Introduction
Are conservatives more concerned about a tiny clump of cells than the suffering of their fellow human beings? Is embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) really the cure-all for countless diseases? If you haven't kept up with the science involved in ESCR, this paper will jump-start your knowledge of the issues.
Embryonic stem cell research is a hot topic that seems to pit anti-abortion conservatives against pro-abortion liberals. The conservatives claim that there are better alternatives to embryonic stem cells, while the liberals claim that conservatives are blocking research that will provide cures to many tragic diseases. Much of the rhetoric is designed to muddy the waters to invoke emotional responses of those within each camp. This paper is designed to break through sound-bites and go the heart of the matter - what are the scientific issues that impact the question of stem cell research.
Much of what is promoted as being news is actually an oversimplification of the issues. Many news articles about stem cell research never distinguish between the kind of stem cell research that is being promoted. For example, the media often reports of breakthrough treatment for patients without mentioning that, in all cases, the source of stem cells is adult tissues. We know this to be true, because embryonic stem cells have never been used in human patients, and won't likely be used in the near future (see reasons, below).
Stem cells are classified as being pluripotent or multipotent. Stem cells that are pluripotent are capable of forming virtually all of the possible tissue types found in human beings. These stem cells can only be found in a certain stage (a blastocyst) in human embryos. Multipotent stem cells are partially differentiated, so that they can form a limited number of tissue types. Multipotent stem cells can be found in the fetus, in umbilical cord blood, and numerous adult tissues. A summary of this information can be found in the Table 1.
A list of the sources of stem cells, along with their advantages and disadvantages can be found in Table 2.
Although the controversy of stem cell research is only recent, research first began in the 1960's. The primary source of early human stem cells was adult bone marrow, the tissue that makes red and white blood cells. Since scientists realized that bone marrow was a good source of stem cells, early transplants were initiated in the early 1970's to treat diseases that involved the immune system (genetic immunodeficiencies and cancers of the immune system). Bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy has been extremely successful, with dozens of diseases being treated and cured through the use of these adult stem cells. However, because the donor tissue type must be closely matched to the patient, finding a compatible donor can be problematic. If you haven't already done so, you should become part of the Bone Marrow Registry.
With the advent of animal cloning, scientists had thought that patient-specific human cloning might provide cures without the tissue incompatibility problems usually associated with transplants. Specific stem cells, developed using clones genetically identical to the patient, would integrate optimally into the patient's body. Although ideal in theory, problems associated with human cloning have been quite formidable. After many years of trying to produce human clones, a South Korean group claimed to have done so in 2004,2 followed by a claim that they had produced patient-specific clones. However, subsequent questions revealed that all the research was fraudulent. Contrary to the original claims, the researchers failed to produce even one clone after over 2,000 attempts. Although a number of labs are working on producing human clones, none have succeeded - even after several years of additional attempts. At a cost of $1,000-$2,000 just to produce each human egg,3 therapeutic cloning would easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, for each patient. Therefore, these kinds of therapies would only be available to the wealthy, assuming the technical difficulties will eventually be eliminated.
Three separate groups of researchers showed recently that normal skin cells can be reprogrammed to an embryonic state in mice.4 The fact that these iPS cells were pluripotent was proved by producing fetuses derived entirely from these transformed skin cells. Just five months after the mouse study was published, the feat was repeated by two separate laboratories using human skin cells.5 The ability to produce embryonic stem cell-like lines from individual patients removes the possibility of tissues rejection and avoids the high costs and moral problems associated with cloned embryos. Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, one of the study leaders later commented, "When I saw the embryo, I suddenly realized there was such a small difference between it and my daughters... I thought, we cant keep destroying embryos for our research. There must be another way." The moral problem of destroying a human embryo encouraged Dr. Yamanaka to pursue a more ethical way to generate human stem cell lines. See the full report.
