Synaptic

Michaela wrote this for our Intersections class: The Intersection of Science and Society. Students had to write a research paper on a science topic of their choosing but not just focus in the technical aspects but instead delve into the impact it has on our society. I chose Michaela’s paper because I thought she took an original and insightful approach to the controversial topic of the embryonic stem cell.

-Paulina Mena

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In the field of biological sciences controversy is quite common, but the use of embryonic stem cells in research proves to be one of the most controversial topics of the decade. Despite the debate, new discoveries on stem cells are made every day. Although embryonic stem cell research can be polemic, the benefits gained from this research undoubtedly outweigh the ethical and religious concerns.

There are two main types of embryonic stem cells: an embryonic stem cell and a somatic stem cell. A somatic stem cell is derived from an adult, whereas an embryonic stem cell is typically a three to five day old cell that is derived from a human embryo. Both types are capable of dividing and replicating. Embryonic stem cells, however, are unique because of their ability to differentiate into any specialized cell in the body. They can be specialized as muscle cells, bone cells, and even cartilage (Bethesda). Scientists are currently working on ways to regenerate certain cells in the human body using stem cells to cure diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.

Without the use of stem cell research fifteen year old Paizley Carwell-Bowen’s life would have never changed for the better. Paizley lived with sickle-cell disease her whole life. This is a blood disorder where red blood cells are not round but rather rigid and flat. As a result, the red blood cells are not able to deliver oxygen efficiently to all the tissues. People living with sickle cell disease usually have severe impairment and live shorter lives. The disease caused her to suffer from strokes and internal pain in various organs such as the brain and lungs, due to the lack of oxygen. At age six she had a severe stroke that left her left leg paralyzed. Her doctors told her parents it was likely she would not live to be eighteen (Lenzer).

Like many others living with sickle-cell disease, Paizley’s treatment consisted of blood transfusions in order to distribute normal blood cells throughout the body. Unfortunately, after a few years her body began to destroy the normal blood cells being transfused into her blood. The doctors suggested a stem cell transplant into the bone marrow and chemotherapy to destroy the bone marrow cells that produced the sickle cell. Four years later it was safe to say Paizley’s life had changed. The blood flowing her body was one hundred percent healthy. She no longer had the sickle-cell disease. Paizley can live a full and pain free life because of stem cell therapy (Lenzer). Without stem cell research Paizley’s miracle recovery would not have been possible.

Similarly to Paizley, an Australian rugby player’s life was drastically changed with the use of stem cells. One day this man’s life changed forever; he was severely paralyzed from a tragic rugby accident. Before the treatment he could not move from the neck down and could not even breathe without the help of a ventilator. After the treatment the rugby player could function fully without a ventilator, for a maximum of twelve hours. He also had some movement in his arms, hands, neck, and shoulders. His sitting balance improved significantly. His deep sensation was increased up to the abdomen (Shroff). Overall, the Australian rugby player’s life improved dramatically. He could feel a sense of independence and hope for the first time in years. Without stem cell therapy his recovery would not have been possible. Stem cell research still has a long way to go, but this proves it has great potential to significantly improve millions of lives.

With all of these possible advancements in medicine it can be hard to see why some want to stop this research. However, the issue comes from the fact that these embryonic cells are three to five day old fertilized eggs (Bethesda). These cells are the early stages of a blastocyst, which is a cluster of cells capable for the creation of a human being (Ruiz-Canela). To some these embryonic cells are considered human beings. However, an embryo is not officially considered a potential organism until it is 14 days old and the embryonic stem cell is typically cultured around day three or five (Bethesda).

For some the problem lies with the fact that the embryo is not yet an organism. In other words, the embryo is “defenseless and unprotected.” The fact that the embryo cannot defend itself is problematic. Without a voice it cannot determine its fate (Ruiz-Canela). At the same time an embryo is unaware of its own ability to improve lives and therefore, is unable to speak on behalf of those suffering from various debilitating and incurable diseases.

