“The Scientific Process Of Experimentation, Repetition, Discussion, Review, And Approval Is A Notoriously Slow One—And In The Case Of Promising New Medical Therapies With The Potential To Ease Great Suffering
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Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 1
Life Now, Or Life Later? : The Promise of Stem Cells
By
Douglas Affeldt
Shannon Jodoin
Allen MacDonald
Ashley Smith
WRA 110, Sec. 4
Michigan State University
April 12th 2007
Word Count: 2,896 Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 2
Life Now, Or Life Later?: The Promise of Stem Cells
The scientific process of experimentation, repetition, discussion,
review, and approval is a notoriously slow one—and in the case of
promising new medical therapies with the potential to ease great
suffering, this process can be and often is a frustrating one,
particularly when it is coupled with questions of morality, religion,
politics, and community standards. (Shoemaker 104)
The process of which Leigh Shoemaker, who holds masters in philosophy and information science, speaks is that of stem cell research. It is a process engulfed in controversy, for there is no clear answer of how to proceed. Many promises have been made by scientists about the use of stem cells as medical treatments, yet limited tangible results have been produced. However, as
Shoemaker goes on to point out, “important work is being done—regardless of whether current generations will benefit from its conclusions —and this work must be both encouraged and allowed to continue. And that is the promise of stem cells kept” (104).
Despite ethical arguments against moving forward with human embryonic stem cell research, the potential for the improvement of human life and society is much too great to be overlooked. Researchers have procured embryonic stem cells for research that may produce cures for diseases. The use of these embryonic stem cells, as well as non-controversial alternatives such as adult and Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 3
umbilical cord blood stem cells, must be explored for the betterment of all mankind.
The debate surrounding stem cell research is no secret, yet many are unclear how the debate came to light. Human embryonic stem cells were first researched in 1998, by John Gearhart of Johns Hopkins University, who was searching for a better way to understand Down’s syndrome (Easterbrook par. 1).
That same year, James Thompson of the University of Wisconsin performed similar experiments; both men were able to separate stem cells from human embryos and induce the embryos to multiply (par. 2-3). Little did these men know at the time, but their actions would throw the nation into political havoc, deeply dividing the country based on interpretations of one of America’s inalienable rights: the right to life.
Human embryonic stem cells are derived in two ways: the first is through the destruction of donated in-vitro fertilization embryos-- the process generates
excess embryos which would
otherwise be discarded (Ryan
297). These embryos are
classified as being in the
blastocyst phase (See Fig. 1.),
being four or five days old, and
Fig. 1. Deriving Stem Cells. 2003. From contain an inner cell mass which Science In Africa. 4 April 2007
(“Stem Cell Basics” sec. 3). Embryonic stem cells can also be derived from primordial germ cells (pre-gametes) found in fetuses which are generally obtained through abortions. To maximize compatibility of stem cell treatments, human embryonic stem cells can be tailored through the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (See Fig. 2.). This is a process in which the nucleus of an egg cell is replaced with the nucleus of a would-be patient’s cell, thus creating cells compatible with the patient’s DNA. It is these processes which are at the heart of the research debate, for it is through the destruction of an egg or an embryo that scientists are able to harvest potential treatments for the living. This view is eloquently described by Michael Novak, alluding to philosopher
Immanuel Kant -- Fig. 2. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. From National Institutes of Health. 4 April 2007
(par. 5).
The possibilities of the stem cell research are undeniable, yet what the process entails is slightly more complex. According to the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), human embryonic stem cells are characterized by their “remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body” (“Stem Cell Basics” sec.1). In addition to this significant factor, embryonic stem cells have the ability to replicate exponentially (“Stem Cell Basics” sec.1). It is these defining Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 5 properties which have spurred so much hope among citizens—it appears stem cells may be the miracle treatment which can cure the ailing and heal their loved ones. Dr. Kenneth J. Ryan describes the possibilities: “In addition to potentially treating a range of diseases, the application of stem cells could also reduce the need for organ transplants and, when stem cells are created using somatic cell nuclear transfer, treating patients with stem cells eliminates the need for a lifetime regimen of immunosuppressants,” or drugs that prevent the body’s immune system from activation (292).
The controversy of embryonic stem cells has engulfed Washington, D.C.
