STEM CELL POLICIES

Kevin Austria, Emily Bright, Adam Mills, John Okerson, Erin Peavy

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What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are different from other cell types by three important characteristics.

1. Capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods.

2. Unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division

3. Develop from a generic cell to become cells with special functions and properties.

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Types of Stem Cells Non-embryonic (adult) stem cells

used in bone marrow transplants for decadesActive constantly renew old and worn out tissue Some remain dormant then become active

under special conditions. (i.e.. Liver or heart) Embryonic stem cells

Found in 4-5 day old embryoThese cells raise much moral and ethical debate

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Research with Stem Cells

Began nearly 30 years ago in experimenting with animals

1998-Major breakthrough when scientists discovered a method to derive stem cells from human embryos grown in the laboratoryStarted the moral debate over stem cells.

2006- discovered new way to make cells behave like embryonic stem cells.

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Moral/ Ethical Controversy Embryonic Stem Cells:

Does life begin at fertilization, in the womb, or at birth?

Is a human embryo equivalent to a human child?

Does a human embryo have any rights? Might the destruction of a single embryo be

justified if it provides a cure for a countless number of patients?

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Current Policies

Federal and State governments both play a role

Has not been legislated at the national level

Policies vary along party lines

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National Policies

BushPolicy Statement to the NIHExecutive Order in 2007

ObamaExecutive Order

Legislative Efforts

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State Policies

No federal laws 2010 study on embryonic research

funding Ohio laws and regulations

National Center for Regenerative Medicine

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Federal Governments

Legislative BranchSenate and the House of RepresentativesExample:

○ Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 and 2007

○ Passed in House of Representatives○ Passed in Senate○ Bill Vetoed by President George W. Bush both

years.

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Federal Governments

Legislative Problems Stem Cell research is a highly controversial

subject Bipartisan system causes the senate to be

split by ideologies.Congress cannot get the 2/3 votes needed

to override the president’s veto.

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Federal Governments

Executive BranchPresident

○ Example: Two vetoes by George W. BushExecutive Order by Barack Obama.

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Committee

House Committee on Energy and CommerceAllowed bills to pass committee stageResearch revealed responsibilities of this

committee:○ Telecommunications○ Consumer Protection○ Food and Drug Safety○ Public Health Research○ Environmental Quality○ Affordable Energy○ Interstate and Foreign Commerce

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Departments Etc.

Department of Human Health Services National Institute of Health

President Obama’s EO allowed less limitations on federally funded research of stem cells.

Should have more of an impact on policy formation as research progresses and shows more promise.

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State Governments

States have had the most success in enacting bills and funding for stem cell research.

However, States vary greatly in their stem cell

research regulations Some allow for all types of embryos to

be used for research whereas some do not allow it.

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Non-governmental Actors Against Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

AmericanCatholic.orgDo No Harm: Coalition of Americans for

Research Ethics Support Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research

TacticsLetters, Visits, Testimony, Media

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Ending Restrictions The decision to end many restrictions on

embryonic stem cell research has removed a key barrier to the research and discovery of stem cell uses.

Prior to 2009, stem cell research was funded privately and had many restrictions on which type of cells could be used.

President Obama took a new stance and allowed for research to begin on embryonic stem cells instead of just pluripotent stem cells.

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Potential Solutions The increased amount of allowed research

and federal funding has given rise to multiple experimental breakthroughs.

Stem Cells can now be used to treat a wide range of medical problems such as:Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Heart

diseases, Strokes, Diabetes, Birth Defects, replacing and repairing damaged organs, along with reduced risks of transplantations.

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Effective?

The new policies enacted by President Obama have indeed shown to be medically effective even if they are viewed as being morally subjective by some people

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Recommendations Government involvement in the form of regulations

and funding is essential for protection and technological advancement

State and Federal government currently share control of stem cell research policy and this system should remain in place so that states can advance the interests and values of their populations.

Regulations should remain similar to what they currently are, meaning research on all types of stem cells is allowable though regulated. The only change we propose making is prohibiting the use of aborted embryos

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Alternatives

New discoveries leading to reprogramming skin cells to replace embryonic stem cells

Advanced research in reprogramming cells could essentially end the debate about using stem cells.

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Works Cited "About Us." CAMR. Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.camradvocacy.org/about_us.cfm>.   "CSCRM - Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine." CSCRM. National Center for Regenerative Medicine. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://www.thestemcellcenter.org/>.   Federal Policy . In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011 [cited Thursday, April 19, 2012] Available at

http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/defaultpage   Genetic Science Learning Center. "The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?." Learn.Genetics 23 April 2012 <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/scissues/>   “H.R. 810 (109th): Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005." Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (2006; 109th Congress H.R. 810). Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr810>.   In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011 [cited Friday, April 20, 2012] Available at

http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines   "Key Facts About Prop 71." California Stem Cell Research & Cures Initiative - Home. Sept. 2004. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://digital.library.ucla.edu/websites/2004_996_027/facts.php.htm>.   "Lobbying Tactics." Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest. CLPI. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.clpi.org/nuts-a-bolts/lobbying-tactics>.   Obama, Barack. "Executive Order 13505 -- Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells | The White House." The White House. 9 Mar. 2009. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Removing-Barriers-to-Responsible-Scientific-Research-Involving-Human-Stem-Cells>.   "On Human Embryos and Stem Cell Research." Stemcellresearch.org. Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics, 1 July 1999. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.stemcellresearch.org/statement/index.html>.   Rowley, Janet. "Embryonic Stem Cell Research Does Too Much Good to Be Evil, Says Janet Rowley." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 23 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/03/23/embryonic-stem-cell-research-does-too-much-good-to-be-evil-says-janet-rowley>.   Shannon, Thomas A. "AmericanCatholic.org - Catholic Update©2002- Stem-Cell Research by Thomas A. Shannon." AmericanCatholic.org. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0102.asp>.   "States Now Fund Most Embryonic Stem Cell Research in U.S." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/womens-health/

articles/2010/12/14/states-now-fund-most-embryonic-stem-cell-research-in-us>.   “Stem Cell Basics: Introduction.” In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited April 20, 2012] Available at

<http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1>.   "Stem Cell Research." Embryonic and Fetal Research Laws. National Conference of State Legislatures. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/embryonic-and-fetal-research-laws.aspx>.   "Stem Cell Research." Experiment-Resources.com. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.experiment-resources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html>.   "Stem Cell Transplant." European Myeloma Platform. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.emp-myeloma.eu/Treatments/StemCellTransplant/tabid/68/Default.aspx>.   United States. Government Printing Office. Federal Registrar. 46th ed. Vol. 74. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2009. Government Printing Office. 11 Mar. 2009. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-03-11/pdf/E9-5441.pdf>.   United States. Government Printing Office. Federal Registrar. 120th ed. Vol. 72. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2007. Government Printing Office. 22 June 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2007-06-22/pdf/07-3112.pdf   "U.S. House of Representatives: Committee on Energy and Commerce, Republicans." House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://energycommerce.house.gov/about/about.shtml>.   "What Are Stem Cells?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 01 Feb. 0032. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/stem_cell/>.

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Questions?