Stem Cell Way at the Crossroads of Religion and Politics - Term Paper Example

?Stem Cell Research Legislation Introduction Stem cells are cells that have not yet specialized and renew themselves through cell division, for long periods. They can be induced in certain experimental or physiologic conditions to be cells that perform special functions like brain cells, red blood cells or muscle cells. Stem cell research in US has faced mixed reactions from the citizens and leaders. Federal law restricts funding and stems cells use through budget bill amendments (Vestal and Writer 2008). In 2001, US president George Bush signed a policy that limited the number of lines of stem cells for research use. By mid 2000s, many states like New Jersey allowed human cloning for for developing and harvesting stem cells from humans. However, others like Indiana and Michigan amended laws that prohibited human embryo creation or destruction for purposes of medical research (Vestal and Writer 2008). During his second term, in 2006, Bush for the first time used his presidential veto on Enhancement Act of Stem Cell Research, but it was not enacted into law. Chris Smith, a Jersey congress man, wrote the 2005 Research Act on Stem Cell Therapeutic, with some narrow exceptions, and President Bush signed it into law. When Obama took over as the US president, he removed federal funding restriction, which Bush had passed in 2001 and this only allowed 21 cell lines funding which had already been created. Contrary, the Dickey Budget Amendment in the 2009 Act on Omnibus Appropriations still bans funding by federal for creation of new cell lines. This means that the federal government can only fund research that uses hundreds of lines created by private and public funds The President’s Council (2005). Scientific Background Stem cells are found in many multicellular organisms for example hematopoietic stem cells that are multipotent and give rise to blood lineage cells. Embryonic stem cells differ from multi potent stem cells in that, they are pluripotent and hence are able to provide all body cells. The first embryonic stem cells in humans were isolated in 1998, but 1981, they had been isolated in mice (John and Joe, 2007). The cell therapy on stem cells is called stem cell treatments, which introduce new cells into bodies of humans for possible cancer, diabetes, and somatic cells treatment as well as other medical conditions. Stem cells might also be useful in cloning and they have also been used in repair of tissues that have been damaged by diseases (Neel and Silberner2008). After fertilization, according to John and Joe, (2007) a research conducted at the university of Wake Forest indicated that amniotic fluid sperm cells donated by pregnant mothers hold similar promise like embryonic stem cells. Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, NIH, in 2000 issued federal funding guidelines for embryonic stem cell research (John and Joe, 2007). Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act This was the name given to two similar bills that that passed through the house of senate and representatives in United States. President Bush vetoed the two bills but was not signed into law. Irrespective of their names, they hence remained as bills and not act. Act of 2005 was the first one to be vetoed by President Bush after five years of his inauguration. The bill however did not allow stem cell research to be funded by the federal government. If it was passed, it would have allowed new lines of stem cell research gotten from human embryos, which had been discarded and be created for treatments of fertility. The 2007 Act proposed federal legislation that could amend the act of public health service to provide for stem cell research on human embryos. In April 2007, the bill was passed in the senate and the house by June. The 2009 act triggered more concerns on whether to enact the bill into law but was later passed by the congress in 2009. Stem Cell Research Legislation Stem cell research offers a positive to promise to the cure of certain deadly diseases like cancer and diabetes. Kirk, the Illinois republican says that it is therefore wise to incorporate it into law. In his statement, Kirk said that he is backing its legislation because it is absolutely essential to the field, as federal funding uncertainty is a major discouragement to Young Scientists who want to undertake research on stem cells. In 2006, the congress defied President Bush through passing of a bill that allows the federal government to increase its funding on embryonic stem-cell research. Supporters of stem cell research believe that it will help in providing cure s for many illnesses and conditions like spinal cord injuries, to Parkinson’s disease. This tempted President Bush to use his veto, for the first time of his powers. This however, triggered an emotional debate as many senators recounted the possible loss of many loved ones if the bill was enacted into law. Legislation of the bill would allow researchers of stem cell to acquire funding from federal government and the scientists would use embryos that would otherwise be destroyed in the process of in-vitro fertilization (Christine, 2009). Opponents of the bill legislation, including Bush, argue that research on embryonic stem cell is unethical and immoral because during the research, the embryo is destroyed. Mr. Bush therefore believes that federal government should not fund research that that results into murder. On the other hand, most scientists say that embryonic stem cells can form all the different types of tissues that re found in the body of humans. Therefore, this could allow replacement of diseased and damaged organs and cells together with the possibility of developing and testing new drugs (Zhang, 2006). The issue happens to raise political and public issues, with strong support for the stem call research. Mrs. Reagan, Californian governor, said that it was important to vote for embryonic stem-cell research because very many families are suffering and this could be an answer to their cry. Researchers, Kerstin, (2010) assess that they believe that life is very precious and embryonic stem-cell research was the only promising research to saving lives. However, the research opponents say that the government’s efforts should focus on umbilical cord stem and adult cells that have already shown promising results (Pam, and Gasil, 200). In 2009, it was stated that research