Stem Cell Research

Introduction

The controversy over stem cell research is worldwide, and the question is whether we are we condoning solutions or murder? Throughout the world, the debate continues between finding cures for horrible diseases and stopping the research on ethical grounds. Stem cell research is new biotechnology and should have strict rules and regulations, to provide constant information that it is not going to lead to cloning. This research can provide cures for many diseases and help the paralyzed but the control needs to be overseen by the government.

The beginning of stem cell research. What is a stem cell?

The largest culprit of controversy is embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the source of all body tissue. They are the beginning of development of a fetus. As soon as the sperm cell enters the egg, the cells begin to multiply creating a zygote, or fertilized egg. According to Encarta Standard Encyclopedia Some scientists believe the zygote to be a stem cell but others think it must divide a few times first. According to a report by The National Institutes of Health, this is how embryonic stem cells are grown in a laboratory.

"Growing cells in the laboratory is known as cell culture.

Human embryonic stem cells are isolated by transferring

The inner cell mass into a plastic laboratory culture dish

that contains a nutrient broth known as culture medium.

The cells divide and spread over the surface of the dish.

The inner surface of the culture dish is typically coated

with mouse embryonic skin cells that have been treated

so they will not divide. This coating layer of cells is

called a feeder layer. The reason for having the mouse

cells in the bottom of the culture dish is to give the inner

cell mass cells a sticky surface to which they can attach.

Also, the feeder cells release nutrients into the culture

Medium. Recently, scientists have begun to devise ways

of growing embryonic stem cells without the mouse

feeder cells, because of the risk that viruses or other

macromolecules in the mouse cells may be transmitted

to the human embryonic cells."

Where do stem cells come from

There are three different types of stem cells: Totipotent, from a fertilized human egg, that can become an entire human being. Pluripotent, stem cells from a seven-day-old embryo or blastocyst, a cell that can develop into any body cell type but not a whole human being; And Multipotent; stem cell from adults, which can only become the same cell type. According to Standards 4 Life: "Embryonic stem cells: (Totipotent) harvested from the inner cell mass of the hollow blastocyst or early embryonic human being, seven to ten days after fertilization, about 200 cells. Fetal stem cells: (Totipotent) often taken from the germline tissues that will become the ovaries or testes of aborted fetuses. Their preferred methods are, umbilical cord stem cells (Pluripotent) taken from umbilical cord blood. Placenta derived stem cells (Pluripotent) more cells can be derived from placenta than cord blood. Adult stem cells (Pluripotent): tissues like bone marrow, lung, pancreas, and brain. There may be stem cells in each of the 210 different types of body tissue." (Standards 4 Life)

The way to get embryonic stem cells is from fertilization clinics using eggs and sperm cells that are donated for research with the potential parents consent. They are also retrieved from abortion clinics removing the eggs and sperm cells from aborted fetuses and umbilical cords.

In simpler terms, the sperm is injected into the egg in a special dish with a special solution that keeps the cells from differentiating into all the cells of the body. As soon as the sperm is injected into the egg, the cells start to divide very rapidly. As long as the cells do not get the information to tell them what cells to become they just multiply as (Totipotent) cells becoming lines of cells but can not become a human being with out that information but can be given the right information that makes them become particular cells like neurons or myelin in the brain.

The reason that embryonic stem cells are so important is that they can be groomed to become any tissue in the body. Embryonic stem cells are stronger and more versatile so are more useful in many kinds of transplantation including spinal cord injuries and brain damage. The adult stem cells are limited to the tissue they are found in.

Problems with stem cell research

Part of the current problem is that other countries are moving ahead of the United States for investment into this research. Even though, they are facing similar ethical issues. In a report by Johns Hopkins University Press explains what other countries are doing. Within Europe, the United Kingdom has adopted the policies that research is permitted both on embryos from fertilization clinics and on embryos created specifically for research through in vitro fertilization. Belgium joined the UK in allowing embryos to be created for scientific study through in vitro fertilization or nuclear transfer. Sweden is moving in the same direction. On the opposite end of the spectrum, several European nations prohibit all human embryo research and do not expressly permit research with pre-existing human embryonic stem cells. Austria, Ireland, Italy, Norway, and Poland have taken the more conservative approach where no human embryo research is permitted, and no explicit permission is given to perform research on existing human embryonic stem cells. Only Germany permits the importation and use of human embryonic stem cells that were derived outside Germany, with a time limit. The Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, and the Netherlands, Russia, and Spain have decided to allow research only on remaining embryos no longer needed for reproduction. France and Switzerland are moving in the same direction. Israel one of the world leaders in this research prohibits reproductive cloning but allow research cloning. United States only allows research on existing lines of stem cells. Of these 78 original cell lines according to Newsweek 10/25/2004: 7 were duplicates, 31 are at overseas