without error in their place. Do not be like the pharisees and only know the word, but also learn the heart of the law. God loves us if we are all sincere in our devotion to him, despite we are all imperfect humans. Did you know that for hundreds of years after Jesus death, there was not written bible, and the word was handed down by the apostles. If you read about each of them, even they had different perspectives on scripture, that would eventually be written down.
Report Post »~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:13amOh here we go again with you and your video mocking the Catholic religion. To all Christians here, and I am one. All of Christianity, and that includes yours ‘One of Many,’ falls short of the glory of God, because all of Christian doctrine and the bible, have been reinterpreted by imperfect humans for thousands of years, and is always subject to many different interpretations by various theologians. Any theologian or religious scholar can twist history to suit their particular religious needs. To say that any one christian religion is the prefect word of God, and the rest of all Christendom is going to hell simply because they do not subscribe to your particular christian faith is a lot of hog wash. As I already said, when we stand before God, I am sure he will shed light on what he really had expected from all of Christianity, and he may even put smug Christians who had big enough egos to think that there churches were without error in their place. Do not be like the pharisees and only know the word, but also learn the heart of the law. God loves us if we are all sincere in our devotion to him, despite we are all imperfect humans. Did you know that for hundreds of years after Jesus death, there was not written bible, and the word was handed down by the apostles. If you read about each of them, even they had different perspectives on scripture, that would eventually be written down.
Report Post »~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RossPoldark
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:14amOh here we go again with you and your video mocking the Catholic religion. To all Christians here, and I am one. All of Christianity, and that includes yours ‘One of Many,’ falls short of the glory of God, because all of Christian doctrine and the bible, have been reinterpreted by imperfect humans for thousands of years, and is always subject to many different interpretations by various theologians. Any theologian or religious scholar can twist history to suit their particular religious needs. To say that any one christian religion is the prefect word of God, and the rest of all Christendom is going to hell simply because they do not subscribe to your particular christian faith is a lot of hog wash. As I already said, when we stand before God, I am sure he will shed light on what he really had expected from all of Christianity, and he may even put smug Christians who had big enough egos to think that there churches were without error in their place. Do not be like the pharisees and only know the word, but also learn the heart of the law. God loves us if we are all sincere in our devotion to him, despite we are all imperfect humans. Did you know that for hundreds of years after Jesus death, there was not written bible, and the word was handed down by the apostles. If you read about each of them, even they had different perspectives on scripture, that would eventually be written down.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:41amYo Ross;
Report Post »The bible does not have a thousand different meanings for a thousand different people…. One God, one meaning.
As you yourself mention, the Pharasies understood the meaning. There was not DIFFERING opinion in understanding. Jesus never accused them of this. Their problem was in their hearts, and thus they mis-used it.
A whole lot of what you say is incorrect, and open ended. and in turn allows the enemy in to divide, which by your own statements exists. Problem is your thinking is the cause of much of it. Stop being a Catholic and be a follower of CHRIST. If we all did this there would only be ONE church as intended by God…. or is that just MY interpretation of scripture.
by faith
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:48amSeventh-Day Adventists agree with many Catholic doctrines, including the Trinity, Christ’s divinity, the virgin birth, the atonement, a physical resurrection of the dead, and Christ’s Second Coming. They use a valid form of baptism. They believe in original sin and reject the Evangelical teaching that one can never lose one’s salvation no matter what one does (i.e., they correctlyreject “once saved, always saved”).
Unfortunately, they also hold many false and strange doctrines. Among these are the following: (a) the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon; (b) the pope is the Antichrist; (c) in the last days, Sunday worship will be “the mark of the beast”; (d) there is a future millennium in which the devil will roam the earth while Christians are with Christ in heaven; (e) the soul sleeps between death and resurrection; and (f) on the last day, after a limited period of punishment in hell, the wicked will be annihilated and cease to exist rather than be eternally damned. (For rebuttals of many of these ideas, see the Catholic Answers tracts, The Antichrist, The Hell There Is, Hunting the Whore of Babylon, The Whore of Babylon, and Sabbath or Sunday?)
Report Post »by faith
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:48amMany Adventists insist that, as a matter of discipline (not doctrine), one must not eat meats considered unclean under the Mosaic Law (many endorse total vegetarianism), and one must avoid “worldly entertainments” (card-playing, dancing, smoking, drinking, reading non-religious books, listening to non-religious music, watching non-religious television, going to the movies, etc.).
Adventists also subscribe to the two Protestant shibboleths, sola scriptura (the Bible is the sole rule of faith) and sola fide (justification is by faith alone). Other Protestants, especially conservative Evangelicals and Fundamentalists, often attack Adventists on these points, claiming they do not really hold them, which is often used as “proof” that they are “a cult.” However, along the spectrum of Protestantism (from high-church Lutherans and Anglicans to low-church Pentecostals and Baptists), there is little agreement about the meaning of these two phrases or about the doctrines they are supposed to represent.
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