Stem cells have been promoted as a cure for numerous diseases in the popular press, although the reality of the science suggests otherwise. For example, claims that stem cells might cure Alzheimers disease are certainly untrue. According to Michael Shelanski, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (Columbia University Medical Center), I think the chance of doing repairs to Alzheimer's brains by putting in stem cells is small. Ronald D.G. McKay, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says, To start with, people need a fairy tale.6 Stem cell research is widely promoted as a possible cure for type I and type II diabetes. However, these diseases involve the destruction of islet pancreatic cells by the patient's immune system. Even if tissue-compatible islet cells can be produced, transplanting them into a patient will be a very temporary cure, since the patient's immune system will attack the transplant in short order. So, a total cure for diabetes might have to involve a total immune compartment replacement (with its risks), in addition to an islet cell transplant. Parkinsons disease is another disease that is often mentioned as potentially curable through stem cell research. Proponents of ESCR cite studies in which embryonic stem cells produce dopamine in the brain of rats. However, only 50% of the rats had improvement of function and 25% developed brain tumors and died!7 A main problem for ESCR is that these stem cells spontaneously form tumors in virtually all studies that have been conducted to date. In addition, it seems that the number of dopamine-producing neurons declined over time, suggesting that the cure might be just temporary.8
According to many stem cell researchers, embryonic stem cells are the preferred stem cells for cell-based therapies. Although they tend be be more versatile than adult stem cells, other sources (including umbilical cord stem cells) have proven to be just as versatile.1 The same properties that make embryonic stem cells so versatile are also the properties that make them unusable for therapy. Unless completely differentiated prior to use in patients, these cells will migrate throughout the body to produce tumors. Experiments performed in mice and rats have shown that spontaneous tumor formation is a persistent problem.7-9 Maintaining and growing embryonic stem cell lines has also been problematic. Some of these lines have mutated, making them unusable in patients.10 The main problem with embryonic stem cell research is the problem is tissue incompatibility.11 Millions of lines must be established in order to serve a significant percentage of potential patients. The use of autologous adult stem cells (cells from the patient) eliminates the problems with tumorogenesis, mutation, and tissue incompatibility. However, since such individualized therapies could not be patented, the pharmaceutical companies have no financial incentives to pursue such therapies. In contrast, embryonic stem cell lines could be patented. Since millions of lines would be required to serve all the different tissue types of patients, pharmaceutical companies could charge a fortune for each patented line they produced. Scientists and research facilities that produced such lines would also reap large financial benefits. The highly favorable financial aspect of embryonic stem cell research is one of the main driving forces behind the push to fund this research.
The problems involved with embryonic stem cell therapies are so formidable that renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Black remarked in 2004 (during California's Proposition 71 stem cell campaign) that his lab would pursue only adult stem cell research. In fact, his group (the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai) recently announced that they had converted adult stem cells into neural stem cells.12
Human embryonic stem cell research has been promoted as being the best way to pursue cell-based therapies for a number of diseases. Although embryonic stem cells are the most versatile type of stem cells, they are unacceptable for therapy because they spontaneously form tumors when transplanted into a compatible host. Embryonic stem cells also suffer from the usual tissue compatibility problems associated with donor transplants. The proposed solution to tissue compatibility problems, therapeutic cloning, is technically challenging (i.e., it hasn't been accomplished yet) and fiscally prohibitive (costs on the order of hundreds of thousands of dollars per patient). In contrast to embryonic stem cell technologies, adult stem cells have been used to treat dozens of diseases, with the list growing every year. Pursuing this technology would eliminate the tissue rejection problems associated with embryonic stem cells, and the high cost associated with therapeutic cloning. A new technique involving reprogramming of adult skin cells (iPS) has proved feasible, producing pluripotent ESC-like stem cells, potentially from individual patients. However, because individualized adult stem cell therapies cannot be patented, this research does not appeal to biotech companies and scientists and research centers seeking royalty payments for patents. With the announcement that embryonic stem cell-like lines can be produced by reprogramming adult human skin cells, the potential usefulness of embryonic stem cell research has been lost for many stem cell researchers, as they are now pursuing the new technology, which will be cheaper and provide fewer problems for use in patient-directed therapies.
http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/stem_cell_research.html Last Modified March 31, 2009
See the original post here:
What is Wrong With Embryonic Stem Cell Research?
