Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Debate and Controversy

Leigh Kemp

The Science

Derived from embryos

Stems cells are undifferentiated, thus allowing them to be used for cell regeneration in adult patients

Cell culture of preimplantation-stage embryos, which are placed in a nutrient-rich Petri dish and grown

The cells divide and spread over the surface of the Petri dish

The Science

The inner surface is often coated with a “feeder layer” of treated, non-dividing mouse cells

Encourage growth, provide nutrients

Researchers have devised ways to grow stem cells without mouse feeder cells

Decreases risk of virus transfer from the cell of a mouse to human cells

The stem cells are sub-cultured over a period of months, generating millions of new cells

The Science

Scientists control the differentiation of these “pluripotent” (all-purpose) stem cells in more specialized types of cells

Changing of the chemical composition of the “culture medium” in the Petri dish that feeds the cells Altering of the surface of the Petri dish Insertion of certain genes into the cells

Stem cells differentiate into specialized cells, such as those of heart muscle, blood cells, or neurons

Controversy

Ethical issues: When is an embryo or fetus considered a living person? What legal status, if any, does an embryo have?

Medical or scientific issues: Are embryonic stem cells the best stem cells for medical purposes of regeneration and repair or tissue? Are there any medical risks inherent in the use of embryonic stem cells?

The Controversy: Pro

Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated, and thus can be used to restore or regenerate damaged tissue The harvesting of embryos before implantation in is not unethical – the embryos are not viable Embryos cannot feel pain

Harvesting of stem cells from embryos is not murder or unethical

Reprogramming of adult stem cells is inefficient, holds some risk of tumors due to DNA disruption Provides hope for the treatment of or greater understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, cancer, heart disease, genetic defects, and spinal cord injury

The Controversy: Neg

Embryonic stem cells have not been adequately researched, and the dangers inherent in their medical use are largely unknown The harvesting of embryonic stem cells requires the death of an embryo

This harvesting often requires an induced abortion; constitutes murder Where harvesting does not require induced abortion, such as excess in IVF, harvesting still requires the death of an embryo

Donated embryos are in limited supply

Alternatives

Stem cells derived from the bone marrow of adults can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent like embryonic stem cells

Donation of adult stem cells between blood relatives

Stem cells derived from amniotic fluid during amniocentesis

Moving Forward

Should the Federal Government fund embryonic stem cell research?

Are adult stem cells or embryonic stem cells more feasible for therapy and research purposes?

Can embryonic stem cells be harvested in a humane and ethical manner?

What legal rights does an embryo have?

Works Cited

Bethesda, MD. "Stem Cell Basics: What Are Embryonic Stem Cells?" Stem Cell Information. The National Institutes of Health, 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp>.

Imperial College London. "Amniotic fluid yields alternatives to embryonic stem cells.“ ScienceDaily, 2 Jul. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.

Rugnetta, Michael, and Michael Peroski. "A Life Sciences Crucible." American Progress. Center for American Progress, 16 Jan. 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/technology/report/2009/01/16/5466/a-life-sciences-crucible/>.

Rugnetta, Michael, and Michael Peroski. "A Life Sciences Crucible." Center for American Progress. Center for American Progress, 16 Jan. 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/technology/report/2009/01/16/5466/a-life-sciences-crucible/>.

"Timeline: A Brief History of Stem Cell Research." Science Progress. Timeline: A Brief History of Stem Cell Research, 16 Jan. 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://scienceprogress.org/2009/01/timeline-a-brief-history-of-stem-cell-research/>.