It is not a very pleasant task to present this page regarding an opponent- I too am a voter and dislike the negative. I continue, rather, to put my positives front and center both in print and in private. But this is important and necessary and responsibility demands it. All of this is verifiable by anyone with a computer. Our leaders must be principled, even if there is honest disagreement over what the right principles are.
Karl Sipfle
"You are known by the company you keep."
Contradictions and Slippery Slopes? Here are published facts.
1. Campaign Website (and interview with Right To Life) claims Pro-Life Position
"Abortion
For years Lois was torn over this issue, in fact, it was what held her back from running initially. Then my friend Lori Julian-Kuriwchak shared this thought:
‘Since a fetus can be transferred to another womb and there are so many wonderful people who struggle to bear children why would it ever be necessary for anyone to abort, a transfer of a fetus would provide a new life with a loving, enriching welcoming environment that would provide the love necessary to start a quality life with.’"
For years Lois was torn over this issue, in fact, it was what held her back from running initially. Then my friend Lori Julian-Kuriwchak shared this thought:
‘Since a fetus can be transferred to another womb and there are so many wonderful people who struggle to bear children why would it ever be necessary for anyone to abort, a transfer of a fetus would provide a new life with a loving, enriching welcoming environment that would provide the love necessary to start a quality life with.’"
2. Court Document Proves Negotiated 12.75% Interest in Stem Cell Growth Inc.
| 20100625_judgment_filed_0541324651.pdf |
3. Drs. Camillo Ricordi and Joshua Hare are Stem Cell Growth’s scientific team leaders.
From the company website:
About Us
Stem Cell Growth Inc, (SCG) is a privately held, clinical state biotechnology company engaged in the harvest, storage, proliferation and therapeutic use of the stem cell technologies developed by the University of Miami Medical School. SCG utilizes novel IP backed stem cell technologies developing a worldwide network of strategic partnerships.
SCG is engaged in the development of novel IP-backed stem cell therapies and franchising these proprietary technologies into Stem Cell Therapeutic Clinics throughout the world. SCG therapies include the treatment and potential “cure” of diabetes types 1 & 2 and their complications, including peripheral artery disease, heart failure, renal failure, as well as other chronic systemic diseases. The Southeastern United States, Albania and China are the sites of our first three partnerships with many additional territories either in partnership negotiations or currently available for partnership.
Drs. Camillo Ricordi and Joshua Hare, SCG’s scientific team leaders, have developed proprietary stem cell techniques that synergistically increase the likelihood of therapeutic benefit while reducing the chance of transplant rejection in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic cardiovascular complications. SCG is focused on leveraging its broad expertise in stem cell therapies to bring these treatments and related services to the world market through the Stem Cell Growth Transplant Centers, Therapeutic and Cell Processing Facilities.
About Us
Stem Cell Growth Inc, (SCG) is a privately held, clinical state biotechnology company engaged in the harvest, storage, proliferation and therapeutic use of the stem cell technologies developed by the University of Miami Medical School. SCG utilizes novel IP backed stem cell technologies developing a worldwide network of strategic partnerships.
SCG is engaged in the development of novel IP-backed stem cell therapies and franchising these proprietary technologies into Stem Cell Therapeutic Clinics throughout the world. SCG therapies include the treatment and potential “cure” of diabetes types 1 & 2 and their complications, including peripheral artery disease, heart failure, renal failure, as well as other chronic systemic diseases. The Southeastern United States, Albania and China are the sites of our first three partnerships with many additional territories either in partnership negotiations or currently available for partnership.
Drs. Camillo Ricordi and Joshua Hare, SCG’s scientific team leaders, have developed proprietary stem cell techniques that synergistically increase the likelihood of therapeutic benefit while reducing the chance of transplant rejection in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic cardiovascular complications. SCG is focused on leveraging its broad expertise in stem cell therapies to bring these treatments and related services to the world market through the Stem Cell Growth Transplant Centers, Therapeutic and Cell Processing Facilities.
4. Dr. Camillo Ricordi: A Human Embryonic Stem Cell Use Advocate
July 2001
Debate over stem cells worries doctors
BY CHRISTINE MORRIS
cmorris@herald.com
Physicians and scientists at the forefront of stem-cell research worry that the phenomenal life-saving
promise of the cells will be lost in a political storm as President Bush considers blocking federal funding for
the use of frozen embryos in experiments.
``I'm afraid that in the confusion of the emotional debate you block a critically important way to save the lives
of millions,'' said Dr. Camillo Ricordi, director of the University of Miami's Diabetes Research Institute and a
leader in stem-cell research. ``These cells have incredible potential in diseases from diabetes to Parkinson's
to osteoporosis to cartilage replacement.''
