The Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee will conduct hearings on stem cells (adult and embryonic) on Tuesday beginningat 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol. Pro-life citizens are encouraged to attend to show support for adult stem cell research. (Click -HERE- if you need more information.)
Adult stem cell research is far more effective than embryonic stem cell research and does not require the destruction of human embryos. You can also watch the webcast of the hearing by clicking -HERE-."We want to dramatically increase state funding for adult stem cell research and treatments. That is a major goal of Texas Alliance for Life," said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., executive director. "Adult stem cell research is a compassionate alternative to ethically controversial embryonic stem cell research."
The pro-life movement strongly supports stem cell research, so long as human embryos are not destroyed. Adult stem cells are obtained without harming the donor. Blood from umbilical cords -- a byproduct of normal childbirth -- is a rich source of adult stem cells. Transplants of these stem cells have saved the lives of roughly 20,000 Americans with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and several other illnesses in recent years. More than 11,700 Americans with life-threatening diseases and inherited disorders could benefit every year.
But thousands of patients who might benefit from a transplant die every year waiting for a match, according to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.The Texas Cord Blood Bank in San Antonio serves as a public bank for cord blood. Established by the Legislature in 2001 (under a bill strongly supported by Texas Alliance for Life), the Texas Cord Blood Bank stores donated cord blood for transplantation. But the cord blood bank needs more donations to become economically viable. Currently, only four hospitals in Texas gather cord blood, a normal byproduct of healthy births, for the bank. They include Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Valley Baptist medical Center in Harlingen and in Brownsville, and Medical City in Dallas. More hospitals are needed to participate in gathering donations to increase the number of units in the bank, according to the San Antonio Express News.Personal Stories Needed! Thousands of Texans are alive today because of an adult stem cell transplant. If you or someone you know has benefited from adult stem cells, please contact us at 512-477-1244 or info@texasallianceforlife.org. We want to hear your story. Learn how you can help. Your story could help save the lives of many thousands of people.
The prestigious scientific journal Nature issued a corrected news release after claiming a study in its August 24, 2006, edition documented that human embryonic stem cell lines had been created without destroying human embryos. Supposedly, scientists at a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company had created the lines by plucking single cells from embryos without harming the embryos. Unfortunately, that's not exactly what happened -- the scientists destroyed all 16 embryos used in the experiment while making just two stem cell lines. Glenn McGee, a bioethicist at Albany Medical College in New York, says the research -- done by a for-profit company -- is a "pitiful attempt to look morally acceptable, rather than do valuable science," according to a September 4 article in Newsweek.
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM Silent Auction
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM VIP Reception
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Program & Dinner
November Election Is Approaching -- TAL Voters Guides Available for Churches, Neighbors.To make reservations, click -HERE- or contact us at 512-477-1244 or dinner@texasallianceforlife.org.Do you have an item you'd like to donate to our silent auction? Here are some items we need:Children's items, rounds of golf, airplane tickets/miles, event tickets (sports, theater, etc.), holiday items, jewelry, theme baskets, religious art/items, handmade items, sports memorabilia, movie passes, restaurant certificates, gift certificates from service providers including massage, haircuts, cleaners, manicurists, etc.Contact Alexis Dobson at 512-477-1244 or alexis@texasallianceforlife.org to help.
Tuesday, November 7, is the General Election at which Texans will pick their Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Congressman, State Senator and Representative, Supreme Court Judges, and dozens of other offices. Do you know how the candidates stand on the Life issues? Texas Alliance for Life will have non-partisan Voters Guides available for free. These are suitable for distribution in churches. To order any quantity, contact Mary Shearer at 512-477-1244 or mary@texasallianceforlife.org. Early voting runs from Monday, October 23, through Friday, November 3.
Are you registered to vote? You cannot support pro-life candidates unless you are. The last day to register is Tuesday, October 10. Click -HERE- to download a voter registration application from the Secretary of State.
On August 9, 2006, Texas Alliance for Life's executive director, Joe Pojman, Ph.D., gave invited testimony before the Texas House Committee on Public Health concerning the Texas Advance Directives Act. The Texas Advance Directives Act provides people the legal means to make their treatment wishes known in the event they are terminally ill and become unable to communicate their wishes. To view Dr. Pojman's testimony, click -HERE-.
