Jan 23, 2009 4:11 pm US/Central
Controversial Stem Cell Research Advances
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Paralyzed ex-cop Jim Mullen, a CBS 2 reporter, advocates stem cell research so that others like him can be cured.
CBS
A California company now has permission to begin a study involving stem cell research. It's providing hope to patients across the country, including CBS 2's disabilities reporter, Jim Mullen. Kristyn Hartman has the story.
Jim Mullen knows life can change in an instant.
"One day, everything is just like any other ordinary day -- the next day, your whole life is upside down," he said.
Twelve years ago, he was on his police job when someone shot him. The injury left him paralyzed from the neck down.
"Walking or moving my arms or anything like that would be like I won the lottery," he said. "I do have hope for a cure -- not necesarily for me, but for the other people out there."
He understands any cure would follow research -- and there's some big news on that that front. A California firm got the FDA's go-ahead to move forward with the world's first human study using embryonic stem cells, which can develop into any cell of the body.
"So far everything has been kept in the culture dish or in animal models," Dr. Neil Theise of Beth Israel Medical Center said. "Now we're finally taking it to patients who actually have clinical problems."
As part of the study, doctors will monitor those paraplegic patients for improvement. The potential promise it brings comes in the same week President Barack Obama pledged to restore science to its rightful place.
During the Bush administration, limits were set on embryonic stem cell research. Obama has said he favors the research.
John Jansen of the Pro-Life Action League said he wants progress for people with spinal cord injuries but not at the expense of killing embryonic human beings.
"The end does not justify the means," he said.
"If these resources are available, let's put them to use for the benefit of the people," Mullen counters.
The study will use embryonic stem cells that were eligible under the guidelines established during the Bush administration. An FDA spokeswoman says the timing of the study with the new Obama administration is purely coincidental.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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