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Running Head: CONTROVERSY IN STEM CELL RESEARCH
Question of Ethics for Stem Cell Research
Rita Hendrix
DeVry University
ENGL1350_A Bacon_Advanced Composition
Spring B 2010
Life is a precious gift. Scientists work every day searching for breakthroughs to not only preserve this precious gift, but also to find ways to make the quality of life the best it can be. Some methods of research involve studies and procedures that carry tremendous controversy. In recent decades scientists have discovered through research in animals when there are diseased or damaged cells in the body, they can be replaced with healthy cells to repair the damage. They have also discovered the human body responds in the same manner as animal life. While there are debates that arise concerning studies being performed on animal life, it dims in comparison to the controversy that is widespread for viewing similar processes for human life. Finding healthy cells to replace damaged cells in some instances is as simple as introducing healthy cells from the same life form into a damaged area of the body. An example of this is using healthy cells from one part of the heart and transplanting them in a damaged area. Cells normally reproduce at an astounding rate which could allow healing to occur. However, the procedure of using autonomous stem cells isn’t always feasible. Researchers have also discovered the potential to use human embryonic stem cells. The controversy comes into play with this procedure, retrieval of embryonic stem cells result in the demise of the embryo. Is it ethical to destroy a potential life to preserve an existing life? This is the question that is provoking an enormous amount of controversy. As presented by Green (2007), “There is also the matter of respect for the moral sensitivities of our fellow citizens, whether we share their views or not.” The value placed on life is at stake, while being caught up in a controversial issue debating the techniques required to maintain quality for existing lives.
The human body is comprised of billions and billions of cells. These cells regenerate making new cells constantly until they are damaged by disease, injury, etc. When cells are damaged the body does not function as it would with healthy cells. The International Society for Stem Cell Research defines stem cells by two properties. The first are the cells that originate from the same body, these are known as adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are cells that are able to renew themselves. There is very little public debate concerning the use of adult stem cells. Transplantation of adult stem cells takes place in the same body the donor and the recipient are one in the same. The use of adult stem cells is limited; the same type of cell must be used for a specific part of the body, skin cells for skin cell repair, muscle for muscle repair, etc. Adult stem cells have not been identified to successfully be transplanted for instance in a patient with diabetes, the disease is systemic and the cells have already mutated and a transplant would not be possible. Transplant of this type would be entering damaged cells to mutated cells and rejuvenation could not occur. Research in this area has been slow related to the limitation of use for self cell replacement being restricted in most instances. In November, 2009 it was reported by the Science Daily,
“The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk (p. 86).”
While progress in the use of adult stem is being made, it is extremely slow and in the meantime human suffering is continuing, death is ultimately occurring in some instances. Adult stem cells have gone through the processes of dividing numbers of times, their viability is therefore limited for further division to continue for any length of time.
The second stem cell property defined by the International Society for Stem Cell Research is embryonic stem cells. These are the cells which exist in the beginning of development. They are cells that have not matured to a specific cell type and can be used interchangeably. The use for embryonic stem cells can be for any area of the body, they will take on the characteristics of the cells where they are transplanted. Bigoney (2009 p 25) states,
‘in contrast, embryonic stem cells, isolated from a human embryo, often replicate indefinitely, creating what is referred to as a ‘cell line’.” It might stand to reason since embryonic stem cells are so versatile they should be used rather than being limited to the specifics of the adult stem cell. If it were only so simple, there is an enormous amount of controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. The retrieval of embryonic stem cells results in the demise of the embryo, thus presenting an enormous ethical issue.
The ethical issues of stem cell research are far and wide, the issues are concerns for researchers, politicians and the general public of not only the United States but people around the world. Both groups those in favor and those against stem cell research present strong defenses for their views on the subject.
The subject of stem cell research in itself is not so much the issue. It is the sources of the stem cells that become the ethical issue. The Catholic Church is one of the largest groups in opposition to stem cell research. Scientists have found through animal study that embryonic stem cells are the most versatile, this has been established. They also know that the same principles could be applied with human cells. The issue would be mute if the embryos were not destroyed through the process of retrieving viable cells. Ford (2008 p.39) stated, “References to human life in the womb throughout the Bible give ample evidence that God is providently involved in the formation of human beings from conception.” It stands to reason that the Catholic Church would not be a supporter of a procedure that, while may benefit another human being, results in the demise of an embryo. The Church took the stand that abortion, even in the first trimester was against their teachings. The Church teaches that the cells from the moment of conception are the product for a new human life (Ford, 2008). A discussion could be presented that if the cells which have joined together and begun to grow are not differentiated, how can it be offered that retrieving these cells can be viewed as taking the life of an embryo? The cells at the early point have not evolved into the distinguishing cell characteristics that constitute a human life form.
