The Texas Legislature is meeting in Austin for a special session to address funding for public education. Other issues may come up if the Legislature finishes its work before the May 17 deadline. Please contact Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Tom Craddick. Ask them to oppose any bill to allow our state taxes to be used for research that destroys human embryos, including research involving human embryonic stems and cloning. For more information, please click -HERE-.
The pro-life movement supports research on stem cells, as long as they are "adult" stem cells. These are taken without harming the donor. Adult stem cells reside in many places in our bodies -- blood, bone marrow, certain nerves, fat, and others, including umbilical cord blood. Research on adult stem cells is ethical and productive. Thousands of people are alive today because they received adult stem cell transplants or therapies.We oppose research involving human embryonic stem cells and cloning because these require the destruction of human embryos -- human life at its earliest stages. During the two special sessions last summer, the legislature considered several bills that would have created tax-funded research centers in Houston and possibly other locations. For a pro-life response, see the letter from "Texans for Ethical Research."
The Texas Alliance for Life "Love Life" Walk for Life 2006 will be held on Saturday, June 10, in Austin and Saturday, June 17, in Georgetown. You can even walk on your own at any time. This wonderful two-mile walk-a-thon is fun and exciting, and it raises much-needed funds for pro-life activities throughout the state. Why not walk two miles to help protect innocent human life?
Please register as a walker TODAY and start getting pledges! Join other walkers who have already registered by clicking -HERE-. Can't walk on your own? Sponsor a registered walker with a donation. Click -HERE-.We have a special Walk for Life 2006 website that makes registering as a walker and signing up for sponsors very easy by clicking -HERE-. As always, the Walk for Life is fun for the whole family.Questions? Contact us at walk@texasallianceforlife.org or 512-477-1244.
Researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital have proposed anew treatment for children with brain injuries using non-embryonic stem cells. The treatment will use a child's own stem cells extracted from his/her bone marrow (a form of adult stem cells). No embryonic stem cells will be used, making the research supported by the pro-life community.
"It's exciting to hear about this ethical stem cell research, which does not depend on the destruction of human embryos," said Beverly Nuckols, M.D., board member of Texas Alliance for Life. "These are truly patient-specific stem cells because they came from the patient's own bone marrow. There is no fear of rejection. This exemplifies the advantage of using the patient's own adult stem cells."Charles Cox, M.D., (left) and James Baumgartner, M.D., have received approval for the study to be conducted this year. According to a news release from the UT Health Science Center, Cox and Baumgartnerhave permission to recruit 10 head
injury patients between the ages of 5 and 14 who meet criteria set for enrollment. After initial treatment and evaluation, a pediatric surgeon will approach the injured child's parents to explain the trial and request permission to enroll the child in the study. If permission is granted, bone marrow will be extracted from the child's hip and then processed to derive non-embryonic stem cells, which are then given intravenously to the injured child. The cells will migrate to the damaged area of the brain and induce brain repair. Because the non-embryonic stem cells come from the child, rejection should not be a problem. The children's brain function will be carefully evaluated after the procedure for improvement.
The researches are currently recruiting patients. More information can be found at the National Institutes of Health website http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00254722?order=1.The researchers say that, while the project is very promising, more state funds are needed to attract federal dollars for subsequent studies..
After the legislature passed the Women's Right to Know Act in 2003, the Texas Department of State Health Services produced two wonderful brochures designed for pregnant women considering abortion:
Many pro-life organizations, however, are helping women by handing the brochures to women walking into abortion facilities or mailing them to women who call and request information.
"The Legislature intended for women to have this information before they make a decision to have an abortion so that they can make a truly informed decision," says Judy Vatterott from Life Advocates in Houston. "The abortion doctors are circumventing the will of the legislature by refusing to provide this information. We give women these booklets, and the results have been very positive." Vatterott says they have seen hundreds of women change their minds and not have an abortion.Individuals and organizations can order the brochures, which are funded with abortion facility licensing fees, through the Texas Department of State Health Services free of charge. For more information click -HERE- or call 512-458-7222 ext 6663.