— politicians’ stance on this issue does not necessarily have any correlation with individual or parties’ traditional values. In 2001, President George W. Bush announced he supports government funding only for existing stem cell lines, where the “life and death decision has already been made” (Berger par. 1). This decision had debilitating effects on embryonic stem cell research; with limited functional stem cell lines in existence and no government funding to come, many scientists relocated to Britain, where stem cell research has been approved
(Henderson and Kay 75). The alternative to relocation has been to seek funding in the private sector. Some organizations which have supported stem cell research privately include large corporations involved in biotechnological research, various universities around the country, and non-profit establishments whose sole purpose is to provide funding, such as the Stem Cell Research
Foundation (Donohue par. 6; “About SCRF” par. 3). Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 6
Still, there are those that feel embryonic stem cell research should not be allowed to proceed. There is essentially one reason why certain groups and individuals feel that allowing embryonic stem cell research to continue should not occur, which is ethics. The most common issue that society has with embryonic stem cell research is that it involves the destruction of a live embryo or an egg cell which has the potential to foster life. People are not against embryonic stem cell research because they do not want to see diseases cured. Cardinal Egan of the Catholic Church argues, “We are 100 percent in favor of any medical research that doesn't jeopardize the life of an innocent human being” (Parry par.
8). One thousand Catholics stood behind Cardinal Egan as he spoke out against embryonic stem cell research (par. 2).
The main argument that the opposition has to embryonic stem cell research is that it is morally unacceptable, yet this position is taken to varying degrees. John Donohue, an associate editor for America, believes that
“[Biologists] might not agree on the definition of life, but they would agree that if this embryo were to nest in a womb, it would normally grow into a baby ready for birth” (par. 4). This is where the thin line is drawn-- the definition of life. The whole argument of embryonic stem cell research revolves around this idea. In
“The Stem Cell Debate” written by Donna Walter, law professor Sandra Johnson is paraphrased. According to Johnson, the period at which it is generally agreed embryos obtain some level of intrinsic value is somewhere between conception and birth (par. 37). Whether or not one opposes human embryonic stem cell research directly correlates to the subjective point at which one believes this Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 7 intrinsic life value begins. It is the right of all people to have their own set of values. Therefore, no matter how advanced embryonic stem cell research gets, there will still be critics.
The debate over stem cell research is not a simple question of whether or not one is pro-life. Although many arguments against stem cell research overlap with those of the abortion debate, many reason that allowing research on fetuses produced through abortion would encourage more abortions to take place (Ryan
297). This logic is refuted by researchers who claim “the embryonic research will not increase abortions, but will provide scientists with a greater understanding of various diseases,” such as Parkinson’s disease (“NIH” par.7).
Considering this, some who identify with conservative values can still see the potential benefits of embryonic stem cells. One such person is Republican
Senator Orrin Hatch, who is outspoken against abortion, yet feels “life starts in the womb, ‘not in a petri dish’” (Donohue par. 1). This logic exhibits that the ideals of stem cell research do nearly parallel the ideals of abortion, yet there is one distinct difference. The abortion debate considers the mother’s rights in relation to her fetus, while the stem cell debate takes into account the rights and status of the undeveloped fetus alone (Ryan 297). Thus, even if one’s ideals are against abortion, one can still recognize and favor the benefits of stem cell research.
However, just because some are against embryonic stem cell research, does not mean they are against stem cell research altogether. Many who oppose the destruction of embryos completely stand behind adult stem cell Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 8 research, which reveals the lack of ethical boundaries in the use of adult stem cells. This alternative to embryonic stem cells is productive, as noted by
Donohue, “research on adult stem cells has produced some therapeutic experiments that do work” (par. 7). Increased research on adult stem cells has occurred and produced results; the New England Journal of Medicine “reported a study that found that adult stem cells from patients’ own bone marrow has improved those patients’ cardiac function after a heart attack” (par. 7). If scientists can find cures through adult stem cells, albeit possibly a more difficult path, those against embryonic stem cells wonder why the moral obstacles cannot be avoided altogether?
These positive results from alternative forms of stem cell research may be due to the restraints on embryonic stem cell research. In order to avoid the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research, scientists seem to be deliberately taking less productive approaches, working with the more difficult and less malleable adult and cord blood stem cells. Massive amounts of time and money are being spent to find alternatives that will offer lesser, or at most the same, benefits as embryonic stem cells (Shoemaker 102). Adult stem cells are found in the human body and are extracted from many different organs, such as the heart, the brain, and the lungs (“Stem Cell Basics” sec. 4). Scientists point out that the main problem with adult stem cells is that they are limited to certain tissues in their transforming capabilities, while embryonic stem cells can transform into any tissue. Because of this, adult stem cells cannot produce as many different cell types as embryonic stem cells (Weiss 2). Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 9
In addition to their work on adult stem cells, scientists have reached positive results using umbilical cord stem cells. Doctors take the blood after the birth of the child and send it to a blood bank to be frozen for future use
(“Collecting” sec. 5). These stem cells are able to transform themselves into a variety of different cell types in the body and do not cause any harm to the donor mother or child. Keone Penn, a sufferer of sickle cell anemia, was injected with donated stem cells from umbilical cord blood (Marin 80). Despite the uncertainty surrounding the experimental treatment, the young Penn saw results which gave him the opportunity to live a longer, more fulfilling life, such as playing basketball like his peers (81). Penn, however, is not cured of all ailments; “he has arthritis, walks with a limp, and will need joint replacement in his hips and knee,” all of which are the result of his umbilical cord stem cell transplant (81). Thus, at first umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells appear to be decent replacements for human embryonic stem cells, but it seems a lot of time and money is being fruitlessly invested to get them to work as quickly and as well as their embryonic counterparts.
