Parkinson's Disease News

The Latest News in Stem Cell Research:

Much of the Parkinson’s community has cheered President Barack Obama’s reversal of the Bush policy of restricting federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

"Our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said as he signed the documents changing the policy. "It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda — and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology," Obama said.

The American Parkinson Disease Association declared its position on stem cell research in a statement in 2004, during national debate on this issue. The text of the statement follows:

Dr. G. Frederick Wooten, chairman of the ADPA Scientific Advisory Board, has presented the following as an overview of the board’s position on stem cell research.

The Scientific Advisory Board:

• Supports embryonic stem cell research subject to ethical research and peer review.

• Accepts the possibility of transplantation tissue of embryonic origin to help in aiding Parkinsonians, however, it does not necessarily hold the view that it will offer a cure.

• Supports private and government funding for embryonic stem cell research.

• Will judge every research proposal by its merits and the APDA grant policy.

The Parkinson’s community (and other diseases with hope for stem cell success) regards embryonic stem cell research as a bright hope for a possible cure.  We must now leave this in the hands of the brilliant scientists and researchers who have brought us this far on the road to successful treatment. Stay tuned…