The Use of Embryonic Cells for Research - Essay Example

Embryonic Stem Cell Research This paper considers the various arguments for and against embryonic stem cell research , its various pros and cons and the future possibilities. In only 4 pages this is only a very short exploration of a very complicated subject. Introduction Using embryonic stem cells for research is a controversial subject. This paper will look at the subject from various points of view. Stem cells are capable , during early life, of developing into a number of different cell types such as muscle, nerve or blood cell. They can also help to make any necessary repairs as they can divide in order to replenish cells which have been damaged in some way. The Stem Cell Information web page explains how stem cells are different from other cells because , even after long periods of inactivity, they are able to renew themsleves by division. Also, under certain conditions, they can be turned into specific tissues. This opens up the possibilities for their use in such condiitons as cancers, diabetes, nerve injuries, Alzheimer’s disease and others. However there is, in both western Europe and the United States of America, considerable debate as to whether this research can be considered ethical. This has been the position of several innovative medical advaces now accepted as acceptible by most people – in vitrio fertilization is one such example. Bleikie, Goggin and Rothmeyer (‘Comparative Biomedical Policy’ page 91, 2003) point out how in America this type of research cannot continue if it is government funded. The reason is that it is so connected with research using embryos. However the Nuffield Council on Bioethics ahs concluded that :- We consider that the removal and cultivation of cels from a donated embryo does not indicate a lack of respect for the embryo. Why the Controversy? In 2001 George Bush, then American President decided that the matter was so complex that such research should only proceed with caution. He did however allow research to continue on cells that had already been harvested. In 2004 Gina Kolata wrote in the New York Times under the heading ‘Cloning Creates Human Embryos’. Why is the matter so contraversial. One reason is that pro-life advocates consider the destruction of blastocytes to be immoral according to Teresa Phillips, 2010. However in recent years it has been discovered that there are ways for very similar research to proceed using blood taken with parental permission from the cords of new born babies. Also cells from the skin can be returned to their undifferentiated state. According to Online Newshour under the heading ‘New Stem Cell Techniques Spare Embryos,’ it was announced in October 2005 that two separate American teams had discovered ways in which the research could continue without the destruction of embryos. This kind of research is much less controversial, although still not acceptable to all as the report explains. However , despite the fact that it is considered to be impossible for such cells top develop into a full person ( human cloning) it still has its opponents. Each country produces its own guidelines. Possible Disadvantages of Stem Cell Therapy. In most cases the cells to be used would not be taken from the patient being treated. As pointed out by the United Kingdom government in the Select Committee on Stem Cell Report , ( 2001) In chapter 3 of the report it is pointed out that this could lead to rejection. Also they might , if used therapeutically, differentiate into undesirable cell types or undergo chromosome changes and so generate tumours. At present much of this is theory as, in order to develop the necessary cell lines which would be capalbe of generating replacement cells and tissues which could to treat various diseases, much more research is required. Possible Advantages In some conditions it may be possible to harvest and use cells from an individual to treat his condition by transplanting them back after they have been treated, thus overcoming the problems of possible rejection of ‘foreign’ cells. This involves cloning a person’s cells in order to create to make embryonic stem cells which are an exact match of the patient’s genetic makeup. Limitations It would prove very difficult, if not impossible to obtain certain cells from a living individual e.g. brain cells. This means that if adult stem cells are to be used in place of embryonic ones If adult stem cells are to be of general utility, scientists must first learn to isolate such cells and then grow them on in a culture and finally to differentiate them into the required type of new cells. Also stem cells, which are those which remain undeveloped even in the adult, make up only a very small proportion of tissue cells. One idea mentioned in the report ( Section 3.11) is that some adult stem cells only keep their particular characteristics because of the presence of the cells around them which send signals. If this is true it may mean that growing such cells as a culture may prove difficult, if not impossible. The Next Stage Also in chapter three of the same report it describes quite recent research ( section 3.8) has shown that adult cells have much greater potential for differentiation than had previously been realised. This means that it may be possible to investigate other routes using such cells. As pointed out by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act embryonic research is allowed in order "to increase knowledge about the causes of congenital disease". This statement was developed in 2001 to include:- increasing knowledge about the development of embryos; increasing knowledge about serious disease, or enabling any such knowledge to be applied in developing treatments for serious diseases. Conclusion The proponents of embryonic stem cell research stick by their claim that it holds immense scientific potential and so must be pursued. Its opponents, even if they agree with this possibility, say that this cannot be weighed against what they see as the devaluing of human life. The proponents are of course trying to improve the lives of many who suffer. At the present time research continues both into how an organism is capable of developing from a single cell as well as how damaged cells can be replaced by healthy ones. Under the heading Regenerative Medicine for instance The National Institutes of Health resource for stem cell research described how in 2006 the first 5 chapters of ‘Regenerative Medicine’ were published, but how since that time much further material has been published. However the more research in this expanding field there is the more questions there are. References BLEIKIE, I, GOGGIN,M. and ROTHMEYER, C. ( editors) 2003, Comparative Biomedical Policy, London, Routledge KOLATA, G. 12th February 2004, Cloning Creates Human Embryos, New York Times, available from http://www.unc.edu/~mumukshu/gandhi/gandhi/stemcells.htm ( accessed 4th November 2010) NEW STEM CELL TECHNIQUES SPARE EMBRYOS, October 17th 2005, OnLine News Hour, available from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/stemcells_10-17-05.html ( accessed 4th November 2010) NUFFIELD COUNCIL ON BIOETHICS, 2010, Stem cells: UK developments, available from http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/stem-cells/stem-cells-stem-cells-uk-developments ( accessed 4th November 2010) PHILIPS, T. 2010, Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research, About.com, available from http://biotech.about.com/od/bioethics/i/issuestemcells_2.htm ( accessed 4th November 2010) SELECT COMMITTEE ON STEM CELL RESEARCH , www.parliament .uk, available from http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200102/ldselect/ldstem/83/8301.htm ( accessed 4th November 2010 STEM CELL BASICS, Stem Cell Information , The National Institutes of Health Resource for Stem Cell research, available from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp ( accessed 4th November 2010) Read More