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