Stem Cell Research What are the Ethical Implications? By Oakley Haight

Stem Cells: What Are They? Cells that are unspecialized and can divide throughout life They can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die

What does this mean? Stem cells can renew themselves and create new cells of other tissues...Therefore, theoretically, new body parts can be grown with Stem Cells.

What’s the Controversy? The issue arises out of the recent ability to use human embryonic stem cells to grow cells... When this happens, the human embryo is destroyed.

Opponents “[Stem Cell Research] supports the taking of innocent human life of the hope of finding medical benefits for others.” (President Bush 2006) Pro-life supporters feel this is equivalent to murder “...using federal funding to perform stem cell research on human embryos is wrong and immoral.” – Mike Bishop (WRAL 2009)

Proponents In the nature, many eggs are fertilized but not implanted During in vitro fertilization more embryos are created than are needed Scientists and organizations representing those with Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and others feel the benefits outweigh the negatives

Stem Cell Research Brief Timeline 1998 Researchers derive stem cells from human embryos 2000 NIH* Guidelines issued for funding 2001 NIH funding put on hold 2004/2005 NJ/CA authorize research funding Mid-2001 over 110,000 frozen, stored surplus embryos 8/23/10 Federal Judge blocked NIH’s research funding 9/22/10 First clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells start 9/23/10 Injunction against funding lifted temporarily *National Institute of Health

What Good Can Come From This? Clinical trials underway for restoration of spinal cord functions Paperwork filed to test retinal cells to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy Clinicaltrial.gov lists many more benefits, including knee replacements and severe brain conditions.

Where do we go from here? If research is to continue, funding that research is imperative Legislation will have to change the policy Private research or research in other countries will occur and we will slowly follow

Bibliography “AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research.” American Association for the Advancement of Science. 1 Nov "Bush ‘out of touch’ on Stem Cells." BBC News: Web. 31 Oct “Definition of Stem Cell.” Web. 31 Oct “Illustration by Edmond Alexander.” Heart Healthy Online. Web. 1 Nov Stem Cell Basics: Introduction. In Stem Cell Information. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited Monday, November 01, 2010] Available at “Stem Cell Research: All Viewpoints.” Religious Tolerance, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Web. 1 Nov “Studies including stem cell trials.” Web. 1 Nov “Supporters Welcome Federal Back of Stem Cell Research.” WRAL: Oct