Kenneth Goodman, director of UM's bioethics program, puts it this way: ``You must use the tools available to
you to try to reduce human suffering and cure human disease. On what strange ethical ceremony are we
standing by allowing Alzheimer's patients to rot while these cells are being thrown out?''
That thousands of these embryos are being thrown out at fertility clinics leads many researchers to conclude
that recently announced efforts to produce embryos in other ways are unnecessary. And by raising serious
moral issues, they complicate an already messy debate.
The debate was intensified last week when a Virginia fertility clinic announced that it had created human
embryos in the lab solely to increase the supply of stem cells.
Embryonic stem-cell research is opposed by anti-abortion activists and religious conservatives because the
embryos, which they consider human life, are destroyed. Bush is expected to decide this month whether to
stop federal funding for the research.
One argument made by opponents of the use of embryos is that researchers could be using adult stem
cells. Researchers are using them, but it is not yet clear whether they will be as effective.
``I am in disagreement with creating embryos for this purpose,'' said Dr. Arturo Brito, a UM pediatrician who
served on the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, which held nationwide hearings on stem-cell
research. ``There are plenty that are being discarded.''
The commission recommended in 1999 that the government continue to fund research using embryos
remaining after infertility treatments. ``It was very carefully thought out, and we came to a compromise that
we felt represented the majority of the people in this country,'' Brito said.
But that was under a different president, and Brito worries that the commission's conclusions are being
ignored in the current deliberations.
REGULATION NEEDED
He and other scientists argue that federal funding is critical so there will be federal regulation of the research
to ensure it is done ethically and to guarantee widespread access to the results.
``I want my government controlling this,'' said Goodman, the director of UM's bioethics program. ``Imagine
the science goes forward, and we succeed in producing these treatments, but because they are privately
produced they are too expensive for anyone but rich people to afford.''
Goodman serves on the ethical advisory board to Advanced Cell Technology, a Worcester, Mass., company
that is trying to generate stem cells by getting eggs to divide without fertilization.
Stem cells are the very early cells that have the potential to grow into any of the body's cell types. In treating
Alzheimer's disease, brain trauma and spinal-cord injury, for example, researchers are trying to stimulate
stem cells to turn into neurons, then inject them into the area of the brain or spinal cord where neurons have
been lost.
The Jones Institute of Norfolk, Va., made headlines last week by announcing that it is creating embryos for
the express purpose of harvesting stem cells. In contrast with Advanced Cell Technology's work, The Jones
Institute is using both eggs and sperm.
``This is a new approach that doesn't solve any of the old ethical problems,'' Goodman said. ``The Jones
case is a spectacular sideshow, pouring gasoline on the fire when in fact what we wanted was a better
microscope.''
VITAL RESEARCH
Ricordi, the director of UM's Diabetes Research Institute, emphasized that it is vital for research to continue
unimpeded at this stage, both with adult and embryonic cells.
``We're in a stage where it will be important for research to continue to explore all potential sources of stem
cells,'' he said. ``We may know five years from now that you can do exactly the same things with an adult
stem cell. But if you block the use of embryonic stem cells now you will never get the answer.''
UM's new Cellular Therapies and Tissue Engineering Initiative, headed by Ricordi, is coordinating the
research of 60 scientists, many of them focusing on stem cells derived from bone marrow.
Cancer physicians, transplant surgeons, spinal-cord injury researchers and others are trying to figure out
how replacement tissues might be manufactured, in many cases using adult stem cells from muscles, skin
and even fat.
A long-term goal is to be able to build replacement tissue using the recipient's own stem cells. The urgency
of this research is clear to Ricordi, who sees no distinction between organ donation, which is widely
accepted and even encouraged by religious leaders, and use of cells from frozen embryos that will be
discarded.
``Why is it different using a cell from someone who was killed, but it is not OK to use cells from a cluster that
is thrown away after being cryopreserved?'' Ricordi asks.
``It is not a science of death. You are just using what has already been condemned.''
U.S. MAY FALL BEHIND
Whether or not the research is allowed to continue in this country, Ricordi said, it will continue in Europe and
elsewhere.
``It will be sad for American science because it's positioned to be No. 1 in this field and then would be
blocked by political interests that have no scientific basis,'' Ricordi said.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, physicians are determined that the life-saving potential of
this research not be drowned out in the debate. Said John Clarkson, dean of UM's medical school: ``Isn't it
exciting to realize there are cells that have the potential to do almost anything if directed in the right way?''
Debate over stem cells worries doctors
BY CHRISTINE MORRIS
cmorris@herald.com
Physicians and scientists at the forefront of stem-cell research worry that the phenomenal life-saving
promise of the cells will be lost in a political storm as President Bush considers blocking federal funding for
the use of frozen embryos in experiments.
