Stem Cell Research

1
Stem Cell Research

• Legal, Ethical and Policy Questions

2
Stem Cell Research

• Recent Developments
• http//www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20
  031210.wsperm1210/BNStory/International/

3
What is a Stem Cell?

• The original cells from which all other cells are
  derived
• Pluripotent stem cells
• Plenipotent stem cells

4
How are Stem Cells Derived?
5
How are Stem Cells Derived?

• http//www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/illust
  ration.html

6
How are Stem Cells Derived?

• http//www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/es_gpt
  .html

7
How are Stem Cells Derived?

• Embryonic Stem Cells
• Embryos at very early stages
• Fetal stem cells
• Aborted fetuses (spontaneously or by intention)
• Placenta
• Umbilical cord blood
• Adult stem cells

8
What Does the Law Say?

• Clinton Administration
• Moratorium on embryonic stem cell research
• Bush Administration
• Compromise in Fall of 2002
• Use of stem cell lines

9
What Does the Law Say?

• Permissible
• Adult stem cells
• Placenta
• Umbilical cord blood
• Aborted fetuses
• Not aborted for the sole purpose of obtaining
  stem cells

10
What Does the Law Say?

• Not Permissible
• Embryonic stem cells
• Embryos created for research
• Compromise
• Current stem cell lines
• Approximately 70
• Dozen laboratories worldwide

11
The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

• Are these scientifically necessary?
• Yes
• Potential for treatments of many types of
  diseases (e.g., early indications in Parkinsons)
• Cannot stop scientific progress
• Embryos at this stage are potential humans but
  not human
• There are numerous embryos available in IVF
  clinics that could be donated

12
The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

• Are these scientifically necessary?
• No
• Difficulties with getting these cells to
  express and differentiate into various types
  of cells and tissue
• Problems with viability and condition of frozen
  embryonic stem cells
• Adult stem cells are in plentiful supply

13
The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

• The Case for valuing embryos as human life and
  persons
• Science refers to these as embryos (no longer
  using pre-embryo)
• Biology texts confirm the continuum between
  embryo, fetus, child, adult
• Slippery slope
• Uniqueness of each embryonic life
• Principle of do no harm

14
The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

• The Case for using embryos
• There are numerous embryos available that will
  otherwise be destroyed
• Better to use these for potential good than
  simply discard them
• Embryos are not considered human until
  implantation

15
Adult Stem Cells
16
Repairing and Regenerating Tissue
17
Stem Cells from Organs
18
Conclusions