Some argue that embryonic stem cell research destroys lives because these cells will do develop into an organism. However, one can counter-argue that the female body also destroys lives. Bobrow brings up a good point. Women produce and shed eggs once a month. If these eggs were donated to science, they could be used for research. The unfertilized eggs have no other use (Bobrow). Instead of serving no purpose in life, these eggs could be used to change the lives of others through new developments in stem cell research.

The same irony occurs at fertility clinics across the world. The main overlying reason people disagree with embryonic stem cell research is because they believe the research destroys embryos, yet infertility clinics discard thousands of embryos every year merely because they are no longer needed (“Stem-cell Research”). These clinics are not commonly criticized or controversial for destroying embryos the way stem research is. If these embryos are already created, they might as well be donated to science rather than destroyed. As Christopher Reeves put it, “Is it more ethical for a woman to donate unused embryos that will never become human beings, or to let them be tossed away as so much garbage when they could help save thousands of lives?” It should be a woman’s choice to have her embryos donated to scientific research.

Other people disagree with stem cell research because there is a connection to the potential cloning of humans. Therapeutic cloning does occur during stem cell research. However, this is by no means the same as reproductive cloning. Reproductive cloning, as in creating an exact genetic copy of another individual is an ethical issue, but in order for it to achieve this an embryo would have to be placed back inside the womb for the complete development. Scientists working with embryonic research are not involved with reproductive cloning. Embryonic stem cells are not being used for this purpose. Instead scientists are working to find ways to differentiate these cells in ways that they can find cures for diseases that are currently affecting millions of people around the world (Waite).

Some would argue that society is “founded on an imperative- the need to preserve and maintain life” (Waite). But what about the need to preserve a happy life? With stem cell research lives can be more than preserved, lives are saved and lives are improved. Every single day scientists are working on cures for diverse kinds of diseases. Chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s cause many people to suffer everyday of their lives (Bestha). How is it ethical to let the people living with these diseases suffer every day of their lives?

Right now is a crucial time for stem cell research as President Obama has repealed President Bush’s federal restrictions on the funding for stem cell research. Since then researchers have been working hard to discover the possibilities these stem cells contribute to science. Federal funding is crucial for the progression of stem cell research due to the nature of private investors. These tend to not consider stem cell research a viable investment because it would take too long for them to receive any returns. Therefore, the weight falls solely on the shoulders of the government. Consequently, it becomes extremely vital for the government to understand the positive effects of this research (Robertson).

According to “Facts and Myths – American Transplant Foundation” there are currently over 123,000 people on the waiting list for organ transplants for organs needed in order to survive in the United States alone. Every twelve minutes another person is added to the list. Even more shockingly, an average of twenty-one people die each day due to the unavailability of organs (“Facts and Myths”). Imagine a world where organs could be readily available for anyone who needs one. If embryonic stem cells research is allowed to continue without hindrance, one day scientists will be able to regenerate organs from these cells. Currently, scientists are testing different ways to differentiate stem cells into specialized cells. This is a complex process but once scientists find a way to send the correct signals to produce specific cells, the possibilities are endless. A world where human bodies can regenerate themselves. Although this is a long way down the road, it is worth the time and effort and would completely change the medical field (Bethesda) and it starts with allowing the current research to further advance. Many professionals dream of “off the shelf organs”, where stem cells will be the answer to the organ shortage (Darr).

The controversy of stem cell research may even be resolved by supporting it. This may not sound possible, but it was proven by a Japanese scientist, Shinya Yamanaka. Scientists are currently working on different ways to produce regenerating cells without the use of stem cells. Yamanaka found a way to regenerate cells by using skin cells. This discovery would have not been possible without the support and funding of embryonic stem cell research. Controversy over embryonic stem cell research will always exist. However, the more time and funding put into the research the more efficient the research will become, and maybe one day in the future the use of human embryos will no longer be needed (Mahley).

Many studies are making advances toward finding cures already. At UCLA researchers discovered the genome map of embryonic stem cells. This is the first step to finding cures. “If we can understand the function of 5hmC, that will lead to greater understanding of how genes are turned on and off and that could lead to the development of methods for controlling gene regulation,” Jacobsen stated (University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences).”

