Dissecting the Stem Cell Controversy

 

Researchers announced that they had found a rich supply of stem cells in the amniotic fluid which surrounds an embryo.

 

This announcement comes on the heels of months of debate over the use of stem cells for research, and it may signal a complete shift in the argument against using these cells in the lab. Amniotic cells seem to hold the same promise as cells taken from a human embryo, say the researchers. Moreover, these cells can be harvested without putting either the mother or fetus at risk.

 

It remains to be seen if amniotic stem cells hold the same promise as embryonic stem cells. While, in theory, embryonic stem cells can be directed to grow into any type of cell, many more tests need to be done to find out if amniotic stem cells have the same potential.

 

“Our hope is that these cells will provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and for engineered organs as well,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, senior researcher and director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

 

So, until this work can be done, the controversy over embryonic stem cells will likely continue. Here’s a quick guide to all of the issues involved:

 

The Beginnings of Life


Stem cells are essentially building blocks for the body; they have the potential to develop into every type of cell, tissue or organ. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in a developing embryo, and adult stem cells, which are found in particular organs of adults. The hope of stem cell research is that there may be a way of implanting these specialized cells so that they can replace other cells impacted by disease.

 

What diseases can they help?


While researchers are no where near using stem cells to treat diseases in humans, supporters say that stem cell technology can help a range of health problems from Parkinson’s disease to heart disease and even paralyzation.

 

Recently, stem cells were successfully activated in the brains of mice, showing potential for use in Parkinson’s patients. Additionally, once-paralyzed rats have shown movement in their limbs after their spine was implanted with embryonic stem cells. These findings, and the many like them, seem to show the unique power these cells hold.

 

Why are stem cells controversial?


The controversy over stem cell research focuses mostly on how they are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are removed from a developing embryo only a few days after fertilization. Ideally, scientists could create an embryo from scratch by combining an egg and sperm from willing donors, but this method is considered inefficient and wasteful, as there are a large number of embryos that are discarded everyday at fertility clinics. Still, the National Institute of Health banned creating embryos for stem cell research.

 

Couples who are trying to have a baby through in-vitro fertilization often have more embryos created than are implanted. These unused embryos are sometimes donated to science, giving researchers a free source of stem cells.

 

Picking Sides


Once the stem cells are harvested, the embryo dies. Much like abortion, some equate this to murder. But the debate doesn’t always fall along pro-life lines. "I am pro-life. I believe that human life begins at conception," said Frist in his speech to the Senate. "I also believe that stem cell research should be encouraged and supported."

 

Some stem cell supporters feel that since these embryos would otherwise be destroyed, scientists are simply making use of them to prolong other’s lives.

 

"We cannot save them by killing others or letting others die," said Dr. Gene Outka, professor of philosophy at Yale University in a statement to the President’s Council on Bioethics in 2002, "Yet, we may save others by virtue of the research."

 

Is it better to clone cells?


Therapeutic cloning involves taking a cell from a patient and merging it with a donated egg. The egg would then be stimulated to divide, allowing the stem cells to be harvested.

 

The advantage of this technique is that the patient’s DNA is contained in these cells, which would make it much more likely that the body accepts them once they are implanted.

Technically, therapeutic cloning is creating life—or at least creating cells that have the potential to become life, depending on your definition, raising many more concerns about developing cloning technology along with stem cell research.

 

What about adult stem cells?


The use of adult stem cells would seemingly make everyone happy. Since these cells can be harvested from living people instead of an embryo, they may appease those who think destroying embryos is unethical. And since the cells could potentially come from the patient, they would be a genetic match. Some types of adult stem cells, like bone marrow, have already become routine medical treatments.

 

The problem, however, is that adult stem cells are hard to find within tissue. Even those who have extracted these cells have not had much luck growing them in the lab. Additionally, adult stem cells may not be as able to develop into the wide range of cell types that embryonic cells can become.

 

Does stem cell research need federal funding?


Some argue that if stem cell research is allowed, the federal government should fund it to increase the number of scientists that could work on it, possibly speeding research. Those opposed to the research are split into two camps. Those that don’t want their tax dollars spent on the technology and those that feel federal funding is important simply so the government can keep an eye on what’s going on in the lab.

 

The ultimate decision rests in the hands of the policymakers sitting the Senate. As the leader of the Senate, Frist supports expanding federal funding to research only on those embryos that would otherwise be discarded.

 

 

"It isn’t just a matter of faith, it’s a matter of science," said Frist.

©2007 Healthology, Inc.