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The Costly Practice of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

LaniseB | Feb 8, 2011 |

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Stem cells have the potential of developing into unspecialized cells found within the body which can be used to create tissue and treat diseases. There are two sources where researchers acquire stem cells from and they are from embryos or adults. However, there is a controversy about the ethical practices of using human embryos in stem cell research. To put the controversy to an end and continue to move forward within science, it would be more beneficial for researchers to use adult stem cells rather than embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research is a costly practice for the early lives of humans and the progress of the scientific research industry. Adult stem cells are a better alternative for researchers to use when considering the early life and growth process of humans. Though there are advantages to using stem cells, the disadvantages do not outweigh the advantages in this line of research.

Researchers into the field of stem cells came under the public’s view in November of 1998. The first discovery of stem cells was made by Dr. James A. Thomson, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Since the late 1980s, stem cell research has come under heavy debate as to the ethical and moral value of life. It is interesting to note that “stem cells can be found within the different tissues of the human body at all stages of life, before and after birth” (Kadereit). Therefore, it would be more practical for researchers to use adult stem cells instead of embryonic stem cells. It would seem that an avoidance of using embryos in stem cell research would help to put an end to the ethical debate. Stem cells can develop into different types of cells during the early part and later on in the life process. With this in mind, embryonic stem cells should not be used by researchers since adult cells are just a readily available and without controversy as well.

The negative aspects of stem cell research lies in the use of embryonic research. Embryonic stem cells are gathered from three sources. The three sources come from fetal tissue from miscarriages and abortions and from embryos that are not selected for implantation but were created through vitro fertility. Such embryonic sources are the cause for the ethical debate because many individuals are against the destruction of human embryos. The regard for human life is an important factor in embryonic stem cell research. If a person holds to the view that a human embryo does not have moral status or worth then the individual would most likely support embryo research. On the other hand, if a person believes that embryos are invaluable and indeed that human life starts at the embryonic stage then embryo research would be a most detestable practice. The stem cell debate rests upon these two opposing views.

If researchers were no longer to use embryonic stem cells, the industry would save on funding since embryo research is a costly endeavor. Embryo research is both costly for the lives of human embryos and the amount of funds it takes to supply research. There is a difference between researchers trying to advance the progress of helping further the lives of others and destroying the future of those who can not have a say in the matter. In contrast, adult stem cells can be used to develop different types of cells without raising a controversy. It was not until recently that adult stem cells could be used in scientific research. Therefore, research must continue long into the future before researchers will be able to know and understand the full effects and benefits of adult stem cell research.

There have been several positive progresses in adult stem cell research up until this point. Found within many different types of tissues and organs are adult stem cells which like embryo stem cells, adult cells have the potential to be induced into a pluripotent state. Adult stem cells that are developed into a pluripotent state can potentially be used to “create patient-specific cell therapies that could reduce many of the underlying complications seen in therapies with embryonic stem cells” (American Heart Association). Adult stem cells can be used to treat various diseases and used as therapies. Diseases such as “cancers, auto-immune diseases, cardiovascular, immunodeficiency, anemia and other blood conditions” (Stem Cell Research Facts) can be treated with adult stem cells. “Adult stem cells, such as blood-forming stem cells in bone marrow called hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs, are currently the only type of stem cell commonly used to treat human diseases” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

In some cases there are stem cells that can be misused and result in creating tumors in human tissue. However, researchers are still coming to understand the mechanisms of adult stem cells. In the future, with the proper knowledge of stem cells, many diseases and injuries can be cured and healed with adult stem cells. The research into using embryonic stem cells is an expensive practice but adult stem cells are not as costly to come by. Adult stem cells come from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fluid, body tissues, and even from cadavers. However, unlike embryo research the three sources of adult stem cells do not destroy human life.

Some years ago, Congress issued a ban on stem cell research. The ban was passed in 1995 which restricted public funds from supporting the destroying of embryos in stem cell research. Later in 1999 Congress decided that embryo research could continue as long as the destruction of unborn babies was supported by private funding instead of public funding. As of March 2009, President Obama issued an Executive Order that changed the way stem cell research is conducted. The 2009 Executive Order overthrew President Bush’s previous policy. The new Executive Order will “expand the number of human embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federally-funded research” (American Association for the Advancement of Science). The new order also revoked the presidential statement of August 9, 2001 and the Executive Order 13435. The presidential statement of 2001 stated that federal funds could be given to embryo research that met a certain criteria. The Executive Order 13435 dealt with “expanding approved stem cell lines in ethically responsible ways” (The President's Council on Bioethics) which was also revoked by President Obama. The United States government’s current views on stem cell research rests upon the President’s March executive order.

Other countries such as Finland, Greece, Sweden, and the United Kingdom allow embryo research however there are also other countries who do not allow embryonic research. Countries like Austrica, Denmark, France, Germany, and Ireland do not allow research using embryo stem cells. Thus, like many people, even countries are divided over whether or not embryo stem cell research is a proper ethical practice. Since there are alternatives to using embryo stem cells that may help to put an end to the stem cell controversy it would make more sense for researchers to apply those sources to the field. Considering the many benefits that adult stem cells have compared to embryo stem cells is just one more incentive that stem cell researchers should take advantage of.

In January of 2009, Geron a biotechnology company based in California received clearance from the FDA to start “the first human clinical trial of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). To date there has not been a successful treatment on a human subject using embryo stem cells. However, stem cell alternatives to embryo research have been successful to date. Patients in the United States have received treatments and benefited from alternative stem cell sources. Alternatives to stem cell research are more beneficial to patients right now and will probably be more beneficial and readily available than embryo cells will. In the future, the potential for stem cell research to cure diseases is a very high possibility if researchers take the right path.

The value of human life means different things to different people. Unfortunately the lives of many embryos do not have the chance to make a stance for themselves. Other individuals, mostly those in positions of power, decide whether or not it is lawful to kill an unborn baby. Many researchers and proponents of embryo research choose to view embryos as test subjects. In fact, the word embryo is used as a possible means to mask the fact that the subject in question is an unborn child. Other people may believe the contrary but such individuals have the advantage of being able to speak and make decisions for their selves. Embryos intended to be used for stem cell research are never given that chance. Perhaps it may sound ignorant or harsh to some but embryonic stem cell research is the destruction of a human whether or not a person believes life starts at conception or upon being born.

In the end, embryonic stem cell research is indeed a costly practice for both the early lives of humans and the research industry. Financially and ethically stem cell research is a strain on the progress of science unless the proper measures are taken now. The stem cell controversy surrounds the use of cells acquired from human embryos. The alternatives to embryo stem cell research can produce potentially remarkable developments in the field of science. If the research industry shifts from using embryo stem cells to adult stem cells the progress of medicine and science would move forward much smoother. Also, the morally opposed to embryonic research would be appeased for the most part as well. Stem cells are a valuable tool for the future of medicine and science but the cure for others should not be bought at the expense of another’s death.

References:

“AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research.” AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2009.

“Adult Stem Cells.” Stem Cell Research Facts, n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2009.

“Advising the President on ethical issues related to advances in biomedical science and technology.” Bioethics.gov. The President's Council on Bioethics Washington, D.C., Jan. 2004. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

Kadereit, Suzanne. “Adult Stem Cells.” ISSCR. 31 Mar. 2005. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

“Stem Cell Research.” American Heart Association. 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Stem Cells and Diseases.” StemCells.nih.gov. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health. 1 May 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.