UCLA researchers published their results in February issue of the Bentham Open Stem Cell Journal which outlines the long term results of the trial.

"We have documented the first successful adult neural stem cell transplantation to reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long term safety and therapeutic effects of this approach," says lead author Dr. Michel Levesque.

The paper describes how Levesque's team was able to isolate patient-derived neural stem cells, multiply them in vitro and ultimately differentiate them to produce mature neurons before they are reintroduced into the brain.

The team was able to inject the adult stem cells without the need for immunosuppressants. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cell injections don't cause a patient's immune system to reject the cells.

The adult stem cells were highly beneficial for the patient involved in the study.

"Of particular note are the striking results this study yielded -- for the five years following the procedure the patient's motor scales improved by over 80% for at least 36 months," Levesque wrote.

There are somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 successful treatments developed from adult stem cell research so far.

Yet some in South Dakota value research grant dollars more than human life, and want to repeal South Dakota's embryonic stem cell research ban. They have brought forward SB 195 to do that.

Unlike embryonic stem cell research which destroys a human embryo, adult stem cells are taken from tissue (such as dental, nasal or other) and use to stimulate healing. Embryonic stem cells also have problems with tissue rejection (just as any organ transplant recipient deals with), and the growth of tumors due to the treatment.

And not a single successful treatment has been developed from embryonic stem cell research.

Meanwhile, adult stem cell therapy has resulted in successful treatments for brain injury, stroke, retina regeneration, heart tissue regeneration, angina, diabetes, bone cancer, nerve regeneration, cerebral palsy, cartilage regeneration, Parkinsons, kidney damage, liver cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and more.

There is simply no reason to sacrifice our humanity--by destroying innocent human life--when there is another similar field of research which does not destroy human life, and is so much more fruitful.