- Politics of Stem Cell Research - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Obama Ends Funding Ban for Stem Cell Research - May 8th, 2011 [May 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: A Father's Fight - May 10th, 2011 [May 10th, 2011]
- Human Embryonic stem cell research - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Frost Over The World - Stem Cell Research and Turkey -26 Oct - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- McCain Favors Embryonic Stem Cell Research - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- US divided over stem cell research reversal - 09 Mar 09 - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- The Politics and Promise of Stem Cell Research - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- Inside Story - Obama to end stem cell research ban - March 9 - Part1 - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Cardiovascular Therapies: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Douglas Boyd - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- The Human Embryo and Embryonic Stem Cell Biology: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- US appeals court lifts stem cell research ban - June 7th, 2011 [June 7th, 2011]
- Trailer for Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- Politics: President Obama on Stem Cell Research - June 10th, 2011 [June 10th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research Documentary - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- TEDxSingapore - Susan Lim - Hype and hope of stem cell research - June 13th, 2011 [June 13th, 2011]
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Wrapup - June 14th, 2011 [June 14th, 2011]
- The Next Frontier in Stem Cell Research - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Robert Klein: Stem Cell Research - June 22nd, 2011 [June 22nd, 2011]
- Fibrocell Stem-Cell Wrinkle Smoother Wins FDA Clearance - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- The Politics of Stem Cell Research - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- A Dose of Reality on Alternative Stem Cell Treatments: What you don't know can hurt you - June 28th, 2011 [June 28th, 2011]
- Governor Tim Pawlenty Discusses Stem Cell Research - June 30th, 2011 [June 30th, 2011]
- The EU and stem cell research - July 5th, 2011 [July 5th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Jeff Bronstein - July 6th, 2011 [July 6th, 2011]
- Cardiovascular Therapies: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Yung-Wei Chi - July 7th, 2011 [July 7th, 2011]
- Spotlight on Cancer Stem Cell Research - July 11th, 2011 [July 11th, 2011]
- A Stem Cell Story - July 12th, 2011 [July 12th, 2011]
- Bishop Blair bars support for Komen breast cancer group - July 13th, 2011 [July 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research In Toronto - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Arthritis: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Introduction - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Huntington's Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research 2007 - Han Keirstead - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- TMconfUK2011-08 - Stem Cell Research in the UK - Prof Charles Ffrench-Constant - July 16th, 2011 [July 16th, 2011]
- UCSF opens stem cell research building - July 16th, 2011 [July 16th, 2011]
- HIV/AIDS: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - John Zaia - July 17th, 2011 [July 17th, 2011]
- Deafness: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Ebenezer Yamoah - July 22nd, 2011 [July 22nd, 2011]
- Spotlight on Basic Stem Cell Research - Irv Weissman - July 25th, 2011 [July 25th, 2011]
- Diabetes: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Peter Butler - July 27th, 2011 [July 27th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Arnold Kriegstein - July 27th, 2011 [July 27th, 2011]
- HIV/AIDS: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Loren Leeds - July 27th, 2011 [July 27th, 2011]
- Alzheimer's Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Leeza Gibbons - August 2nd, 2011 [August 2nd, 2011]
- Geron's Embryonic Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Spinal Cord Injury - August 3rd, 2011 [August 3rd, 2011]
- The Skin Gun stem cell research - August 10th, 2011 [August 10th, 2011]
- Deafness: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Karen Doyle - August 10th, 2011 [August 10th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: Huntington's Disease - August 14th, 2011 [August 14th, 2011]
- Adult and Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research Conference at Notre Dame - August 20th, 2011 [August 20th, 2011]
- Stemcell Research and Aging - Panel 1 - August 22nd, 2011 [August 22nd, 2011]
- Texans for Stem Cell Research Learn for Life: KXAN Coverage Aired August 16th, 2011 - August 24th, 2011 [August 24th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: Macular Degeneration - September 18th, 2011 [September 18th, 2011]
- Brilliant Minds - Stem Cell Research | Tomorrow Today - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Ethics of Stem Cell Research (1) - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- Legal and Public Policy Dimensions of Stem Cell Research - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- Stem cell symposium - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- StemCONN 2011, The Latest in Stem Cell Research - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Arthritis: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Mark Genovese - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- Judy Roberson: Patient advocates drive stem cell scientists - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Sam Harris - Stem Cells and Morality - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research, Ethics and Religion - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: Fulfilling the Promise - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- The Skin Gun (Stem Cell research to replace burnt off skin. Done in 3 days!) - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Alzheimer's Stem Cell Research Patient Advocate Spotlight: The Faces of Neurodegenerative Disease - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Life in the Balance: Perspectives on Stem Cell Research - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research Funding Halt - Video - October 19th, 2011 [October 19th, 2011]
- Vatican lending hand in adult stem cell research - Video - October 20th, 2011 [October 20th, 2011]
- First Spinal-Cord Surgery With Stem Cells - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Michael J. Fox Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- stem cell research - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Gayle Atteberry - Cloning - November 5th, 2011 [November 5th, 2011]
- It Takes Nerve: UC Irvine - Sue - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Video - November 9th, 2011 [November 9th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Research Far Ahead of Embryonic - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Is stem cell research a growing concern .flv - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Forbes Discusses Stem Cell Research - Video - November 14th, 2011 [November 14th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research Presentation - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Benedict XVI: No embryonic stem cell research - Video - November 28th, 2011 [November 28th, 2011]
- Batten Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - A Father's Story - Video - November 30th, 2011 [November 30th, 2011]
- CIS 111 Digital Media Project - Stem Cell Research - Video - December 13th, 2011 [December 13th, 2011]
- Regenerative Medicine and Applications of Stem Cell Research - Video - December 20th, 2011 [December 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research Today: Larry Goldstein - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video - December 22nd, 2011 [December 22nd, 2011]
- CIRM Bridges Award: Building California's Stem Cell Research Workforce - Video - December 22nd, 2011 [December 22nd, 2011]