Stem Cells What Are Stem Cells Cells able

Stem Cells

What Are Stem Cells? • Cells able to develop into nearly any other type of cell. – Adult stem cells found in skin, gut, blood – Embryonic stem cells found in very early development of embryo (when it has about 100 cells) – Embryonic germ cells originate in reproductive cells of fetus.

Sources for Stem Cells • From adults – Least controversial but perhaps least promising. Fetal germ cells following abortion • Embryos created by IVF (in excess); no longer needed by couple • Embryos created by IVF for purpose of research • Embryos created asexually by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning-for-research.

Factual Issues • How much promise to prevent and cure disease does stem cell research have? • Would cells derived from adults work just as well as those from embryos? • Are there enough stem cell lines already created or do we need more for research? • Would using otherwise discarded fetuses provide an incentive for abortion? • Can adequate research proceed without federal funding?

Ethical Issues • What is the moral status of a human (pre-) embryo? • Does it make a moral difference whether created for purpose of research? • Does it make a moral difference if embryo would otherwise be discarded? • What should public policy be in an area full of moral and religious controversy?

Embryonic Stem Cell Research: To Fund or Not to Fund? • Do not fund (prohibit? ) use of any stem cells even if already created (because implicated in killing embryo) • Fund use of embryonic stem cell lines that have already been created. (No funding for the creation in future. ) • Fund creation of stem cell lines but only from embryos already in storage and otherwise discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from future embryos/fetuses if they would otherwise be discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from any embryo, including those created for this purpose (perhaps through cloning)

Pres. Bush’s Decision • Do not fund (prohibit? ) use of any stem cells even if already created (because implicated in killing embryo) • Fund use of embryonic stem cell lines that have already been created. (No funding for the creation in future. ) • Fund creation of stem cell lines but only from embryos already in storage and otherwise discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from future embryos/fetuses if they would otherwise be discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from any embryo, including those created for this purpose (perhaps through cloning)

NBAC • Do not fund (prohibit? ) use of any stem cells even if already created (because implicated in killing embryo) • Fund use of embryonic stem cell lines that have already been created. (No funding for the creation in future. ) • Fund creation of stem cell lines but only from embryos already in storage and otherwise discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from future embryos/fetuses if they would otherwise be discarded. • Fund creation of stem cell lines from any embryo, including those created for this purpose (perhaps through cloning)

NBAC • Adult cells should not be considered an adequate alternative to embryonic • Embryos deserve “respect” but “scientific and clinical benefits of stem cell research should not be foregone. ” • “Development of public policy in a morally contested area is not a novel challenge for a pluralistic democracy [as in U. S. ]”

Use of Aborted Fetuses • OK to fund derivation and use of stem cells from aborted fetuses. • Must separate the decision to abort from the decision to donate • Can this really be done if women know that aborted fetuses are used? • But would it really influence a decision whether or not to abort?

Use of “Excess” Embryos • OK to fund use of embryos remaining after fertility treatment • The ban on federal funding of embryo research should be lifted: “conflcits with several of the ethical goals of medicine…especially healing, prevention, and research. • Objection (accepted by Pres. Bush): OK to fund use of already created stem cell lines but not their creation. • Research interests dictate against this separation.

Use of “Excess” Embryos • Must separate couple’s decision to discard embryo (rather than use or donate to another couple) from decision to donate. • Couple cannot direct to whom stem cells will go (to deny an incentive)

Embryos Created for Research • No funding for embryos specifically created for research “at this time” • No funding for cloning-for-research, embryos made from somatic cell nuclear transfer into oocytes • If later approved, ban on designated recipient will have to be changed (since likely to be self)

Still Pending • NBAC mainly discussed federal funding • Congress during Bush years was considering a ban on all cloning, both for reproduction and for research. • Kass initially favored allowing cloning for research but changed his mind • Could the two be adequately separated? What if “research embryo” implanted?

New Obama Policy • March 2009: President Obama issued executive order lifting ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research • Congress still needs to act if it wishes to change Dickey-Wicker amendment in spending bill which seems to prohibit federal funding through Sept. 2009