Morality of Stem Cells

Stem Cells

Definition of stem cells

Stem cells are pluripotent cells that can produce many different kinds of cells. A fertilized egg is omnipotent, i.e. can produce all cells.

Different kinds of stem cells

Embryonic stem cells come from embryos (<6 weeks). Stem cells from blastocysts (2 weeks) are virtually immortal. Fetal stem cells come from fetuses (> 6 weeks) Stem cells are present in some adult tissues, including brain, spinal cord, and bone marrow.

Embryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells

Embryonic cells are pluripotent and virtually immortal. Embryonic stem cells can form tumors called teratomas. Several methods are now available to control growth of embryonic stem cells.

Adult stem cells

Adult stem cells also have the capacity to produce many different cell types, including neurons. A persons own stem cells should be the best source of cells for transplantation Adult stem cells will eventually substitute for embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Adapted from the New York Times 18 December 2001

Fetal Stem Cells

Neurosphere from rat brain

Nestin stain

BRDU stain

The Stem Cell Debate

On August 9, 2001, President George Bush announced that NIH will fund human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research for the first time. The research will be restricted to 72 cell lines derived from surplus fertilized embryos before August 9. Both opponents and supporters of HESC research are unhappy with the ruling. Opponents believe that federal funding of human ESC research will open a Pandoras box leading to baby and organ factories. Supporters believe that the restrictions will hold back crucial research that will benefit millions of people. Researchers have recently found that they can create cloned embryos. Stem cells derived from such embryos have the same genes and are an ideal source of stem cells for transplantation. Congress, however, is considering a bill that would outlaw making of cloned embryonic stem cells.

Importance of Stem Cells

Studies of human embryonic stem cells will lead to major advances in human biology
Embryonic stem cell research will provide critical insights into mechanisms of cell differentiation, growth, and death. Understanding stem cells may provide keys to why people age. Limitations on the study of human embryonic stem cell research will hold back biomedical research.

Human embryonic stem cell therapies can save lives and restore function of people
Human embryonic stem cell can replace damaged or lost cells These include diabetes, degenerative neurological diseases, demyelinative diseases, brain & spinal cord injury. These conditions are the most common and costly causes of disability in the United States.

Opposition to HESC Research

Killing human embryos is unacceptable

Use and study of human embryonic stem cells will require destruction of human embryos. Killing human embryos is unacceptable, no matter how much good such research will bring about. The facts that embryos will die anyway and that many people would benefit from the therapies do not justify killing embryos. The end does not justify the means.

Embryonic stem cell therapies are not necessary

Adult and other sources of stem cells, i.e. umbilical blood or bone marrow stem cells can be used. Many studies suggest that stem cells from these sources are beneficial in animal disease models Embryonic stem cells may form tumors whereas adult stem cells have limited growth potential and are less likely to produce cancers.

Common Misconceptions

Human embryonic stem cell The research will increase research encourages abortions. killing of human embryos.
The proposed NIH research will use frozen fertilized eggs, not aborted fetuses. The fertilized eggs are used with permission of the parents who would otherwise discard them. Availability of human embryonic stem cells should reduce the current need for and use of human fetal tissues to treat Parkinsons disease and other conditions. The proposed NIH research will not create or clone human embryos. Only fertilized eggs that were already been created for the purposes of in vitro fertilization are used. Availability of this source of stem cells should reduce current unrestricted creation and destruction of human embryos for their stem cells.

More Misconceptions

Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that can become adults
Thousands of fertilized eggs are being discarded from fertility and not being used for research or therapy Many fertilized eggs have been stored beyond the time when they are suitable for producing embryos. Many parents do not want their eggs to be adopted by others.

Embryonic stem cells come from embryos with recognizable body parts
Embryonic stem cells come from blastocysts (2 weeks), little round balls of cells with no discernible organs or body parts. The blastocysts are never implanted into a uterus. Embryos form only after the notochord appears at about 2 weeks. Embryos become fetuses at 6 weeks.

Current Situation

Current laws do not regulate embryo production or use by private companies

Many companies produce stem cells from human embryos created for this purpose. Some private organizations are developing stem cells from aborted fetuses. Some companies are even cloning human embryos to develop stem cell lines.

Most human embryonic stem lines belong to private companies.

Companies therefore must develop their own lines if they want to do human stem cell research. A public source of human embryonic stem cells should significantly reduce the number of embryos that are created and destroyed for their stem cells.

Stem Cells vs non-Stem Cells

Stem cell therapies will revolutionize medicine.

The current generation of doctors will be the first to use stem cell transplants to repair and replace tissues. Genetically modified stem cells can deliver molecules. For example, insulinsecreting cells may replace life-time insulin injections. Stem cells are important class of transplantable cells because they are robust and produce many cell types.

Non-stem cells may be better for some purposes

Genetically modified fibroblasts, for example, have already been shown to deliver gene products Mixtures of progenitor cells that produce only one kind of cell may be more easy to control than stem cells. Some specialized cells may have advantages over stem cells. For example, Sertoli cells have anti-immune properties.

Human Cloning

First human clone by placing human nucleus into a cows egg and growing it to 32-cell stage. Nov 1997

Scientific American article reporting the first cloned human embryo showing a fertilized cloned oocyte and cumulus cells. Advanced Cell Technology Nov 24, 2001

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_371000/371378.stm http://www.sciam.com/explorations/2001/112401ezzell/

Religious Positions

Human embryonic stem cells are immoral

The Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches believe that embryos are potential humans. Even if embryos are being destroyed for other reasons, their use is immoral.

Research and use of early embryos is not immoral

The Synod (Protestant) believes that human embryonic research is not immoral if it occurs before implantation Islamic schools do not recognize early embryos as moral persons and have no difficulty with use and study of them.

Life-saving research is a moral obligation

The Jewish faith believes that saving human lives is a moral obligation and a divine mandate as long as care is taken to ensure that the process is fair to all parties involved.

Philosophical Positions

The wisdom of repugnance argument

Dr. Leon Kass applied this phrase to therapeutic cloning, meaning that we know, deep down, that it is immoral to create human embryos to use them.

The sanctity of life argument

Some philosophers have invoked the sanctity of life as an argument against using embryonic stem cells. This reduces the question to our definition of life and a person.

The respect for the embryo argument

Human life demands respect. While it is not disrespectful to use an organ from a dead person, some argue that it is disrespectful to create an embryo and kill it for its stem cells

A Better Compromise

Allow NIH to use stem cells derived from fertilized eggs under a strict guideline of demonstrated need.
This provides sufficient diversity for therapy. It will reduce the embryos use by private companies.

Ban implant of non-fertilized eggs into human uterus

This ban on reproductive cloning is eminently enforceable. It would allow cloning of eggs for infertile women.

Allow therapeutic cloning with a sunset clause

This provides a temporary solution until adult stem cells and other alternatives can be developed It will prevent the flight of stem cell and cloning research overseas

Conclusions

Both sides of the debate share the same goal: minimize creation and destruction of human embryos while accelerating stem cell therapies The current policy of limiting stem cells created before August 9, 2001 will encourage unregulated use of embryos while delaying stem cell therapies Proposed anti-cloning legislation banning therapeutic cloning is not enforceable, delays stem cell therapies, and will drive scientists and companies overseas A better policy would be to allow NIH to use new stem cell lines, ban reproductive cloning, and allow therapeutic cloning with a sunset clause