The creation and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has been an important component of recent stem cell research. Since Fall 2007 there has been rapid progress with regarding iPS cells. But this new form of pluripotent cells is qualitatively and quantitatively different from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). It is critically important to continue ESC research, even if iPS cells prove to be able to develop into tissues suitable for therapy and transplantation. Sources of ESCs are a contentious and critical issue.

Many are opposed to the creation of embryos for research purposes. Embryos are destroyed in the process of obtaining ESCs, and such research is vehemently opposed by those who believe that destruction of embryos is murder. There are many counter-arguments to this claim. For example, human sexual reproduction normally involves the loss of anywhere from 40 to 70% of early-stage embryos. In other words, embryos are destroyed consistently as a natural part of human reproduction. Some embryos fail to implant in the uterus, others implant but fail to thrive, and others may be rejected (i.e., killed) by the mother’s body. Opponents of stem cell research do not also advocate the cessation of human sexual reproduction, so their position on embryo “murder” may have logical inconsistencies.

We live in a pluralistic society and need to respect the morals and ethics of various minority viewpoints. So we may choose not to create embryos for research. Another likely source of embryos is the vast numbers of embryos remaining after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. More than 100,000 IVF procedures are performed annually in the United States. Typically more embryos are created than are implanted in the potential mother’s uterus.

The leftover embryos are frozen for possible later use by the couple, donated for use by another couple, or destroyed. These so-called “spare” embryos could be useful in many aspects of stem cell (SC) research. The validity of an ethical distinction between use of embryos created specifically for research purposes and spare embryos originally created for IVF procedures has been debated for more than a decade.

Many U.S. Senators, including those who oppose abortion, are in favor of using spare embryos for SC research. In 2001 Senators Arlen Specter, Strom Thurmond, Olympia Snowe, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and Orrin Hatch sent a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to “support legislation which would remove the existing ban on the use of Federal funds to derive stem cells from embryos”. The Senators were specifically urging the use of the “many excess embryos created for the purpose of in vitro fertilization” for SC research. [Congressional Record, S9118, September 5, 2001]

New National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines, effective July 7, 2009, approve Federal NIH funding for research using embryos “that were created using in vitro fertilization for reproductive purposes and were no longer needed for this purpose”. [National Institute of Health Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research - http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines.htm, accessed 1-6-10.

President Obama’s administration has enabled ESC research to begin moving forward. In addition to ongoing moral and ethical issues, many scientific issues persist. For example, spare embryos have been frozen for varying periods of time. They may contain genetic defects that made them unsuitable for implantation. Most importantly, tissues derived from spare embryos will not be an immunologically match for the potential recipient. Graft-versus-host reactions are a key consideration. Immunosuppressive drugs would still be necessary for such therapies and transplants. Research on embryos created from host tissues remains a necessity.

If the prescription drug cost is taking a huge bite out of your household budget, don’t do without the important drugs you need. Follow these advices for reducing what you need to pay for your pills:

• Ask the doctor for free samples if he/she prescribes prescription drugs for you or one of your family members.
• Ask the doctor if you can get a generic alternative to the prescribed drug, or whether the doctor can prescribe a more affordable alternative. Many latest drug brands are more expensive than their predecessors, but they aren’t necessarily better.
• Invest on 90-day supplies of your long-term drugs, so you can save on the dispensing fees that many pharmacies usually charge each time they fill the prescription.
• Ask the doctor if you can get higher dose pills and split it in half every time you take it. Even so, your doctor must have the final say, if this is a good alternative for your particular medication and health condition.
• Do some researches before the prescription is filled. You may be amazed at the prices range from drugstore to drugstore in your area.
• Only buy your prescribed drugs from online pharmacies that are members of VIPPS program (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy). You should find the VIPPS seal of approval on the site’s main page.
• Always buy in bulk if you get your drugs from a mail-order pharmacy, especially for medications that you take regularly in long-term.
• See if you are eligible for a drug assistance program. A few programs are income based, however others, like Merck’s, provide prescription drug discounts to people who are uninsured.

Drug discount cards are usually bad deals, because they use so many restrictions. For instance, you can’t use your card to get generic drugs or you can only use it certain pharmacies.

Coenzyme Q10 has many interesting benefits; one most thrilling benefit is its capability of treating or as defense for cancer. However, there is no conclusive practical proof for the cause, but there are many hopeful results.

The use of CoQ10 in cancer treatment started in 1961. Scientists in their research found low levels of coenzyme in the blood of cancers of pancreas, prostate, lung, breast, kidney, colon, neck and head, myeloma and lymphoma. Hence, they discovered this coenzyme Q10.

CoQ10 is found to help in better working of the immune system, so it is considered as a supplementary therapy for the cancer treatment. CoQ10 and the like compound are considered to put off the growth of the cancer cells. It also acts as an antioxidant, which is helpful in preventing the development of cancer.

The scientists have studied the structure of the CoQ10 compound and the way it works in the body at the laboratories. The animal studies indeed have proved that the CoQ10 has benefit in boosting the immune system, effective in treating certain types of cancer and fights several infections. The CoQ10 has also proven to safeguard the hearts of animals who were receiving anticancer medications like doxorubicin that may cause injuries to the heart muscles. Most exciting of all these is the fact that laboratory and animal studies have proven that the CoQ10 may stop the growth of cancer cells.

Lots of researches and studies of using CoQ10 are still going on, and they are returning hopeful results. Five important COQ10 benefits in cancer patients are mentioned below:

• Co enzyme Q10 has the capacity of protecting the cancer patient’s heart from doxorubicin as per the small laboratory studies.

• There was a study conducted on around 32 breast cancer patients, among them six patients showed up that the signs and symptoms of the cancer were diminished. Report of the researchers said that the patients used less painful medicines, but faced no problem in terms of losing weight or any pain in the course of the treatment with coenzyme Q10.

• Two patients had undergone surgery for the cancer then they were taken for the study under high doses of CoQ10 for about 3-4 months. After this treatment with high doses, both patients were noted to be completely cured from the cancer.

• Some breast cancer patients whose disease had spread to other organs were taken for the study. They were given high doses of co enzyme Q10 for about 5 years. The results were found positive again.

• Patients who were receiving radiation therapy or the chemotherapy for the cancer of prostate, rectum, pancreas, colon and lung were also tested with the use of co enzyme Q10. However, the patients were cured of the disease and lived a long life.

Although all the studies show benefits of CoQ10 in the cancer patients, National Cancer Institute (NCI) pressurizes that it is very important to check the drug with health care providers to validate if the drug can be taken along with other medications.