English/Writing
www.the-scientist.com/.../ apr_art/diagram2.jpg
Introduction:
To say that there is a variety of information out there about stem cell research is a gross understatement. While doing the research for this project, I was forced to sift through a countless number of resources in order to come up with a basic plan of how I would approach the subject. My goal is to provide you with the most current information possible and to give you a general understanding of what stem cell research is. In order to do this, I’ve decided to approach my presentation as well as this web site from the standpoint of a position paper. First, I will go into the basics and discuss what stem cell research is. From there, I will show the positives; how can stem cell research benefit us? Next, I’ll discuss the controversy and why some people oppose this topic so much. Finally, as the election draws even closer, (Don’t forget to vote!) I’ll discuss the position of each candidate. As I’m sure all of you heard, the recent death of Christopher Reeve has sparked an even greater interest in this topic and I will discuss what this means for the future of stem cell research. Also, what is Proposition 71? Finally, as my original article stated, “Scientists ask UN for stem cell research,” the United States is not the only country dealing with this. Around the world, people and their governments are deciding what position their country will take. If you have any questions or would like to find out more information, please feel free to e-mail me or check out the links at the bottom of the page.
What is stem cell research? Embryonic vs.
Adult Stem Cells:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines stem cell research as being the “advancing knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms.” What we hear about most in the news is the discussion over embryonic stem cells. These are cells that have the ability to become an array of specific cell types. In contrast to this are adult stem cells, those that are usually taken from adults from the tissues of the brain, liver and bone marrow. Because they are taken from an adult, they are not as "fresh" as embryonic stem cells. In an article by Tina Hesman, scientists who study both embryonic and adult cells claim that the "adult cells lack the flexibility of their more primitive counterparts. The road forks early for stem cells, and no one has figured out yet how to bring an adult stem cell back down its predetermined path and make it take the road not traveled,"(8). In essence, the adult stem cell has experienced more things making it less able to rejuvenate itself as well as an embryonic cell that is brand new and has not been subjected to things and adult cell has. Focusing on embryonic stem cells for the moment, let's take a look at this diagram which explains the process of harvesting stem cells. In this diagram taken from MSNBC.com Health, we can get a clearer picture of how the process begins.
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Step 1: An egg is fertilized by a sperm in a lab dish.
Step 2: The fertilized egg begins to divide and develop into an embryo. About five days later, the embryo becomes a blastocyst -- a hollow ball of about 100 cells. The inner cells are the embryonic cells.
Step 3: Stem cells are removed from the blastocyst and cultured in the laboratory where they theoretically can multiply indefinitely.
Step 4: By adding and removing certain proteins, scientists can coax the cells to develop into a new heart, bone, nerve or other cells to treat diseases. This process is known as differentiation, when these early cells develop the features of a specific cell to become heart tissue or a muscle.
Source: Associated Press, MSNBC research.
In most cases, when it comes to a fertilized embryo, they come from a couple's attempt at in-vitro fertilization. After conception occurs, the left over embryos can either be donated to science or thrown away. (16) In my research, I also found some information about cord blood. Cord blood refers to the blood retrieved from the umbilical cord after birth of a child. This blood is a hot bed for stem cells and like embryonic stem cells, provide the newest and freshest specimens. The collection of cord blood is painless and due to the fact that it is harvested after the birth of the child, requires no intrusive procedures. Following the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, a syringe or blood bag is used to collect the stem cells. Again, this procedure does not alter the birthing method in any way because it is done after the child is born. Cord blood is kept in the case of an emergency need for the stem cells. However, it can be stored for between 10-15 years in cryogenic storage. The only reason 15 years is the maximum for storage is because of the lack of information on this topic further back than 15 years (17). It amazed me to see how popular this is. While doing a project for another class, I was looking on a baby names website. One of the advertisements on this site was about cord blood and encouraged people to look into this procedure. Now that we have a basic understanding of embryonic, adult stem cells, and cord blood, let's look at the benefits of stem cell research.