``I'm afraid that in the confusion of the emotional debate you block a critically important way to save the lives
of millions,'' said Dr. Camillo Ricordi, director of the University of Miami's Diabetes Research Institute and a
leader in stem-cell research. ``These cells have incredible potential in diseases from diabetes to Parkinson's
to osteoporosis to cartilage replacement.''
Kenneth Goodman, director of UM's bioethics program, puts it this way: ``You must use the tools available to
you to try to reduce human suffering and cure human disease. On what strange ethical ceremony are we
standing by allowing Alzheimer's patients to rot while these cells are being thrown out?''
That thousands of these embryos are being thrown out at fertility clinics leads many researchers to conclude
that recently announced efforts to produce embryos in other ways are unnecessary. And by raising serious
moral issues, they complicate an already messy debate.
The debate was intensified last week when a Virginia fertility clinic announced that it had created human
embryos in the lab solely to increase the supply of stem cells.
Embryonic stem-cell research is opposed by anti-abortion activists and religious conservatives because the
embryos, which they consider human life, are destroyed. Bush is expected to decide this month whether to
stop federal funding for the research.
One argument made by opponents of the use of embryos is that researchers could be using adult stem
cells. Researchers are using them, but it is not yet clear whether they will be as effective.
``I am in disagreement with creating embryos for this purpose,'' said Dr. Arturo Brito, a UM pediatrician who
served on the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, which held nationwide hearings on stem-cell
research. ``There are plenty that are being discarded.''
The commission recommended in 1999 that the government continue to fund research using embryos
remaining after infertility treatments. ``It was very carefully thought out, and we came to a compromise that
we felt represented the majority of the people in this country,'' Brito said.
But that was under a different president, and Brito worries that the commission's conclusions are being
ignored in the current deliberations.
REGULATION NEEDED
He and other scientists argue that federal funding is critical so there will be federal regulation of the research
to ensure it is done ethically and to guarantee widespread access to the results.
``I want my government controlling this,'' said Goodman, the director of UM's bioethics program. ``Imagine
the science goes forward, and we succeed in producing these treatments, but because they are privately
produced they are too expensive for anyone but rich people to afford.''
Goodman serves on the ethical advisory board to Advanced Cell Technology, a Worcester, Mass., company
that is trying to generate stem cells by getting eggs to divide without fertilization.
Stem cells are the very early cells that have the potential to grow into any of the body's cell types. In treating
Alzheimer's disease, brain trauma and spinal-cord injury, for example, researchers are trying to stimulate
stem cells to turn into neurons, then inject them into the area of the brain or spinal cord where neurons have
been lost.
The Jones Institute of Norfolk, Va., made headlines last week by announcing that it is creating embryos for
the express purpose of harvesting stem cells. In contrast with Advanced Cell Technology's work, The Jones
Institute is using both eggs and sperm.
``This is a new approach that doesn't solve any of the old ethical problems,'' Goodman said. ``The Jones
case is a spectacular sideshow, pouring gasoline on the fire when in fact what we wanted was a better
microscope.''
VITAL RESEARCH
Ricordi, the director of UM's Diabetes Research Institute, emphasized that it is vital for research to continue
unimpeded at this stage, both with adult and embryonic cells.
``We're in a stage where it will be important for research to continue to explore all potential sources of stem
cells,'' he said. ``We may know five years from now that you can do exactly the same things with an adult
stem cell. But if you block the use of embryonic stem cells now you will never get the answer.''
UM's new Cellular Therapies and Tissue Engineering Initiative, headed by Ricordi, is coordinating the
research of 60 scientists, many of them focusing on stem cells derived from bone marrow.
Cancer physicians, transplant surgeons, spinal-cord injury researchers and others are trying to figure out
how replacement tissues might be manufactured, in many cases using adult stem cells from muscles, skin
and even fat.
A long-term goal is to be able to build replacement tissue using the recipient's own stem cells. The urgency
of this research is clear to Ricordi, who sees no distinction between organ donation, which is widely
accepted and even encouraged by religious leaders, and use of cells from frozen embryos that will be
discarded.
``Why is it different using a cell from someone who was killed, but it is not OK to use cells from a cluster that
is thrown away after being cryopreserved?'' Ricordi asks.
``It is not a science of death. You are just using what has already been condemned.''
U.S. MAY FALL BEHIND
Whether or not the research is allowed to continue in this country, Ricordi said, it will continue in Europe and
elsewhere.
``It will be sad for American science because it's positioned to be No. 1 in this field and then would be
blocked by political interests that have no scientific basis,'' Ricordi said.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, physicians are determined that the life-saving potential of
this research not be drowned out in the debate. Said John Clarkson, dean of UM's medical school: ``Isn't it
exciting to realize there are cells that have the potential to do almost anything if directed in the right way?''