This is just a sampling of the issues surrounding stem cell research. While the result of embryonic stem cell retrieval at this point in research is subject to the demise of the embryo, both sides of the controversy agree that methods to obtain embryonic stem cells should continue to be investigated. Ford (2008, p.44) reports, “It is imperative that Catholic healthcare facilities find alternative cell therapies by seeking to obtain suitable stem cells similar to human ESC (embryonic stem cells), but not derived from human embryos.” Thus far, there have not been any means to obtain embryonic stem cells from any source other than embryos. Stem cells can be retrieved from other sources, but those cells are differentiated and do not have the versatility of the ESC.
These are but a few of the issues that are being battled in the controversy concerning stem cell research. There are also legal issues involving consent, free will, and the benefits that could be available to people living with debilitating diseases or paralyzing injuries. Life is an ever changing experience. People can display strong convictions opposing issues such as stem cell research. They can argue with strong passion that it is wrong to take the cells from an embryo and use them in another human being. These belief’s can be changed in an instant when a family member becomes critically ill and the family is faced with a decision of preserving quality life for a loved one.
References
Bigoney, R. and Spencer, E., (2009) Medical Ethics: Issues of Life and Death, Pharmaceutical
Representative, CMR Institute, p. 24-27.
Ford, N. (2008). Symposium: Religion in assisted reproduction A Catholic ethical approach to human
reproductive technology. Ethics, Bioscience and Life, Vol. 3, November 2008, 39-48.
Green, R., (2007). Can we develop ethically universal embryonic stem-cell lines?. Nature Publishing
Group, June 2007, Vol. 8, pp.480-485.
ISSCR International Society for Stem Cell Research, (2008), Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies
www.isscr.org
Human Cell
Question of Ethics for Stem Cell Research
Picture retrieved by Rita Hendrix from: http://stemcell2u.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/stem-cell-diagram-nih.jpg
Draft for Research Paper Question of Ethics for Stem Cell Research
Running Head: CONTROVERSY IN STEM CELL RESEARCH
Question of Ethics for Stem Cell Research
Rita Hendrix
DeVry University
ENGL1350_A Bacon_Advanced Composition
Spring B 2010
Life is a precious gift. Scientists work every day searching for breakthroughs to not only preserve this precious gift, but also to find ways to make the quality of life the best it can be. Some methods of research involve studies and procedures that carry tremendous controversy. In recent decades scientists have discovered through research in animals when there are diseased or damaged cells in the body, they can be replaced with healthy cells to repair the damage. They have also discovered the human body responds in the same manner as animal life. While there are debates that arise concerning studies being performed on animal life, it dims in comparison to the controversy that is widespread for viewing similar processes for human life. Finding healthy cells to replace damaged cells in some instances is as simple as introducing healthy cells from the same life form into a damaged area of the body. An example of this is using healthy cells from one part of the heart and transplanting them in a damaged area. Cells normally reproduce at an astounding rate which could allow healing to occur. However, the procedure of using autonomous stem cells isn’t always feasible. Researchers have also discovered the potential to use human embryonic stem cells. The controversy comes into play with this procedure, retrieval of embryonic stem cells result in the demise of the embryo. Is it ethical to destroy a potential life to preserve an existing life? This is the question that is provoking an enormous amount of controversy. As presented by Green (2007), “There is also the matter of respect for the moral sensitivities of our fellow citizens, whether we share their views or not.” The value placed on life is at stake, while being caught up in a controversial issue debating the techniques required to maintain quality for existing lives.
The human body is comprised of billions and billions of cells. These cells regenerate making new cells constantly until they are damaged by disease, injury, etc. When cells are damaged the body does not function as it would with healthy cells. The International Society for Stem Cell Research defines stem cells by two properties. The first are the cells that originate from the same body, these are known as adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are cells that are able to renew themselves. There is very little public debate concerning the use of adult stem cells. Transplantation of adult stem cells takes place in the same body the donor and the recipient are one in the same. The use of adult stem cells is limited; the same type of cell must be used for a specific part of the body, skin cells for skin cell repair, muscle for muscle repair, etc. Adult stem cells have not been identified to successfully be transplanted for instance in a patient with diabetes, the disease is systemic and the cells have already mutated and a transplant would not be possible. Transplant of this type would be entering damaged cells to mutated cells and rejuvenation could not occur. Research in this area has been slow related to the limitation of use for self cell replacement being restricted in most instances. In November, 2009 it was reported by the Science Daily,
“The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk (p. 86).”
