STEM CELL RESEARCH

What You Need To Know

Outline of This Presentation

Stem cell research

The nature and promise of stem cell research The ethical debate
Funding and regulation How can I become an advocate?
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What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are the raw material from which all of the bodys mature, differentiated cells are made. Stem cells give rise to brain cells, nerve cells, heart cells, pancreatic cells, etc.

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Whats So Special About Stem Cells?

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 cures.

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Two Kinds of Stem Cells

Embryonic (also called pluripotent) stem cells are capable of developing into all the cell types of the body. Adult stem cells are less versatile and more difficult to identify, isolate, and purify.
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Embryonic Stem Cells:

Researchers extract stem cells from a 5-7 days old blastocyst. Stem cells can divide in culture to form more of their own kind, thereby creating a stem cell line.

The research aims to induce these cells to generate healthy tissue needed by patients.

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Two Sources of Embryonic Stem Cells

1. Excess fertilized eggs from IVF (in-vitro fertilization) clinics 2. Therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer)

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Tens of thousands of frozen embryos are routinely destroyed when couples finish their treatment.
These surplus embryos can be used to produce stem cells. Regenerative medical research aims to develop these cells into new, healthy tissue to heal severe illnesses.
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Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer The nucleus of a donated egg is removed and replaced with the nucleus of a mature, "somatic cell" (a skin cell, for example). No sperm is involved in this process, and no embryo is created to be implanted in a womans womb. The resulting stem cells can potentially develop into specialized cells that are useful for treating severe illnesses. SCAN Stem Cell Action Network

In favor of ESCR:

The Ethical Debate

Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) fulfills the ethical obligation to alleviate human suffering. Since excess IVF embryos will be discarded anyway, isnt it better that they be used in valuable research? SCNT (Therapeutic Cloning) produces cells in a petri dish, not a pregnancy.
Against ESCR:

In ESCR, stem cells are taken from a human blastocyst, which is then destroyed. This amounts to murder.

There is a risk of commercial exploitation of the human participants in ESCR.

Slippery slope argument: ESCR will lead to reproductive cloning. SCAN Stem Cell Action Network

Key Ethical Issues

The blastocyst used in stem cell research is microscopically small and has no nervous system. Does it count as a person who has a right to life? What do various religions say about when personhood begins? Does science have a view on this? In a society where citizens hold diverse religious views, how can we democratically make humane public policy?

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Funding and Regulation of Stem Cell Research

Federal State International At all three levels of government, the future of stem cell research is insecure. The research is strongly supported by scientists and very much needed by patients. On the other hand those who oppose the research are well-funded and determined to legislate it out of existence.

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Federal Legislation
Government funding is prohibited for research using cell lines developed after Aug 9, 2001. Efforts to regulate the research are currently stalemated in Washington.

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State Legislation
In 2003 there were 71 bills in 29 states Legislation supporting therapeutic cloning research has been passed in California and New Jersey. If it passes in November 2004, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative will provide $3 billion over 10 years.
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International Legislation
Embryonic Stem cell research is highly controversial not only in the United States but worldwide. In the past two years, many nations have begun to tolerate, if not to support, the research. In the fall of 2004, the United Nations will consider enacting a global ban on both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.

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Stem Cell Research Worldwide

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United Nations
In November 2003, a committee of the General Assembly defeated by only one vote a proposal to ban therapeutic cloning research. The United States delegation strongly supported this proposal.

In September 2004, the General Assembly will again consider the proposal to ban the research.
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What can I do?

BECOME INFORMED! Learn the facts about stem cell research and its curative potential. Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research www.stemcellfunding.org Stem Cell Action Network (Education Page) www.stemcellaction.org
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Inform Others
Contact patient and community groups and offer to give a presentation like this one. Organize a house party to help spread the word. Offer to help someone else give this presentation. Collect email addresses of supporters to be added to SCANs mailing list. SCAN will send out news bulletins and action alerts about pending legislation.
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Inform Others (contd)

Arrange to meet with your political representatives to discuss 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, and caretakers of patients to become involved.
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BE SEEN! BE HEARD! BE IMPATIENT!

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