Notre Dame ReSource: Stem cell research still far from cure | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame






	
	





  	Skip To Content
	Skip To Navigation
	Skip To Search






  
  
    University of Notre Dame

    
      
      Notre Dame News

      
      
    


    
    
      
        
        
        	
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us
	


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      


      
    


    
    
      	 Home
	 Contact
	 Search
	
          
          
            
            
          
          Menu
        
        


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    

  

  
  

  

  
    	Home › 
	News › 
	Notre Dame ReSource: Stem cell research still far from cure


    
      
        
          Notre Dame ReSource: Stem cell research still far from cure

          
            
              
                
                Published: August 26, 2004
              

              
                Author: Erik Runyon
              

              







          

          
          
          

          
        
        
        
          

Current research on embryonic stem cells has touched off a debate reaching into the presidential campaign, but experts say it will be a long time before the research leads to cures for diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers. In fact, they note, scientists working with embryonic stem cells have not yet effectively cured any diseases, even in animals.p. “Debates about human embryonic stem cell research focus on the question of how close we are to a cure. But few people with knowledge of the science think we are very close,” said Gerald McKenny, a bioethicist, professor of theology and director of the John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology and Values at the University of Notre Dame.p. “Scientists and disease lobbies looking for government funding for any kind of scientific research routinely make it sound as if we are on the brink of a big clinical payoff,” McKenny said. “They rarely take the time to explain how long and hard the path usually is from the lab to the clinic.”p. The ethical and moral controversy over the use of embryonic stem cells has created a drive to find promising clinical results using adult stem cells, but has added another layer of complication to an already complex question.p. “Many of those who see a moral imperative to fund this research think that the imperative exists even if only tomorrows sick people will benefit from it,” McKenny said, “while many of those who oppose it think it is morally wrong even if it could end up helping people who are now sick.”p.  Media contact: Gerald McKenny, (574)631-4520 or McKenny.4@nd.edu . p.  The New York Times contributed to this story.

TopicID: 6644

        

        
        
          
            

          

        
      
      
    
  
  
    	Home
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us


  

  
  
    
     
  
  

  
  
    
      	For the Media
	Contact


    
            
    
      
	Office of Public Affairs and Communications


      Notre Dame News

      
        
          
            500 Grace Hall
 
            Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
          
          
          
          
        

        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 Pinterest


        
      

      
© 2022 University of Notre Dame

    
    
      

        
      
      
        
          	Search
	Mobile App
	News
	Events
	Visit
	Accessibility


        
        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 LinkedIn