Ethcis of Stem Cell - Research Paper Example

?The Ethics of Stem Cell Research Introduction As recently as 1998 scientists at the of Wisconsin were able for the first time to isolate human embryonic stem cells and then to enable these to grow on into more specialized cells required by the developed body.( Duffy 2002) It is during the process of cells becoming specialized that the problems can occur which lead to such things as birth defects and cancers. The premier goal of this kind of scientific research is to identify exactly how cells differentiate and , using this knowledge, then be able to .turn such cells into those useful to treat various debilitating conditions, such as removing the need for transplants. However the harvesting of such ‘master ‘ cells ( Duffy 2002) involves the destruction of human embryos and so has met much opposition by those who feel it is unjustified slaughter of potential human beings. It must however be pointed out that these are embryos bred in a laboratory and which whould never have come into existance otherwise, so this is very different from an abortion done perhaps only for reasons of social convenience. . Annotated Bibliography Anderson, N. ( 2004) Does Life Begin at Conception? A Position Statement, Anderson looks at the ethics and religious points of view on the subject. He describes how different religions have different views as to when life begins. Some Hindus for instance take the stance that life begins at 3 months after conception. Other individuals would differentiate between an embryo concieved in a human relationship and this laboratory act of creation. Ideas have altered over time. Thomas Aquinus for instance held the view, put forward earlier by Aristotle, that life began 40 days after conception.. Anderson goes on to point out that there are a number of different ideas involved. First , purely biological life which begins at conception. Secondly animation, i.e the point at which an embryo begins to move independently. Thirdly what he describes as ‘ensoulment’ i.e. the theological point at which an embryo can considered to have a soul. He also discusses such things as value - does an adult invalid have more ‘value’ than a few cells in a pertrie dish? Anderson points out the Roman Catholic Church’s stance which is that government’s have an obligation to protect the vulnerable. Surely this obligation should extend to the severely ill as well as those groups of laboratory bred cells? Duffy, D., ( 2002) Background and Legal Issues Related to Stem Cell Research, Congressional Research Service, Almanac of Policy Issues, Duffy claims that human embryonic stem cells (HESC) from embryos in their earliest stage of development are believed to be capable to transform themselves into differing body cell types than any adult stem cells. Research has therefore centered upon the potential that these cells have for the treatment to treat or mitigate the effects of various diseases as well as generating tissues which could be used to replace faulty cells or even organs. Duffy describes various sources for such cells. These are one week old blastocysts created via in vitrio fertilization; embryos of from 5 to 9 weeks obtained through elective abortion processes; embryos created in vitro purely for research purposes; embryos created by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) i.e. cloning; and finally adult stem cells such as those from bone marrow ore the umbilical cord.. Because the harvesting of such ‘master ‘cells involves the destruction of human embryos it has met much opposition by those who feel it is unjustified slaughter of potential human beings. It must however be pointed out that these are embryos bred in a laboratory and which whould never have come into existance otherwise, so this is very different from an abortion done perhaps only for reasons of social convenience. In 2002 , according to Duffy, the American Government announced that, with a number of restrictions, federal funds would be made available for stem cell research, but this would be with established strains. Hinnovic, (2011) Stem Cell Research and the Law, Health Innovations in Context, This article leads with the world picture about legal issues linked with stem cell research. There is a link to a map which shows which countries have legislation on the subject and the type of intervention that has been taken. It is pointed out that the legislation is concerned with ethical issues that have not yet been resolved, as well as scientific, social and legal matters. There is huge variation in what these laws cover. Most cover such matters as the licensing of research and oversight of work undertaken. Some laws are quite restrictive, but others are much more permissive as to what is allowed or not allowed. Within the U.S.A federal laws could be described as restrictive, but the author points out that some individual states such as California and New Jersey have much more permissive state legislation. This rather defeats the purpose of national legislation and so raises even more issues. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies( 2008) This group has issued guidelines regarding the conduct of any Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The fact that over a relatively short period such guidelines have been revised on more than one occasion shows how the ethical considerations have altered over time. The ethical stances taken on this issue by various groups can be linked to ideas about what is seen as the related subject of induced abortion. Johnson, G. ( 2003) Grappling with the Ethics of Stem Cell Research, On Science, Johnson states that in laboratory mice who were lacking effective immune systems , researchers have been able to use embryonic stem cells to bring about a cure for type 1 diabetes, for Parkinsons disease and damaged nerve and cardiac tissues. If similar results could be obtained in humans not only would much human suffering be alleviated or prevented, but the huge costs of research would soon be repaid in the resulting lack of health care and support such people would require once their health was improved. Johnson is concerned primarily with the ethics of the subject of stem cell research. He points out how difficult this initial harvesting is , but does go on to say that a number of lines, i.e cells descended from the originals, have been established. He points out how in America, if such research is privately funded, then there is no ethical oversight - this of course does not necessarily mean that guidelines are not being followed. He tells us that in 2001 federal funding was made available for HESC research, but that would only be fro lines already established i.e there would not be funding for any more harvesting of cells from whatever source. Because this has become a political as much as a scientific issue Johnson believes that American government policies will vary over time. He concludes his article by discussing the possiblity of human frailty e.g. Parkinson’s disease, being treated with cells which originated in mice, something tha tresearchers believe is possible, if not yet proven. If this can be done, Johnson says, then a whole new number of ethical issues will need to be considered. National Institutes of Health, ( May 2011) Research Ethics and Stem Cells, Stem Cell Information, Mention is made of the public debate this subject has caused. At the same time they say ‘A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions.’ This group stress that as science and technology move into new fields , so do the various ethical viewpoints which accompany such developments. It is therefore important they say tha the issues involved are discussed and explored , both scientifically and ethically. In some cases cells have been removed from embryos at a later stage of development, and this brings with it a whole new aspect to both legal and ethical considerations. . Siegel (25th April 2008 ) , Ethics of Stem Cell Research, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, This article points out the main purpose of HESC research, i.e to identify the complex mechanisms that control cell differentiation and which enable HESCs into specific cell types required by the body. This knowledge would then be used in order to improve treatment for various debilitating and even life-threatening conditions. However also included is the opposing viewpoint. ‘Opponents of HESC research argue that the research is morally impermissible because it involves the unjust killing of innocent human beings.’ The question for many would be is ‘Are these really human beings at this stage?’ or ‘At what stage can an embryo be considered to have value as a human being?’ that is similar question stop those posed by the question of induced abortion. The writers are aware of more recent research into the use of adult cells for similar purposes, but state that these are as yet unproved so the present controversy will continue, at least in the immediate future. . Takahashi, K., Tanabe,K., Ohnuki, M., Nartita,M., Ichisaka, T.,Tomoda,K.and Yamanaka, S. (2007) Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined Factors, Cell 131: 861-872., Although this article is mainly concerned with the properties of cells and the processes involved in their change into cells with clearly differentiated roles, but it also makes a very important point because this research study may have the answer to the controversy. The researchers state plainly ‘These findings demonstrate that iPS (Induced pluripotent stem ) cells can be generated from adult human fibroblasts.’ Later they go on to say:- Successful reprogramming of differentiated human somatic cells into a pluripotent state would allow creation of patient- and disease-specific stem cells. Surely there will be much less controversy if such cells are developed into lines that have the potential to heal and alleviate human suffering. The authors admit that their work requires further evaluation, but does promises hope for the future. If this can be done it will deal with the majority of any ethical arguments about HESC. The problem will have shrunk to much smaller proprtions. Conclusion There will always be those who will oppose this kind of research and feel, for both religious and ethical reasons, even if it can potentially lead to the alleviation of much human suffering. The destruction involved cannot be justified, they say, as no one life is of more value than another. There are of course those who disagree, otherwise this kind of research would not have been done. However the opposiiton has led to other wider research such as that involving the use of adult skin cells to produce undifferentiated cells which can then be used so even the opposition has been useful. The American Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethics ( May 2011) quotes the American President Obama:- As our nation invests in science and innovation and pursues advances in biomedical research and health care, it's imperative that we do so in a responsible manner. There are still large gaps in knowledge on this topic. As this develops over time presumably ethical and legal ideas on this and related topics will continue to develop too. References Anderson, N. ( 2004) Does Life Begin at Conception? A Position Statement, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://home.comcast.net/~walkswithastick/lifebegins.html Duffy, D., ( 2002) Background and Legal Issues Related to Stem Cell Research, Congressional Research Service, Almanac of Policy Issues, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://www.policyalmanac.org/health/archive/crs_stem_cell.shtml Hinnovic, (2011) Stem Cell Research and the Law, Health Innovations in Context, retrieved 15th June 2011 from http://www.hinnovic.org/stem-cell-research-and-the-law/ Hug,K., ( 23rd March 2011) Embryonic Stem Cell Research : An Ethical Dilemma, Euro Stem Cell, retrieved 15th June 2011 from http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embyronic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies( 2008) retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12260 Johnson, G. ( 2003) Grappling with the Ethics of Stem Cell Research, On Science, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/Articles/stemcellethics.html National Institutes of Health, ( May 2011) Research Ethics and Stem Cells, Stem Cell Information, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/ethics.asp Obama, B. ( undated) quoted by The Presidential Commission for the Study of Biomedical Ethics, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://bioethics.gov/ Siegel (25th April 2008 ) , Ethics of Stem Cell Research, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, retrieved 14th June 2011 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stem-cells/ Takahashi, K., Tanabe,K., Ohnuki, M., Nartita,M., Ichisaka, T.,Tomoda,K.and Yamanaka, S. (2007) Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined Factors, Cell 131: 861-872., retreived 14th June 2011 from http://images.cell.com/images/Edimages/Cell/IEPs/3661.pdf Read More