involving embryonic and non-embryonic stem cells from humans had the potentials of providing a better understanding and cure for many disabling conditions and diseases. Therefore, the scientific research was promising and encouraging, and hence needed to be funded by the federal government in order to increase research in the scientific community (Executive Order 13505—Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells, 2009). In the article, president Obama further stated that embryonic cell research had been discouraged by presidential actions, and this order was aimed at removing such barriers and encourage further research in this field. The article said that would enhance American scientists’ contribution to important new therapies and discoveries that would greatly benefit mankind. Research was to be conducted by support of NIH director, together with human services and health secretaries in order to conduct scientifically worthy and responsible human stem-cell research, as well as research from human embryonic stem-cells, but only up to levels permitted by law. Executive Order 13435 (2007) aimed at increasing approved stem-cell lines in ways that are ethically responsible. In 2001, (August 9), president Bush announced that he had accepted that federal funds be used to fund human embryonic stem-cell but only on the condition that the research was conducted in ways that did not encourage more destruction embryos from human stem cells. A plan to implement the order called for: issue funding of opportunity announcement, renaming of NIH stem-cell registry like the stem cell registry of human pluripotent. The article also stated that alternative pluripotent stem cell sources should be considered and a comprehensive portfolio analysis undertaken. In ensuring responsibility in embryonic tam-cell research, it was also proposed that the state-of-the-science workshop to be convened and research symposium prior to research that offered the greatest clinical benefits potentials (The President’s Council, 2005). According to Executive Order 13435 (2007), it was evident that knowledge advancement on cell specialization was medically valuable but unfortunately, human embryos had to be destroyed. However, the recent technical in innovations of proliferation and stem cell derivation shows that new scientific progress avenues may be found in this arena. In 2005, alternative human pluripotent stem-cell sources were published on a white paper by the PCOB. Such alternative sources included “dead embryos”, somatic cells dedifferentiation and reprogramming, together with single-cell embryo biopsy. Another potential source was said to be human amniotic fluid (Executive Order 13435, 2007). Although many of the alternative approaches indicate great promise, they have not yet been proven in their potentials of producing potential stem cells. NIH supports use of animal models to determine if they can develop potential stem cells. Recent studies by Neel, and Silberner, (2009) show that adult mouse cells have greater potentials of being reprogrammed to act like embryonic stem-cells. Because those approaches are to be applied on humans, scientists must carefully consider the ethics and regulators on the basis of case-by-case, as more data become available. On the other hand, they must be analyzed according to the President’s Policy and (HERB) Human Embryo Research Ban (Frank, (2006). Conclusion Use of human embryos in research in an attempt to find cure for certain diseases and conditions has aroused various controversies. Though finding a cure for such diseases is a good step in saving human lives, destruction of human embryos is considered by many as murder, hence not morally or ethically acceptable. US president, George Bush strongly opposed stem cell research legislation, but Obama overturned his policy when he got into power. However, Bush had accepted the funding of the research by federal government but only on condition that it was based on morally acceptable ways, like use of alternative like mouse cells, and did not involve more destruction of human embryos. Though there is need for finding a cure for deadly diseases like cancer, the issue of destroying human embryos leaves many people in a dilemma on whether to accept or reject further research on embryonic stem cells. On my own opinion, I believe in the sanctity of life and therefore, I strongly disagree on the research legislation if it involves destruction of human embryos. However, I strongly support the use of alternative approaches like”, somatic cells dedifferentiation and reprogramming, together with single-cell embryo biopsy together with amniotic fluid sperm cells from expectant mothers. References Christine, V. (2009). "Stem Cell Research at the Crossroads of Religion and Politics," Pew Forum paper; Pew Forum. Executive Order 13505. (2009). Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells. Retrieved 7th June, 2011 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Removing-Barriers-to-Responsible-Scientific-Research-Involving-Human-Stem-Cells/. Executive Order 13435. (2007). Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways, Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 120, 34591-34593. Retrieved 7th June, 2011 from http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3112.pdf. Frank, B. (2006). The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, Fiction, and the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political, and Religious Debate of Our Time. New York; American Management Association. Neel, J. and Silberner, J. (2009). "Stem Cells Used in Woman's Amniotic Fluid," All Things Considered, Chicago; Chicago University Press. Joe, P. and John, Y. (2009). "Embryonic Stem Cells Made Without Embryos," NPR, 21, 2007, NPR Website. Kerstin, K. (2010) "Illiberal Biopolitics, Human Embryos and the Stem Cell Controversy in US. London; London School of Economics and Political Science. Pam, S. and Gasil, G. (2007). The Promise and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Praeger, Westport, Connecticut. The President’s Council (2005). Alternative Sources of Pluripotent Stem Cells: A White Paper, US; Washington, D.C. Retrieved 7th June, 2011 from http://www.bioethics.gov/reports/white_paper/alternative_sources_white_paper.pdf. Zhang, X. (2006). Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Retrieved 7th June, 2011 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt. Read More