The Introduction of New Medical Technologies: Stem Cell - Research Paper Example

?Dilcia Manzano Michelle Stefano ENG 202 06/30 Stem Cell Research Introduction The introduction of new medical technologies during therecent past has been of great benefit to society. For example, the discoveries of new antibiotics and vaccines have appreciably improved the health of people the world over. The science of stem cell medicine, possibly as or more important to humanity than these other advancements, is launching a new phase of growth and exploration that could be the predecessor of unprecedented therapies and cures. The current enthusiasm concerning potential stem cell-produced remedies emanates from the new genetic biology innovations. Although no person can forecast the outcomes from fundamental research completed during the past generation, there is sufficient existing information to suggest that a great deal of this enthusiasm is warranted. This passion and interest is not shared by persons of the religious conservative faction who was instrumental in slowing stem cell research in the U.S. during the previous presidential administration. This group is against embryonic stem cell research which they allege is immoral and describe as devaluing human life, in much the same way as legal abortion do, drawing a connection between the two controversial subjects. This dialogue will provide a summary of stem cell research and its benefits to humanity, the debate involving the matter and the arguments for continued studies. Definition of Stem Cells Stem cells are essentially the building block cells of a living being and in humans are capable of becoming more than 200 different kinds of tissue. “Stem cells have traditionally been defined as not fully differentiated yet to be any particular type of cell or tissue” (Irving, 1999). Adult stem cells are located in small numbers within most tissues, but the preponderance of stem cells can be acquired from the umbilical cord. A more accurate term is “somatic stem cells” (Sullivan, 2004). There are several prospective sources for stem cells. Embryonic stem cells initiate from the interior cell of an early phase embryo. Embryonic germ cells can be harvested from fetal tissue at a later phase of development. Adult stem cells are generally harvested from mature tissues. “Even after complete maturation of an organism, cells need to be replaced. A good example (of adult stem cells) is blood, but this is true for muscle and other connective tissue as well, and may be true for at least some nervous system cells” (Chapman et al, 1999). Consensus of Studies Much research has been performed by scientists in an effort to establish whether adult tissue stem cells have comparable developmental possibilities as the embryonic stem cells. Scientists now agree that this research has conclusively demonstrated that adult stem cells are not as feasible as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells possess a far superior potential and effectiveness because, contrasting adult stem cells, they have the capability to develop into virtually all cells present in the human body. Adult stem cells merely have the capacity to develop into a small number of cell types. Additionally, embryonic stem cells divide perpetually but adult stem cells do not which diminish their capability of developing into new kinds of cells.  Stem cells are of extensive interest for science and medicine, because they boast the potential, under appropriate conditions, to develop into nearly all of the cell types. Goals of research The three main goals for doing stem cell research are acquiring essential scientific information regarding embryonic development; treating incapacitating disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s and for testing new medications rather than having to use animals (Irving, 1999). Stem cell research is also likely to help victims of diabetes, bone diseases, spinal cord injuries and stroke. The scientific techniques for acquiring stem cells could be the forerunner to unparalleled advances and possibly cures for these and other maladies. It has been conclusively demonstrated by research on animal that stem cells can be separated into cells that will perform as intended in their transplanted location. As an example, the transplantation of stem cells subsequent to treatments for cancer has been implemented with much success for several years. “Experiments such as the transplantation of fetal tissue into the brains of Parkinson’s patients indicate that the expectation that stem cell therapies could provide robust treatments for many human diseases is a reasonable one. It is only through controlled scientific research that the true promise will be understood” (Frankel, 1999). Types and Potential Embryonic stem cells have the capability of restoring damaged or defective tissues which would repair or regenerate organs that have been negatively impacted by a degenerative disease. Cell therapy has the extraordinary potential to provide innovative cures for kidney disease, cancer, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s