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- The Science, Ethics, and Politics
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- The nature and promise of stem cell research
- The ethical and political debates
- Funding and regulation
- How can I become more involved?
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- Stem cells are the raw material from which all of the body’s
mature, differentiated cells are made. Stem cells give rise to
pancreatic cells, bone cells, brain cells, kidney cells, etc.
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- They have the potential to replace cell tissue that has been damaged=
or
destroyed by severe illnesses.
- They can replicate themselves over and over for a very long time.
- Understanding how stem cells develop into healthy and diseased cells
will assist the search for effective treatments and cures.
- Target illnesses: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, juvenile
diabetes, spinal cord injury, MS, ALS, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and =
many
others.
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- Researchers work mainly with embryonic and adult stem cells.
- Embryonic stem cells =
(also
called “pluripotent” cells) are capable of developing in=
to
all the cell types of the body.
- Adult stem cells, whi=
ch are
found in some body tissues, are less versatile, small in number, and
difficult to identify, isolate, and purify.
- Almost all scientists=
agree
that research should proceed on both embryonic and adult stem cells.=
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- Excess fertilized eggs from IVF (in-vitro fertilization) clinics
- Therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer)
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- In favor of ESCR:
- Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) fulfills the ethical obligation =
to
alleviate human suffering.
- Since excess IVF embryos will be discarded anyway, isn’t it be=
tter
that they be used in valuable research?
- SCNT (Therapeutic Cloning) produces cells in a petri dish, not a
pregnancy.
- Let’s regulate the research, not outlaw it.
- Against ESCR:
- In ESCR, stem cells are taken from a human blastocyst, which is then
destroyed. This amounts
to “murder.̶=
1;
- Slippery slope argument: ESCR will lead to reproductive cloning.
- There is a risk of
commercial exploitation of the human participants in ESCR.
- Will therapies resulting from the research be inexpensively availabl=
e to
everyone?
- Women will be exploited to obtain their eggs for the research.
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- The blastocyst used in stem cell research is microscopically small a=
nd
has no nervous system. Does
it count as a “person” who has a right to life?
- Ought we to distinguish between “human life” on the one
hand, and “personhood” on the other? Like an egg, sperm,
hair, or cheek cell, a human blastocyst is, in the strictly biologic=
al
sense, human (belongs to the human species) and alive (not dead). But does human life, in this
biological sense, amount to personhood?
- What do various religions say about when personhood begins? Does sci=
ence
have a view on this?
- In a society where citizens hold diverse religious views, how can we
democratically make humane public policy?
- More generally, how may a technologically complex society be
democratically governed?
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- State
- Federal
- International
- At all three levels of government, the future of stem cell research =
is
insecure. The research=
is
strongly supported by scientists and health care professionals, and =
very
much needed by patients.
- On the other hand those who oppose the research – embryonic st=
em
cell research especially – are highly motivated and determined=
to
legislate it out of existence.
- In the absence of federal support, many individual states are
considering funding stem cell research.
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- Federal funding is prohibited for research using cell lines developed
after Aug 9, 2001. Most scientists agree that the approx. 19 viable =
cell
lines, all grown on a “feeder” layer of mouse cells, are
inadequate.
- Despite bi-partisan support, efforts to regulate the research are
currently stalemated in Washington. However, prospects lo=
ok
good for the Senate version of H.R. 810 (Stem Cell Research Enhancem=
ent
Act). The anti-research
Weldon bill seems not to have sufficient support to pass.
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- Legislation supporting stem cell research has been passed in Califor=
nia,
New Jersey, Connecticut, and Illinois.
- A bond issue passed in November 2004, the “California Stem Cell
Research and Cures Initiative” will provide $3 billion for stem
cell research over 10 years.
However, the proposition is currently (2006) tied up in the c=
ourt
system, and the state legislature is considering restrictive
legislation.
- Many states are considering stem cell research legislation.
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- Embryonic Stem cell research is highly controversial not only in the
United States but worldwide.
- England, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, S.Korea are among the nati=
ons
that have passed pro-research legislation.
- In the fall of 2004, the General Assembly tabled a proposal for a global ban=
on
both therapeutic and reproductive cloning. But in 2005 the UN voted =
to
“prohibit all forms of human cloning.” The United States, influenc=
ed by
the religious right, strongly supported the ban. However, it was opposed by =
most
nations with active embryonic stem cell research programs. Some Latin American countri=
es in
which the Roman Catholic Church is powerful voted for the ban. But two of the largest R=
11;
Argentina and Brazil – did not. Many Islamic nations abstai=
ned.
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- Are adult cells just as useful for research as embryonic or cord cel=
ls?
- What discoveries have been made?
- Where on the path to cures are we?
- What are the biggest remaining barriers?
- Should government fund stem cell research?
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- BECOME INFORMED!
- Learn the facts about stem cell research and its curative potential.=
- Resources are plentiful, and include:
-
Student Society for Stem Cell Research
- www.ssscr.org
- Stem Cell Action Network
www.stemcellaction.org
- Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
- www.stemcellfunding.org
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- Give a presentation like this one to patient and other community gro=
ups.
- Organize a house party to help spread the word.
- Offer to help someone give this presentation.
- Encourage supporters to add their names to mailing lists of advocacy
organizations like:
-  =
;
Student Society for Stem Cell Research (SSSCR)
-  =
;
Stem Cell Action Network (SCAN)
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- Arrange to meet with political representatives and candidates to dis=
cuss
their support for stem cell research.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
- Find other like-minded people and work together. Invite friends, colleagues,
patients and patient caretakers to become involved.
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