A on stem cell legislation - Research Paper Example

?RUNNING HEAD: STEM CELL RESEARCH LEGISLATION A Research Paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation Stem Cell Research Legislation Stem cell research is a discipline that is involved in the study of the uses, utilizations and applications of the stem cell, a type of cell that can develop into any form of specialized cell that can help save a particular body function by replenishing the supply of the said cell. Due to the fact that the said concept has the potential capacity to save many lives, a continuous discipline is dedicated for the advocacy, research and development. At the same time, due to the involvement of human health and welfare in the study, strict and structured guidelines were established and continuously being updated to be able to ensure that the components of stem cell research adheres to bioethics and legislations (Atala, Lanza, and Thomson, 2010, p.1123). The paper is aimed to present an overview of the meaning of Stem Cell Research with the focus on the Stem Cell Research Legislation and other related legal issues. Included in the topics discussed in the paper are the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States and the comparative analysis of the policies in the U.S. with the rest of the world. In addition, the presentation of the current legislative state of affairs in the country is also considered as an important part of the study undertaken. For the future view on the legal policies, provisions, and laws specifically in terms of the applications of stem cells. One of the manners by which the said objectives are achieved is through the presentation and discussion of sample research results related to the legislation of Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States History In the United States, Stem Cell Research Legislation can be divided in terms of the different stages. In the initial stage of the discipline, the main focus is embryo ethics. It occurred in the year 1998 when the human embryonic stem (hES) cells were first isolated from embryos given by couples who no longer need them for infertility treatment. The possession and the process by which the heS cells had been acquired ensued controversies and dawning conflict between science and society on the basis of bioethics (Hyun, 2010, p.71). In August 2000, although the US NIH established guidelines that limit the research to existing cell lines, it had not been employed due to the influence of the President in the content of the guidelines. Due to the need for an established set of rules and guidelines, the cooperation of the different organizations and authorities on the discipline has been undertaken. Contributions were made by the Chief Medical Officer’s Expert Group in Great Britain, private ethics boards in Geron Corporation, Advanced Cell Technology in US, committees of the National Research Council, and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (Atala, Lanza, and Thomson, 2010, p.1123). Even through the continuing controversies regarding the sources of the heS cells, the stem cell research continued. This is the second stage of the stem cell research discipline which can be described to be beyond the embryo. This can be attributed to the fact that there had been two (2) developments in the field. The first is the human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells which are dermal fibroblasts which had been altered through genetic engineering to behave as heS cells. Another is related to the stance of Obama administration regarding the heS cell research. Prior to his administration, the main focus is the decision to continue or halt the research. On the other hand, he focused on the “how” of the research process. In this case, it can be considered that he already accepted the continuation of the stem cell research but it should be based on the legislations established by the authorities, both in the administration and in the medical field (Hyun, 2010, p.71). Views and Provisions The Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States is then based on the guidelines presented by the cooperation of the different authorities and organizations related to the discipline. The Executive Order in 2007 and 2009 affirm the view of the United States on the Stem Cell Research. The Executive Order of the President 13435, Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways, expressed the guidelines regarding procedures of laboratory research. For example, the heS cells can be used but only if there are empirical data undertaken on animal species. In addition, the human embryos are considered as living organisms thus cannot be used as raw materials for experimentation. Stressing the fact that the process is for clinical rather then any other forms of applications is also one of the priorities of the legislation (National Archives and Records Administration, 2007). The fourth part of the President Executive Order, the 1305 which is entitled Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells, states the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the director of NIH to support and conduct human stem cell research through the guidelines allowed by the law. But it revoked the legislations of the 13435 which is focused on allowing research so long as no human embryos were harmed. Another is the permission on the research for the heS cells acquired prior to August 9, 2001 (Atala, Lanza, and Thomson, 2010, p.216; National Archives and Records Administration, 2009). Stem Cell Research Legislation in Other Countries The active participation and contributions of different nations had been observed in the cooperation for the establishment of the guidelines to be employed regarding stem cell research. One of the main reasons for the active participation had need the “Bush doctrine” since different countries had viewed the influence of the said move in the development of biotechnology especially in the future. Countries such as United Kingdom, Sweden, Singapore, Korea, Japan and Australia established their own stem cell research institutions. In every country, there are conflicting sides of their own regarding the bioethical guidelines on the concept (Solo and Pressberg, 2007, p.103). In this case, it can be considered that the search for new knowledge and development related to stem cell is the similar objective of each nation. What differ for each country are the main roots of acceptance, controversies and contradictions regarding the research. Current and Future Legislative State The present state of stem cell research includes exploration of the stem cells in cellular therapy. This issue alone constitutes a controversial realm in the scientific and cultural world. This can be attributed to the fact that disciplines related not only to stem cells are involved such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and even the business and industrial groups (Razvi, 2010, p.197). For that matter, continuous update and study of the legislations is required for the establishment of efficient guidelines. The most sensitive area of the application of cellular therapy is the clinical applications to actual human patients. In addition, the development of the human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in the present can lead to the future of stem cells. These two applications of the stem cell research can be considered as the significant factors that can shape the legislative view in the future of the discipline (Greer, 2005, p.226; Hyun, 2010, p.74). Analysis In the study of the stem cell research and the legislative guidelines, there are different points that can be considered. One is the personal view regarding stem cell research. It can be considered advantageous in finding cure to different types of illness affecting the human population. On the other hand, saving people at the expense of the human embryos can be considered as ethically questionable. As a common notion, the end cannot justify the means. On a personal note though, the human civilization is in a continuously improving road through science and technology. More ethically disturbing phenomenon had been observed in the early part of human history compared to the use of human embryo. This can only be considered as a phase toward the achievement of finding cures to different illnesses. In addition, the use of pluripotent stem (iPS) cells gives hope on the elimination of the use of heS cells for the stem cell research. Conclusion Based on the data gathered and the research conducted, it can be considered that stem cell research legislation is both successful and is needed in the future endeavor of the stem cell research to be able to achieve the goal of finding cure to different diseases and in cellular therapy. References Atala, A., Lanza, R. and Thomson, J.A. (2010). Principles of Regenerative Medicine. Academic Press. Greer, E.V. (2005). Trends in Stem Cell Research. Nova Publishers. Hyun, I. (2010). The Bioethics of Stem Cell Research and Therapy. J. Clin. Invest, 120, 71-75. National Archives and Records Administration (2007). Part III The President Executive Order 13435 Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways. Federal Register,72 (120), 34591-3. National Archives and Records Administration (2009). Part IV President Executive Order 13505 Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells. Federal Register,74 (46), 10667-8. Razvi, E.S. (2010). Conference Scene: Emerging Themes in the Stem Cells Space. Regen. Med., 5(2), 197-200. Solo, P. and Pressberg, G. (2007). The Promise and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Greenwood Publishing Group. Read More