and many other types of diseases. Cell therapy has also established an immense potential to facilitate the repair and regeneration of spinal cords following injury. This will allow paralyzed patients to recapture lost bodily functions. The possibilities are boundless including significantly advancing human life expectancy because aging organs could be regenerated. “We may even have the ability one day to grow our own organs for transplantation from our own stem cells, eliminating the danger of organ rejection” (“Future of Cell Therapy”, 2006). There potential sources for stem cells are plentiful. The first is stem cells from bone marrow. This variety of stem cell is perhaps the most familiar of the stem cells. It has been customarily used to treat several types of immune disorders and blood cancers in addition to blood and bone and marrow diseases. Leukemia is the most familiar disease that is routinely treated with bone marrow transplants. New data suggests that bone marrow stem cells may possibly possess the ability to “differentiate (the process by which an unspecialized cell acquires the features of a specialized cell) into cells that make up tissues outside of the blood such as liver and muscle.” (NIH, 2011) The adult stem cell is the second type. An adult stem cell is considered to be an undifferentiated cell and is found along with differentiated cells in organs or tissues. These cells can restore themselves and can differentiate to develop into some or all of the key specialized cells types in the muscle and tissue where it is located. The principal purpose of this type of stem cell is to repair and maintain the tissue where they are located. Because there are an especially limited supply of adult stem cells in each tissue, in addition to their limited ability to divide; making generation of great quantities of these cells is not easy. “Research is underway to develop methods to grow larger quantities of adult stem cells in cell cultures (Growth of cells in vitro in an artificial medium for research or medical treatment).” (NIH, 2011) The third kind of stem cell, and by far the most contentious of the three being addressed in this paper, is the embryonic stem cell. Embryonic cells originate from the embryos which are derived from eggs that have been fertilized “in-vitro” (Latin for “in glass”; in a test tube or laboratory dish; a synthetic environment.) and later contributed for study purposes with the consent of donors. These stem cells are not gathered from fertilized eggs from a woman’s body. Embryonic cells, unlike adult stem cells, can become any type of cell within the body since they are pluripotent (These cells are able to cause to exist all of the diverse cell types of the body). Additionally, embryonic cells can be readily grown in a culture. “The possibilities of treatment and perhaps cures for some of the most debilitating and deadly diseases is something that this research and stem cells may offer. “ (NIH, 2011) We have witnessed successful therapy and cures using bone marrow stem cell transplants during the past half century. The MAYO clinic regularly performs stem cell and bone marrow transplants, in fact more than 1,000 per year. This type of remedy is used to treat blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia and various cancers such as leukemia. Throughout high-dose radiation therapy, performed to kill advanced stages of cancer, conventional stem cells that are found in bone marrow being destroyed at the same time. “Without a bone marrow transplant, new blood cells cannot be produced and the patient will die. Injected during transplants procedures, stem cells migrate to a specific location in the bone marrow, where they reestablish the mechanism of blood formation.” (NIH, 2011) Stem cells can undeniably save, improve and extend countless numbers of lives as countless examples attest. In 2009, scientists from the Departments of Anatomy and Physiology and Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine in Kansas State University in Kansas, documented their findings which suggest that unmodified human UCMS (Umbilical Cord Matrix Stem) cells could probably be utilized for breast cancer. The conclusion of the study was further researched and it was discovered that these cells will conclusively diminish metastatic lung cancer in mice too. Continued stem cell research for the use of this kind of cell will surely prove very valuable for patients with breast cancer. With additional government funding, clinical experiments could be greatly expanded. