STEM CELL RESEARCH

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STEM CELL RESEARCH

• What You Need To Know

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Outline of This Presentation

• Stem cell research
• The nature and promise of stem cell research
• The ethical debate
• Funding and regulation
• How can I become an advocate?

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What Are Stem Cells?

• Stem cells are the raw material from which all of
  the bodys mature, differentiated cells are made.
  Stem cells give rise to brain cells, nerve
  cells, heart cells, pancreatic cells, etc.

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Whats So Special About Stem Cells?

• They have the potential to replace cell tissue
  that has been damaged or destroyed by severe
  illnesses.
• They can replicate themselves over and over for a
  very long time.
• Understanding how stem cells develop into healthy
  and diseased cells will assist the search for
  cures.

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Two Kinds of Stem Cells

• Embryonic (also called pluripotent) stem
  cells are capable of developing into all the cell
  types of the body.
• Adult stem cells are less versatile and more
  difficult to identify, isolate, and purify.

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Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers extract stem cells from a 5-7 days
old blastocyst.
Stem cells can divide in culture to form more of
their own kind, thereby creating a stem cell
line.
The research aims to induce these cells to
generate healthy tissue needed by patients.
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Two Sources of Embryonic Stem Cells

• 1. Excess fertilized eggs from IVF (in-vitro
  fertilization) clinics
• 2. Therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear
  transfer)

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• Tens of thousands of frozen embryos are routinely
  destroyed when couples finish their treatment.
• These surplus embryos can be used to produce
  stem cells.
• Regenerative medical research aims to develop
  these cells into new, healthy tissue to heal
  severe illnesses.

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• Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
• The nucleus of a donated egg is removed and
  replaced with the nucleus of a mature, "somatic
  cell" (a skin cell, for example).
• No sperm is involved in this process, and no
  embryo is created to be implanted in a womans
  womb.
• The resulting stem cells can potentially develop
  into specialized cells that are useful for
  treating severe illnesses.

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The Ethical Debate

• In favor of ESCR
• Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) fulfills the
  ethical obligation to alleviate human suffering.
• Since excess IVF embryos will be discarded
  anyway, isnt it better that they be used in
  valuable research?
• SCNT (Therapeutic Cloning) produces cells in a
  petri dish, not a pregnancy.
• Against ESCR
• In ESCR, stem cells are taken from a human
  blastocyst, which is then destroyed. This
  amounts to murder.
• There is a risk of commercial exploitation of
  the human participants in ESCR.
• Slippery slope argument ESCR will lead to
  reproductive cloning.

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Key Ethical Issues

• The blastocyst used in stem cell research is
  microscopically small and has no nervous system.
  Does it count as a person who has a right to
  life?
• What do various religions say about when
  personhood begins? Does science have a view on
  this?
• In a society where citizens hold diverse
  religious views, how can we democratically make
  humane public policy?

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Funding and Regulation of Stem Cell Research

• Federal
• State
• International
• At all three levels of government, the future of
  stem cell research is insecure. The research is
  strongly supported by scientists and very much
  needed by patients.
• On the other hand those who oppose the research
  are well-funded and determined to legislate it
  out of existence.

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Federal Legislation

• Government funding is prohibited for research
  using cell lines developed after Aug 9, 2001.
• Efforts to regulate the research are currently
  stalemated in Washington.

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State Legislation

• In 2003 there were 71 bills in 29 states
• Legislation supporting therapeutic cloning
  research has been passed in California and New
  Jersey.
• If it passes in November 2004, the California
  Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative will
  provide 3 billion over 10 years.

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International Legislation

• Embryonic Stem cell research is highly
  controversial not only in the United States but
  worldwide.
• In the past two years, many nations have begun to
  tolerate, if not to support, the research.
• In the fall of 2004, the United Nations will
  consider enacting a global ban on both
  therapeutic and reproductive cloning.

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Stem Cell Research Worldwide
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United Nations

• In November 2003, a committee of the General
  Assembly defeated by only one vote a proposal to
  ban therapeutic cloning research. The United
  States delegation strongly supported this
  proposal.
• In September 2004, the General Assembly will
  again consider the proposal to ban the research.

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What can I do?

• BECOME INFORMED! Learn the facts about stem cell
  research and its curative potential.
• Coalition for the Advancement of Medical
  Research
• www.stemcellfunding.org
• Stem Cell Action Network (Education
  Page)www.stemcellaction.org

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Inform Others

• Contact patient and community groups and offer
  to give a presentation like this one. Organize a
  house party to help spread the word.
• Offer to help someone else give this
  presentation.
• Collect email addresses of supporters to be added
  to SCANs mailing list. SCAN will send out news
  bulletins and action alerts about pending
  legislation.

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Inform Others (contd)

• Arrange to meet with your political
  representatives to discuss their support for stem
  cell research.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
• Find other like-minded people and work together.
  Invite friends, colleagues, and caretakers of
  patients to become involved.

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BE SEEN!BE HEARD!BE IMPATIENT!