While progress in the use of adult stem is being made, it is extremely slow and in the meantime human suffering is continuing, death is ultimately occurring in some instances. Adult stem cells have gone through the processes of dividing numbers of times, their viability is therefore limited for further division to continue for any length of time.
The second stem cell property defined by the International Society for Stem Cell Research is embryonic stem cells. These are the cells which exist in the beginning of development. They are cells that have not matured to a specific cell type and can be used interchangeably. The use for embryonic stem cells can be for any area of the body, they will take on the characteristics of the cells where they are transplanted. Bigoney (2009 p 25) states,
‘in contrast, embryonic stem cells, isolated from a human embryo, often replicate indefinitely, creating what is referred to as a ‘cell line’.” It might stand to reason since embryonic stem cells are so versatile they should be used rather than being limited to the specifics of the adult stem cell. If it were only so simple, there is an enormous amount of controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. The retrieval of embryonic stem cells results in the demise of the embryo, thus presenting an enormous ethical issue.
The ethical issues of stem cell research are far and wide, the issues are concerns for researchers, politicians and the general public of not only the United States but people around the world. Both groups those in favor and those against stem cell research present strong defenses for their views on the subject.
The subject of stem cell research in itself is not so much the issue. It is the sources of the stem cells that become the ethical issue. The Catholic Church is one of the largest groups in opposition to stem cell research. Scientists have found through animal study that embryonic stem cells are the most versatile, this has been established. They also know that the same principles could be applied with human cells. The issue would be mute if the embryos were not destroyed through the process of retrieving viable cells. Ford (2008 p.39) stated, “References to human life in the womb throughout the Bible give ample evidence that God is providently involved in the formation of human beings from conception.” It stands to reason that the Catholic Church would not be a supporter of a procedure that, while may benefit another human being, results in the demise of an embryo. The Church took the stand that abortion, even in the first trimester was against their teachings. The Church teaches that the cells from the moment of conception are the product for a new human life (Ford, 2008). A discussion could be presented that if the cells which have joined together and begun to grow are not differentiated, how can it be offered that retrieving these cells can be viewed as taking the life of an embryo? The cells at the early point have not evolved into the distinguishing cell characteristics that constitute a human life form.
This is just a sampling of the issues surrounding stem cell research. While the result of embryonic stem cell retrieval at this point in research is subject to the demise of the embryo, both sides of the controversy agree that methods to obtain embryonic stem cells should continue to be investigated. Ford (2008, p.44) reports, “It is imperative that Catholic healthcare facilities find alternative cell therapies by seeking to obtain suitable stem cells similar to human ESC (embryonic stem cells), but not derived from human embryos.” Thus far, there have not been any means to obtain embryonic stem cells from any source other than embryos. Stem cells can be retrieved from other sources, but those cells are differentiated and do not have the versatility of the ESC.
These are but a few of the issues that are being battled in the controversy concerning stem cell research. There are also legal issues involving consent, free will, and the benefits that could be available to people living with debilitating diseases or paralyzing injuries. Life is an ever changing experience. People can display strong convictions opposing issues such as stem cell research. They can argue with strong passion that it is wrong to take the cells from an embryo and use them in another human being. These belief’s can be changed in an instant when a family member becomes critically ill and the family is faced with a decision of preserving quality life for a loved one.
References
Bigoney, R. and Spencer, E., (2009) Medical Ethics: Issues of Life and Death, Pharmaceutical
Representative, CMR Institute, p. 24-27.
Ford, N. (2008). Symposium: Religion in assisted reproduction A Catholic ethical approach to human
reproductive technology. Ethics, Bioscience and Life, Vol. 3, November 2008, 39-48.
Green, R., (2007). Can we develop ethically universal embryonic stem-cell lines?. Nature Publishing
Group, June 2007, Vol. 8, pp.480-485.
ISSCR International Society for Stem Cell Research, (2008), Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies
www.isscr.org
Stem Cell Research
Human Cell