Madam, - I commend Dick Alhstrom for his timely caution regarding the undue media hype about the potential of stem cell treatment (Opinion & Analysis, March 31st).
I agree that considerable scientific characterisation of any potential stem cell treatment must be conducted before we can control the transformation of these cells into functional adult cells for the treatment of a variety of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Alzheimer's.
However, the assertion that "proven stem cell treatments against any disease are not yet available" is an oversimplification. Bone marrow stem cells have been used successfully for 30 years now in treating and curing a number of diseases - particularly anaemia and leukaemia.
It is important to qualify this, as bone marrow cells are (a) obtained from adult sources that are morally acceptable to Christian religions; (b) relatively easy to procure in a procedure that has become standard in clinics; and (c) contrary to Mr Alhstrom's statement have been documented on numerous occasions to give rise to multiple different cell types other than blood cells, both in vivo and when cultivated ex vivo (see New England Journal of Medicine, August 7th 2003, p.570, Körbling and Estrov).
- Yours, etc,
MÁIRE E DOYLE, PhD. Gainesville, Florida, USA.