Human Embryo Research

James G. Anderson, Ph. D

Purdue University.

Treatment of Embryos

Genetic Screening Research

Technology

Amniocentesis (after 15 weeks of gestation) Chorionic villus sampling (1st trimester) Pre-implantation genetic screening (before

clinical pregnancy)

Issues: Costs

Eight million carriers of cystic fibrosis 30,000 babies born with cystic fibrosis Annual costs of care range from $8,500-

46,000 Embryonic screening cost $6,000-13,000 The cost is not covered by health insurance in

the U.S. The cost is covered in the U.K.

Options

Elect not to have children Artificial insemination with anonymous donor Prenatal genetic testing with possible

abortion Pre-implantation genetic screening

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing

in vitro fertilization (IVF) Allow fertilized cells to divide until 8 cells – 3

days Remove single cell for diagnosis within 15

hours Decide whether or not to implant

What should we test for?

Genetic disorders700 inherited conditions

344 test clinically available211 prenatal tests

offered Traits Gender

Inherited Genetic Disorders

Tay-Sachs disease Sickle-cell anemia Cystic fibrosis Hemophilia Huntington’s Disease Down’s Syndrome

Arguments in favor of testing

Permits couples with genetic predispositions for disease to conceive a child without passing on the disorder

Reduces abortions Couples have a right to the information

Arguments against testing

May lead to designer babies Results in destruction of embryos Discriminates against embryos with

disabilities Potential misuse of genetic information Potential stigma and discrimination against

carriers

Ethical Issues

Life of the embryo Eugenics Use of genetic information (e.g, employers,

insurance companies Lack of regulation of fertility clinics Disposal of unused embryos

Research

Improvements in pregnancy Fertilization Egg activation, maturation and freezing Embryonic screening Harvesting embryonic stem cells Cloning Cross-species fertilization

Stem cell research

Derived from 4-day old embryos Stem calls can be transformed into 220

human cell types (e.g., pancreatic cells, nerve cells, skin cells, cardiac muscle cells

Stem cells may cure

Alzheimer’s disease Parkinson’s disease Huntington’s disease Diabetes Spinal cord injuries Skin tissue for burn victims Damaged arteries and hearts Grow body parts (livers, hearts)

Arguments for research

Potential cures for neurological and other illnesses

New field of research will boost the biotechnology industry

Other countries will continue research and development

Fertility clinics already possess 400,000 unused frozen embryos that will be discarded

Arguments against research

Fertilized egg is a human being and should not be destroyed

Stem cell research is similar to using the results of Nazi medical experiments

Using fertilized eggs for research is a “slippery slope” Commercial exploitation – treat human embryos as

property Production of embryos to harvest stem cells.

Potential Therapeutic Uses

Parkinson’s Disease Huntington’s Disease Diabetes Spinal cord injuries Growth of new tissue/organs from stem cells

Regulations

NIH ban on funds for research on human embryos Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act 1992 25 states have laws regulating disposal of embryos Congress is considering the Human Genome Privacy Act Debate over applicability of the Americans with Disabilities

Act NIH guidelines allow federal funding of research with

embryonic stem cells from existing cell lines 28 states criminalize harm to fetus Unborn Victims of Violence Act (pending)

NIH Human Embryo Research Panel Recommendations Acceptable Research

Methods of improving the chances of pregnancy

Fertilization Egg activation, maturation, and freezing Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis Development of embryonic stem cells

Needs Additional Review

Cloning and use of oocytes without their transfer to the uterus for gestation

Unacceptable Research

Cloning and use of oocytes followed by transfer to the uterus for gestation

Cross-species fertilization

Guidelines for Review/ Conduct of Federally Funded Research

Qualified researcher Valid research design Major scientific clinical benefits Number of embryos should be minimal Informed consent obtained from gamete donors Embryos not be created solely for research No buying and selling of embryos No research on embryos more than 14 days old