Benefits of stem cell research:
Is it possible that with the use of stem cells, we can cure diabetes? Could we save the lives of those with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s? These are some tall orders, and those who advocate for stem cell research say that the answers to these diseases lie within the science of stem cells. In an article from the National Institutes of Health, "when it comes to embryonic cell research, the extracted cells are used to understand some of the signals that enable the cells to develop into a particular specialized cell. If we could use the knowledge of those signals to direct those stem cells to get in and repair damaged cells, let's say in heart tissue, that can be very important as far as treating [diseases of the heart.]" For example, let's look at diabetes and Parkinson's disease. In this same article, Larry Goldstein, a professor of cellular and molecular medicine at UC San Diego states that "many chronic diseases happen because cells either die or malfunction. For instance, in Type 1 diabetes, cells in the pancreas die. In Parkinson's disease, cells in the brain die. One of the major goals of stem cell research is to learn how to replace missing or damaged cells with new ones..."(16). Supporters of embryonic stem cell research also claim the cells will one day be able to cure spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's, and Lou Gherig's disease to name a few(8). In possibly one of the first applications of stem cell technology, a team working outside the federal restraints placed on stem-cell research, coaxed stem cells taken from human embryos made by a team from Harvard University into forming retinal cells (12). Those at the Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts hope these new cells could treat blindness. Dr. Robert Lanza, the scientific director, gushed "They look like little eyeballs. These things seem to be trying to assemble into primitive eyes." For more information on this article, I encourage you to read the full story at MSNBC.com, "Stem cells show potential for eye repair." There are so many more instances that show the possibilities of stem-cell research. I just wanted to give you a few instances to show just how important this science can be. But with every miracle, there is also a challenge. Next, we will look into the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells.
The Controversy:
The controversy at the center of stem cell research, especially embryonic stem cell research deals with a question we have been debating long before this topic. When does life begin? Does life begin at the second of conception, when the sperm fertilizes the egg? Or is it much later as the fetus continues to develop? Some believe that harvesting the cells that come from human embryos is destroying a potential life. Larry Goldstein weighs into this by explaining that "an embryo harvested in a Petri dish or a freezer can eventually be put into a woman's uterus with the expectation that it will become a baby," (16). Due to this, many religious and conservative groups argue that these embryonic cells should have the same rights as those of a child. Goldstein continues, "However, at the end of the day when I look at a frozen ball of cells that has no heart or other organs, I just don't think of that as a person. But some people do. And that's fair." In conjunction with this, State Senator Deborah Ortiz believes "the average person understands that this moral argument doesn't make much sense and is not the same as arguments against abortion. After a couple has conceived, those embryos don't see the inside of a uterus, rather the only thing they will see is the inside of a drainage." In a discussion from the Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, some religions are divided. The United States Roman Catholic Bishops greatly oppose this research and label it, "immoral, illegal, and unnecessary." They go on to say that life is sacred from the moment of conception. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Southern Baptist Convention concur. Interestingly enough, on the other hand, the Presbyterian Church USA approves research when "the goals are compelling and unreachable by other means." The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism agrees with the Presbyterian Church, (10).
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The Politics; Democrat vs. Republican:
With the election being literally just days away, the topic of stem cell research has been a hot topic for the candidates this year. Three years ago, President Bush decided to allow scientists in the U.S. the privilege of working only with stem cells that had already been harvested up to that point. He decided that the government would not pay for the production of more stem cell lines and it would also not support any more research after August 9, 2001. In an article by Steve Forbes, he states that President Bush believes that creating life for the purpose of destroying it for therapeutic ends is profoundly wrong, (6). However, there is no ban on privately funded efforts. John Kerry however, as stated on his own campaign website, believes that "stem cell research holds immense promise for curing or treating these diseases and medical conditions. He will lift the ideologically-driven restrictions on stem cell research that are impeding progress toward cures for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases." As I'm sure you've all seen by now on the news, the death of Actor and stem-cell research advocate Christopher Reeve has spawned an outpouring of information on the subject. Check out the articles list below for more information on this story. Proposition 71 has been popping up on many searches I've done for this topic. This measure to be placed on California's November 2nd ballot would give $3 billion dollars to embryonic stem cell research. It is being called the biggest state supported research program in the country ever! It would sidestep the restrictions placed on stem cell research by the Bush administration and would completely annihilate (in size, that is) any other stem cell project in the United States. In an article from CNN, "the measure would authorize the state to sell $3 billion dollars in bonds and then dispense nearly $300 million a year for ten years to researchers for human embryonic stem cell experiments..." Governor Schwarzenegger has recently backed Proposition 71.
