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Bioethics: A Look at Stem Cell Research
Research in the development of stem cells has become increasingly popular over the past
decade. The fascination in the study of stem cells by scientists comes from the mystery of what
the essential properties are and how cells differ. With the discovery of determining how stem
cells are self renewing and identifying what causes stem cells to become specialized leads to the
ability to create more cell-based remedies as well as preventing birth defects, more precise
screening for new drugs and cloning of organs and tissues. Stem cells are unspecialized cells
that renew themselves for long periods through cell division. They can also become specialized
functional cells such as beating cells for heart muscles and insulin-producing cells for the
pancreas or nerve cells. However, this development is controversial being that there are benefits
and downfall in which humans are being to an extent “genetically engineered.” Although there
are pros and cons of using stem cells, the numerous beneficial possibilities indicate that we
should perform the experiments to better our society under extensive scrutiny by the government
and public.
Embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells are the two primary types that scientists work
with. Stem cells are unique because they are unspecialized to any tissue-specific structures but
can develop specialized cells and in culture develop indefinitely. They replicate themselves over
and over again causing large growths of cells over a period of time called proliferation, yielding
many other unspecialized stem cells. However if the parent stem cells give rise to specialized
stem cells the process is called differentiation. Scientist are only at the tip of the ice berg in
discovering what controls specialized and unspecialized cells. As far as scientists know the
internal signals are controlled by cells genes while the external signals that create specialized
stem cells are caused by physical contact with neighboring cells that emit chemicals to the other
nearby cells.
The embryonic stem cells derive from the embryo and come from eggs that have been
fertilized in vitro. The embryonic stem cells come from the fertilized embryo after it is less than
a week old. Growing the stem-cells in the laboratory is called cell culture. The cell culture that
scientists work with is the first step in testing the cells with many types of chemicals which
would create a much speedier form of testing new forms of drugs for medical purposes. The
embryonic stem cells also offer a lot of insight into the research of the early stages of human
development which could potentially lead to the study and discovery of possibly preventing
abnormal human development, birth defects, and infertility. Embryonic stem cells will help to
grow human tissue of all kinds that will open new doors for possible medical tissue transplants
for diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and helping to replace defective cells with healthy
ones.
The second form of stem cell known as adult stem cells or somatic stem cells are the
undifferentiated cells in tissues and organs that can renew, repair and maintain the tissue. These
are the stem cells that could be used to create new organs and therapies for many diseases. Some
of the tests on stem cells are growing new cell cultures and transplanting cells from living
organisms to other living organisms. Unlike embryonic stem cells their lifespan in culture is
much shorter. Adult stem cells are already specialized therefore have a much more limited
ability in what tissues they can reproduce.
There is a lot of controversy arising over the research and ethics of stem cell research.
There is no easy answer to how far studies should go and to what will occur if advancements are
made in the field of experimentation on stem cells. There are people who believe stem cell
research would be extremely helpful in curing diseases and used to create new organs, tissues
and possible curing many genetic diseases however others believe that the secondary effects will
have a harsh impact on society. There is no white picket fence between these two positions
which is the reason the US is currently in a freeze as to how far scientist should be allowed to go
and which cell lines they may cross.
The use of stem cell research has caused a huge discrepancy in the government to
determine whether or not the use of federal funding for stem cell research is ethical. Over four
positions on the subject have arisen over the past couple of years. The National Bioethics
Advisory Commission (NBAC) has discussed all of the possible ethical and medical
considerations including the concerns over the controversial issue which is the source of the stem
cells. Stem cells can come either from cadaveric fetal tissue, embryos remaining after in vitro
fertilization or can be created by somatic cell nuclear transfer. The NBAC has concluded that
federal government funds used for research deriving from the use of stem cells from embryos
taken from fertility treatment or leftover embryos is ethical. The growing questions and
significant impact that stem cell research and experiments on society has created a new council,
the Presidents Council on Bioethics (PCB). The PCB is in charge of informing the public on the
issues of stem cell research however in the public’s eye has been continuing to fail on educating
society about the broad scope of human cloning and how important it is to look at the big picture
of human cloning as well as the primary and secondary impacts it will have on society.
Currently President Bush has allowed federal funding for 60 existing embryo stem cell lines.
Presently scientists are becoming extremely anxious in progressing with research on stem
cells. Unfortunately the debate over the ethics of stem cell research has become entangled in the
debate over abortion which is an issue still unresolved. Many of the embryos that scientists are
using are going to be destroyed anyway therefore supporters don’t feel they are destroying
human life instead helping research cures for debilitating diseases. However pro-life supporters
feel that there should be no federal funding used for destroying embryos. At a conference at the
University of Georgetown eleven scholars from diverse religious backgrounds gathered to discus
the topic of researching un-implanted human embryos. The affects of stem cell research may
also come into conflict with some religious organizations. However at the conference many of
their reactions although similar on abortion rights varied about the morality of stem cell research.
Scholars from Roman Catholicism moral theologians endorsed the idea as well as Jewish
theologians who agreed that there was no law against it in the Jewish law. The Protestants, who
represent the most abundant group of Americans, accepted the idea as did some Muslim thinkers.
There was no consensus from the conference that the stem cell research would interfere with
religious traditions.
There are many consequences if stem cell research develops further and answers all of
the questions of genetic diseases. Over population could eventually begin to occur with the
ability replace your organs and tissues as they malfunction. People would be healthier therefore
living longer lives. There could also be a big step in the difference between the medical
treatments of the wealthy vs. the middle/lower class that would not be able to afford stem cell
technology. Another issue would be stem-cell research being put into the wrong hands and the
possible formation of human clones and babies. We would begin to live in a world completely
genetically engineered causing a depletion in the diversity of the world. Although there are a
few huge issues if properly monitored and guidelines set to ensure the ethics of the usage of stem
cell technology the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Stem cell research holds a promising future for improving human diseases and disorders.
If put into the wrong hands stem cell technology could be very detrimental to society however
with the help of governmental controls and laws I do not believe there would be many problems.
Although the PCB and NBAC have not been able to come up with a clear line of where to begin
and end stem cell research and experiments they are improving their communication skills with
the public about the ethical issues that will arise from stem cell research and are working on the
awareness of the issue and sovereignty of the consequences.
Background Information
Childress, James F. "Human stem cell research: some controversies in bioethics and public
policy." Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases 32: 100-105.
"Stem
Cell
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<http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp>.
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Feb
2004.