In Thomsen’s study recent discoveries were made for ALS disease. Pre-clinical animal trials proved that these new discoveries are safe for humans. It is only a matter of time before new stem cell therapies are tested on patients. In the animal model study the results showed the potential of stem cells slowing down the breakdown of motor neurons. This would lengthen the lives of ALS patients (Thomsen).

In a study conducted by Kim Seung, Hong Lee, and Yun Kim embryonic stem cell research was used to find different ways of regenerating nerve cells. The common factor between the various diseases was the degeneration of neurological cells. The research for each of these diseases go hand-in-hand. The study claims that neurological cells can be regenerated with the use of the patient’s own fibroblasts. This discovery is a major stepping stone on the path to a cure for these diseases (Seung, Lee, & Kim).

Christopher Reeves once again could not have said it better, “Countless amounts of research have already been done to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. Stem cells have potential to solve many questions in the medical, we just have to know the research will be worth it in the end. If we can change our view on what stem cells can do for our society it opens up a whole new aspect of science… Now, 56 years ago, FDR dedicated new buildings for the National Institutes of Health. He said that ‘The defense this nation seeks involves a great deal more than building airplanes, ships, guns and bombs. We cannot be a strong nation unless we are a healthy nation.’ He could have said that today. President Roosevelt showed us that a man who could barely lift himself out of a wheelchair could still lift this nation out of despair… We are on our way to helping millions of people around the world, millions of people around the world like me, up and out of these wheelchairs.”

Researchers get closer to finding cures for various diseases every day. These diseases cause suffering to too many people to leave them feeling hopeless. Stem cell research has a potential to change people’s lives for the better. Many people look at embryonic stem cell research as a negative, but it is the first step in the direction to change medicine forever. If we as a society saw what embryonic stem cell research could do for us it would open up endless possibilities to improve the lives of people.

Works Cited

Bethesda, MD. “Stem Cell Basics.” What Are the Unique Properties of All Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015.

Bobrow, MD, James C. “The Ethics and Politics of Stem Cell Research.” Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 103 (2005): 138-42.

Daar, A.S., A. Bhatt, E. Court, and P.A. Singer. “Stem Cell Research and Transplantation: Science Leading Ethics.” Transplantation Proceedings 36.8 (2004): 2504-506.

“Facts and Myths – American Transplant Foundation.” American Transplant Foundation. American Transplant Foundation, 2015.

Kim, Seung U., Hong J. Lee, and Yun B. Kim. “Neural Stem Cell-based Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases.” Neuropathology 33 (2013): 491–504.

Lenzer, Jeanne. “The Super Cell” Discover. 30.10 (2009): 30-36.

Mahley, Robert W. “Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D. – 2012 Nobel Prize Laureate: How His Dream of a Research Career Provides Vision for the next Generation of Young Scientists.” Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi/The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology Anadolu Kardiyol Derg (2013): 204-06.

Reeve, Christopher. “Use the Body’s ‘Repair Kit.” Time. 155.18 (2000).

Robertson, John A. “Embryo Stem Cell Research: Ten Years of Controversy.” The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 38.2 (2010): 191-203.

Ruiz-Canela, Miguel. “Embryonic stem cell research: the relevance of ethics in the progress of science.” Department of Biomedical Humanities. Med Sci Monit. 8.5 (2002): 21-26.

Shroff, Geeta, and Rakesh, Gupta. “Human Embryonic Stem Cells in the Treatment of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury.” ANS Annals of Neurosciences. 22.4 (2015): 208-216.

“Stem-cell Research.” Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices. Eds. Roger Chapman and James Ciment. London:Routledge. Credo Reference, 2013.

Thomsen, Gretchen M., Gowing, Genevieve, Svendsen, Soshana and Svendsen, Clive N. “The past, present and future of stem cell clinical trials for ALS.” Experimental Neurology. 262 (2014): 127–137.

University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences. “Scientists complete first mapping of molecule found in human embryonic stem cells.” ScienceDaily, 21 July 2011.

Waite, Lee and Nindl, Gabi. “Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Ethical Controversy