Much of the moral argument against human embryonic stem cell research involves aversion to the thought of harming one human being to benefit another.
However, distaste for this prospect must not prevent scientific progress. Not all people consider these embryos to have a human status at this point in their development. The embryos which scientists research on are “no larger than the dot at the end of this sentence” (Donohue par. 3). Although these cells have the ability to grow into a human form, in the state that they are extracted there exists Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 10 no thought, no feeling, and no ability to continue existence independently. Also, as Ryan eloquently states, “We never have and are unlikely ever to grant full citizenship and personhood to the fertilized egg or contingent life before viability”
(298). Some will still consider this cell cluster human and continue to oppose stem cell research. Yet, if there exist embryos which will be destroyed, should the inevitable destruction of these embryos not be used for some good?
Creating an embryo simply for research is hard for many with strong moral backgrounds to justify, yet it is hard to argue with the point, “embryos that are no longer needed and would otherwise be discarded could be used for research to advance knowledge in reproduction and benefit humankind generally” (297).
Opposition to this argument—believing one should not gain from another’s loss— would thus have to include all related procedures, such as the widely-accepted practice of posthumous organ donation.
There are many diseases that may be treated or even cured by researching embryonic stem cells. These include “Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injury, and metabolic disease in young children” (292). For example, those who have Parkinson’s disease do not develop enough dopamine, which “is a chemical that provides coordinated movement of the muscles” (Kim J.H. et al). According to an article in the The
National Library of Medicine, Parkinson’s disease could be treated by developing embryonic stem cells into dopamine neurons, and adequate dopamine levels would allow the patient’s symptoms to subside (Kim J.H. et al). Thus, embryonic stem cell research is critical for making advances in fighting degenerative Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 11 diseases like Parkinson’s (Kinsley 1). As the head of the NIH, Harold Varmus, said, “this research has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine”
(Easterbrook par. 6).
In recent procedures involving the medicinal use of embryonic stem cells, scientists have shown evidence that although this research has not been guaranteed in humans; the results from animal tests have shown great potential.
For example, research involving the use of adult mice is attempting to develop procedures that use one’s own cells to treat degenerative diseases (Dunham par.1). Even when the treatment cells have low compatibility, the results of research are still very promising. In July, 2001, scientists released a tape which shows paralyzed mice “once again able to move their limbs, bear their own weight, and even move around after injections of human embryonic stem cells in their spinal cords” (Henderson and Kay 74).
In addition to these results, Dr. John McDonald, director of the spinal cord injury unit at Washington University School of Medicine, conducted an experiment with hopes to find a cure for one of his paralyzed patients which would enable him to walk again. “McDonald gave rats a similar injury [to his patient], then injected some with stem cells” (Cohen 1). After a period of six weeks, scientists analyzed the results of the treatment. They discovered the rats’ legs were able to function once again. Christopher Reeve (See Fig. 3),
McDonald’s paralyzed patient, said of the results, "Never before has there been such a powerful tool, such a resource that can give so much hope. And to have it just sitting here right in front of us, ready to go while all this debate rages on, is Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 12 really, really frustrating” (1). Many patients like Reeve did not have the time for scientists to find an alternative to embryonic stem cell research, and thus research on embryonic stem cells should no longer be held back. The experiments with embryonic stem cells show possibilities of being very Fig. 3. Christopher Reeve. From beneficial for mammals and could in turn “In Pictures: Christopher Reeve.” BBC News. 11 October 2004. 4 April 2007.
(Barinaga 93). According to Björklund, this research is “proof of principle that cell replacement actually works” (93). These fetal grafts are extremely rare, which leads to little hope of developing widespread treatments for similar diseases (95).
Applying these techniques using embryonic stem cells, however, could establish medical breakthroughs for many debilitating conditions (96). In addition to this hope of further developing the technology there is an exhibition of success in those who received the grafts. Bjorklund’s patients experienced “up to a 50 percent reduction in their symptoms” (95). Thus, this research demonstrates the Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 13 benefits which humanity could reap if stem cells were to be extensively applied as medical treatments.
Though embryonic stem cell research has its critics, in order to improve the well-being of society, it is necessary to look beyond the ethical standards of a few, to benefit all. These medical advancements are moving forward despite the obstacles set by the opposition; this has happened numerous times in the past, and in time has proven to be beneficial to mankind. Thus, it is difficult to uphold concerns against moving forward with the technology when such a promising future lies ahead. If the rewards of this technology are certain to be unlocked in the future, then should the American people not be supporting the research now? Affeldt, Jodoin, MacDonald, Smith 14
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