Stress and Cheeseburgers Kill Stem Cells and You

Stress kills stem cells, which are needed for life.
Every tissue in our body has stem cells in it. Aging is the process of losing stem cells, according to Doris Taylor, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair at the University of Minnesota.
As we age, the number of stem cells decrease and their function decreases. When cancer patients get bone marrow transplants, they're not getting just new blood, as scientists used to think, they're getting stem cells, which are regenerative.
Taylor talks to Krista Tippett of Speaking of Faith about cutting-edge research on stem cells and their awesomeness, how they can save people's lives, even reverse aging.
And no, stem cells don't come from aborted fetuses. They come from donated fertilized (usually called embryonic) eggs that were going to be thrown away.
Stem cells have gotten a bad rap and research has been slowed, thanks to conservatives.
Taylor addresses the religious, moral and ethical concerns of stem cell research.
Obama's March stem cell research speech marked the return of science to the White House.

Holding a pigs heart:

SoundSeen: Surprising Beauty, Holding A Pig's Heart from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.

Obama Stem Cell Speech Marks Return of Science and Reason

Transcript. Read Obama's executive order here.

Fertilized eggs are people, Snowflake people, so say some. The debate:

Nancy Reagan is pleased:

FORMER FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN: “I'm very grateful that President Obama has lifted the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward. I urge researchers to make use of the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers. Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases -- and soon. As I've said before, time is short, and life is precious.

John Boehner is angry. Surprise!

HOUSE MIN. LEADER JOHN BOEHNER (says the “decision runs counter to his promise to ‘be a president for all Americans"): "This decision runs counter to President Obama's promise to be a president for all Americans. For a third time in his young presidency, the President has rolled back important protections for innocent life, further dividing our nation at a time when we need greater unity to tackle the challenges before us.
Read other reactions.

Eight reasons to applaud Obama's decision.