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, afflicts 30,000 Americans. ALS affects the nerve cells in particular portions of the spinal cord and brain causing them to die gradually. Ultimately patients with ALS lose their ability to move their muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. “In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved a clinic trial of a new stem cell treatment for ALS. Patients will receive injections of the spinal cord derived neural stem cells along the spinal cord. Phase I got underway in 2010 and each patient will be evaluated regularly post-surgery and the clinical trial results will be reviewed in 24 months.” (NIH, 2011) Morality vs. Science The ethical dilemma that encompasses the use of aborted fetuses for stem cell research is the notion of abortion itself. Religious conservatives have made it abundantly clear that they are opposed to legal abortions, at least in most situations, and have transferred this philosophy to its objections regarding embryonic stem cell research. The idea of scientific research on this phase of human development, the fetus, which resulted due to an abortion, is unimaginable to them. This ideology of this faction reflects the minority view of society which opposes legal abortion yet, paradoxically, also reflects the majority view that is against the use of aborted fetuses from consenting parents being utilized for experimentation. The reality of society’s contradictory opinion, driven by the conservative minded, has no foundation in reason. “Why would those who claim to be ‘pro-choice’ want to waste the aborted tissue? For that matter, why would pro-lifers want to witness what they believe is a living being tossed away in vain? At least its ‘life’ could have meant something to humanity in a very real way.” (Elam-Evans et al, 2002). Whatever the political or moral position, the fact is, all aborted fetuses could have contributed to scientific progress and medical knowledge in incalculable ways. Those who think they have taking the higher the moral position when it comes to the ‘unborn’ are absolutely willing to let those who are living and breathing to suffer unnecessarily with no hope of the possibility for faster remedy through the science of stem cell research. Abortion laws fluctuate state by state but the preponderance permit abortions to be performed through at least the second trimester which is 24 weeks into the pregnancy. This constraint resulted from the neurological perspective, which conforms to our culture’s description for the death being the lack of a cerebral EEG (electroencephalogram) pattern. This same definition of viability must, consequently, also define life in general as there are no other choices. Heartbeat equals life, the lack of one equals non-life. “The presence of the EEG pattern of a fetus can be detected approximately 27 into weeks into the pregnancy. An embryo is referred to as a fetus at about seven to eight weeks following fertilization. At about four to five weeks, embryonic germ cells, about 2 mm long, are developing” (Morowitz & Trefil, 1992). Religious Considerations Regarding the religious community as a whole, attitudes are considerably varied. The Mormon Church is impartial on the subject of stem cell research although it is against abortion with the exception of rape, incest or if the mother’s health is in jeopardy. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations encourages stem cell research but only if it involves frozen embryos that were unused from test-tube baby laboratories. Many Muslims think that the most persuasive moral argument for utilizing human embryos is that it could one day fight dreaded diseases. Representing Conservative, Protestants, Unitarians and Reform Jews amongst others, The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice encourages unconstrained rights to abortion. This progressive religious alliance believes the healing potential justifies research which uses the leftovers from test-tubes or aborted fetuses. The Catholic Church, much the same as conservative Protestants tells its followers that “the life of every human being is to be respected” and it vehemently opposed to destroying embryos, whether by research or abortion. Eastern Orthodox usually concurs. However, the California Council of Churches, however, “supports a $3 billion state program that involves stem cell harvesting through destruction of cloned embryos” (Ostling, 2005). World Policies The majority of European nations and several others worldwide such as Japan allow for and encourage embryonic stem cell research to various extents. Australia followed the example of Great Britain which allows the use of tissue obtained from aborted fetuses for scientific experimentation with the parents’ permission. “Here in Australia we would be allowed to use it [aborted fetus for embryonic research]. There would be no impediment to that” (Robotham & Smith, 2002). According to the daily news service Health-Day, which reports on consumer health concerns, Swiss physicians at the University of Lausanne found that a “two and a half-inch piece of skin from a fetus, which was aborted at 14 weeks, provided several million grafts that were used to treat burn victims.” (Strode, 2005). The study also discovered that skin cells of an aborted fetus healed burns quicker than standard grafts. According to the prime author of the study, Patrick Hohlfeld, “the use of fetal skin has tremendous potential because taking just one skin graft gives you the potential to treat thousands of people” (Strode, 2005). Scientists offer