The World:
The article that spawned this topic, “Scientists urge UN for stem cell research” clearly shows the spread of stem cell research into the rest of the world. As I mentioned in the introduction, countries around the world are deciding what role stem cell research will have on their lives as well. Countries such as Britain and North Korea have already decided what steps will be taken in the future. This map clearly shows the stance of some already.
In South Africa, for instance, they announced that it would set up Africa's first stem cell bank. The article, from September 1, 2004 stated that Lazaron Biotechnologies, a private company, said it will harvest cells from a baby's umbilical cord for research and treatment for a variety of different diseases. Britain opened the world's first stem cell bank in May. It was set up at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control twelve miles north of London. Their hope is that they will be able to store, grow, and characterize cells and then have the ability to distribute them to researchers around the world. The bank will also be able to ensure researchers the opportunity to explore the future of stem cell research in the future.
Articles:
These articles were great, but they just didn't fit into the rest of my webpage. I'd like you to take a look at them and I'm sure they'll briefly surface in my presentation!
Policy Memorandum: Bush Administration First to Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research
First Lady: Stem-cell research ethical balancing act
Remarks of Ron Reagan on the Importance of Stem Cell research
Actor, Family man and champion of stem cell research: Superman Reeve dies
Sources:.
1. Arnold, Johann Christoph. "A Twentieth Century Tower of Babel? The Debate over Embryonic Stem Cell Research." August 2004. www.bruderhof.com/articles/jca/stemcellresearch.htm?source=GoogleAdwords., Accessed 9/8/04
2.."Britain opens world's first stem-cell bank." 19 May 2004. Accessed 11 Oct. 2004. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5013915
3.. "The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative." 8 Sept. 2004. www.yeson71.com
4. "California to vote on $3 billion stem cell project." 13 Sept. 2004. http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/08/26/stem.cell.proposition.ap/index.html
5. "Cord Blood Banking for your Baby is an Important Decision." www.cord-blood.org, Accessed 9/7/04
6. Forbes, Steve. "Celling out the Truth." Forbes. 6 Sept. 2004. Academic Search Premier. Stevenson Library. LHUP.
7. "Harvesting Stem Cells," 11 Oct. 2004. www.msnbc.com
8. Hesman, Tina. "A Volatile Mix: Amid Moral arguments, electoral politics and visions of cures, society must chart a future for stem cell research." St. Louis Dispatch. 22 Aug. 2004. Lexis-Nexis. Stevenson Library. LHUP.
9. Joslin Diabetes Center, "New Research focuses on Developmental and Stem Cell Biology" Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week. Sept. 4 2004. Health Source. Stevenson Library. LHUP.
10. "Perspectives: Religious Views on Stem Cell Research." 27 July 2001. Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. 11 Oct 2004. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week448/perspectives.html
11. "Scientists ask UN for stem cell research." 2 June 2004. AVAILABLE. www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/06/02/science.cloning.un.reut.
12. "Stem cells show potential for eye repair." 24 Sept. 2004. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6089652/
13. Smith, Wesley. "Stem Cell News That Isn't Fit For Print, The mainstream media is ignoring promising news about adult stem cell research." December 3, 2003. The Daily Standard.
14. "South Africa to open Africa's first stem cell bank." 1 Sept. 2004. Accessed 11 Oct. 2004. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5887737
15. "Supporting Stem Cell research to find Cures for Millions Of Americans Suffering from Debilitating Diseases." Accessed 13 Sept. 2004. www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/stemcell.html.
16. Wells, Annette. "State's voters face issue of stem-cell research." 10 July 2004. National Institutes of Health; state Department of Health and Human Services. 13 Sept. 2004. http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/printdoc. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis search.
17. "What is cord-blood?" www.cordbloodfaq.com, Accessed 9/7/04
18. "World Stem Cell Map." Accessed 11 Oct 2004. http://mbbnet.umn.edu/scmap.html.