Stem Cells Will Revolutionize Dental Care

Imagine a denture-free world. Its closer than you may think. Researchers at Nova Southeastern University in Florida are using adult stem cells to grow replacement teeth.

Cloning teeth as a new solution in health care will benefit the 45 million Americans who have problems with their dentures.

According to a report in the Sun-Sentinel, A 2009 NSU survey of dentists around the nation revealed that more than half thought that they would be using stem cell and tissue engineering therapies on their patients within the next decade. An overwhelming 96 percent of dentists believe the ability to regenerate and replace teeth and dental tissues is the future of dentistry, according to the survey.

So far, stem cells have been used to successfully regenerate teeth in the lab and in animals. It is said that mainstream dental treatments using stem cells will not be available for another decade to 50 years.

At the same time, the introduction of dental stem cell therapies can be sped up if more funds are devoted to research, something that might now readily happen in this uncertain economy.

So smile, the future looks bright for stem cell dental care.

The Dickey-Wicker Amendment Stunts Stem Cell Growth

Everyone should be talking about the Dickey-Wicker Amendment.

Well, according to the wise stem cell advocate who posted this statement on a cluttered message board, anyway.

Regardless of whether or not his attempts to bring the Dickey-Wicker Amendment into the stem cell debate will be successful, he's right - Everyone should be talking about it.

Why?

Because it has prohibited the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) since 1995 from using appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed.

In other words, embryos destined to be tossed out at in vitro clinics will not be used for revolutionary stem cell research that could one day save millions of lives.

Instead, they will be dumped and discarded because of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment.

Unfortunately, no matter how many executive orders are put in place to lift stem cell funding restrictions, the Dickey-Wicker Amendment will choke off scientists from much needed research cash as long as it is in effect.

Knowing this, why isn't everyone talking about it?

Stem cell advocates and enthusiasts should be marching in the streets to have this amendment overturned.

Hopefully… for the sake of science, they will.