compelling arguments that embryos should not be thought of as human because they are in such an early phase of development. Embryonic stem cells are gathered from embryos that are just four or five days old. In this period of development, they are referred to as blastocysts and are tinier in width than a human hair. When seen through a microscope, the blastocyst contains less than 200 cells and has no discernable human features nor have the ability to feel pain or any other any sensations. A four of five day old embryo does not yet have any cells that are designated to developing into any specific bodily tissues. An embryo this immature could not as yet have attached to the uterine wall in the woman’s body. Consequently, the viability of the embryo is definitely not certain and is, in fact, improbable. A good case can be made that it could not possess a soul either. “Since an embryo at this stage has not yet reached the point where it might split in two to become twins, an embryo can’t be thought of as an individual person, some ethicists say, since it may actually become two different people” (Manjoo, 2005). Conclusion Religion has traditionally tried to suppress information from the population and to obstruct scientific research. In this era of high-tech communication, science will triumph in at least the industrialized regions of the world. When stem cell research becomes more broadly accepted and utilized, the U.S. will participate but may be far behind the curve of structural systems and technology. This new industry will pump massive amounts of money into many of the world’s economies while the U.S. is attempting to catch up. Many people already are presented with the opportunity of being treated for horrendous diseases in other nations while the U.S. lags behind the others as its people continue to suffer. Other nations will be much further ahead in this science and consequently reap the economic benefits. However, regardless of the economic and human health benefits of embryonic stem cell research, the ‘moralists’ of the conservative faction decline to give up their faulty reasoning. This are the same crowd, no doubt, who believe that the theory of evolution is a liberal plot designed to challenge religion and is a tool of ‘the devil.’ Stem cell research will eventually become widely accepted and hopefully sooner rather than later. Stem cell research advocates must do more to educate opponents so that government’s funding can be allocated to promote this science. If we, as a nation can allocate hundreds of billions of dollars on unnecessary wars that benefit nobody, we can spend much than that less on scientific research that will benefit all of us. Works Cited Chapman, Audrey; Frankel, Mark S.; & Garfinkel, Michele S. “Stem Cell Research and Applications: Monitoring the Frontiers of Biomedical Research.” November 1999. American Association for the Advancement of Science and Institute for Civil Society. July 21, 2011 Elam-Evans, Laurie D.; Strauss, Lilo T.; Herndon, Joy; Parker, Wilda Y.; Whitehead, Sara; & Berg, Cynthia J. “Abortion Surveillance – United States, 1999.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Atlanta, GA: Center for Disease Control, November 13, 2002. Frankel, Mark. “Stem Cell Research and Applications: Findings and Recommendations.” Stem Cell Research and Applications Scientific, Ethical and Policy Issues. November 1999. American Association for the Advancement of Science and Institute for Civil Society. July 21, 2011 < http://www.aaas.org/spp/sfrl/projects/stem/findings.htm> Irving, Dianne N. “Stem Cell Research: Some Pros and Cons.” Written on request of Fr. Thomas King, S.J., Ph.D., Department of Theology, Georgetown University; President, University Faculty For Life, for their newsletter, UFL Pro-Vita, October 15, 1999. Manjoo, Farhad. (June 8, 2005). “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Stem Cell Debate.” Salon.com. July 21, 2011 Morowitz, H. J. & Trefil, J. S. The Facts of Life: Science and the Abortion Controversy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. N.I.H. “Stem Cell Basics: What are the similarities and differences between embryonic and adult stem cells?” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. (January 20, 2011). July 21, 2011 < http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics4> Ostling, Richard N. “A Balance of Benefits in Stem Cell Debate: Divisions Among Religious Groups Suggest Theological Thicket in Life-or-Life Questions.” Washington Post, June 4, 2005, p. B09. Robotham, Julie & Smith, Deborah. “Abortions Set to Fuel Stem Cell Research.” The Sydney Morning Herald. August 5, 2002. Strode, Tom. “Life Digest: New Stem Cell Research Encouraging but Problematic; Researchers Find New Use for Aborted Babies.” Baptist Press News. August 23, 2005. Sullivan, Patricia. “Frequently Asked Questions: Do Stem Cells Come From Aborted Fetuses?” International Society for Stem Cell Research, September 17 2004. “What is the Future of Cell Therapy?” (2006). Stem Cell Research Foundation. Clarksburg, Maryland. July 21, 2011 Read More