Kevin Austria, Emily Bright, Adam Mills, John Okerson, Erin Peavy

What are Stem Cells?  Stem cells are different from other cell types by three important characteristics. 1. Capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. 2. Unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division 3. Develop from a generic cell to become cells with special functions and properties. 2

Types of Stem Cells  Non-embryonic (adult) stem cells used in bone marrow transplants for decades Active constantly renew old and worn out tissue Some remain dormant then become active under special conditions. (i.e.. Liver or heart)  Embryonic stem cells Found in 4-5 day old embryo These cells raise much moral and ethical debate 3

Research with Stem Cells  Began nearly 30 years ago in experimenting with animals  1998-Major breakthrough when scientists discovered a method to derive stem cells from human embryos grown in the laboratory Started the moral debate over stem cells.  discovered new way to make cells behave like embryonic stem cells. 4

Moral/ Ethical Controversy  Embryonic Stem Cells: Does life begin at fertilization, in the womb, or at birth? Is a human embryo equivalent to a human child? Does a human embryo have any rights? Might the destruction of a single embryo be justified if it provides a cure for a countless number of patients? 5

Current Policies  Federal and State governments both play a role  Has not been legislated at the national level  Policies vary along party lines 6

National Policies  Bush Policy Statement to the NIH Executive Order in 2007  Obama Executive Order  Legislative Efforts 7

State Policies  No federal laws  2010 study on embryonic research funding  Ohio laws and regulations National Center for Regenerative Medicine 8

Federal Governments  Legislative Branch Senate and the House of Representatives Example: ○ Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 and 2007 ○ Passed in House of Representatives ○ Passed in Senate ○ Bill Vetoed by President George W. Bush both years. 9

Federal Governments  Legislative Problems Stem Cell research is a highly controversial subject Bipartisan system causes the senate to be split by ideologies. Congress cannot get the 2/3 votes needed to override the president’s veto. 10

Federal Governments  Executive Branch President ○ Example: Two vetoes by George W. Bush Executive Order by Barack Obama. 11

Committee  House Committee on Energy and Commerce Allowed bills to pass committee stage Research revealed responsibilities of this committee: ○ Telecommunications ○ Consumer Protection ○ Food and Drug Safety ○ Public Health Research ○ Environmental Quality ○ Affordable Energy ○ Interstate and Foreign Commerce 12

Departments Etc.  Department of Human Health Services  National Institute of Health President Obama’s EO allowed less limitations on federally funded research of stem cells. Should have more of an impact on policy formation as research progresses and shows more promise. 13

State Governments  States have had the most success in enacting bills and funding for stem cell research.  However,  States vary greatly in their stem cell research regulations  Some allow for all types of embryos to be used for research whereas some do not allow it. 14

Non-governmental Actors  Against Embryonic Stem-Cell Research AmericanCatholic.org Do No Harm: Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics  Support Embryonic Stem-Cell Research California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research  Tactics Letters, Visits, Testimony, Media 15

Ending Restrictions  The decision to end many restrictions on embryonic stem cell research has removed a key barrier to the research and discovery of stem cell uses.  Prior to 2009, stem cell research was funded privately and had many restrictions on which type of cells could be used.  President Obama took a new stance and allowed for research to begin on embryonic stem cells instead of just pluripotent stem cells. 16

Potential Solutions  The increased amount of allowed research and federal funding has given rise to multiple experimental breakthroughs.  Stem Cells can now be used to treat a wide range of medical problems such as: Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Heart diseases, Strokes, Diabetes, Birth Defects, replacing and repairing damaged organs, along with reduced risks of transplantations. 17

Effective?  The new policies enacted by President Obama have indeed shown to be medically effective even if they are viewed as being morally subjective by some people 18

Recommendations  Government involvement in the form of regulations and funding is essential for protection and technological advancement  State and Federal government currently share control of stem cell research policy and this system should remain in place so that states can advance the interests and values of their populations.  Regulations should remain similar to what they currently are, meaning research on all types of stem cells is allowable though regulated. The only change we propose making is prohibiting the use of aborted embryos 19

Alternatives  New discoveries leading to reprogramming skin cells to replace embryonic stem cells  Advanced research in reprogramming cells could essentially end the debate about using stem cells. 20

Works Cited  "About Us." CAMR. Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. Web. 18 Apr   "CSCRM - Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine." CSCRM. National Center for Regenerative Medicine. Web. 22 Apr   Federal Policy. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011 [cited Thursday, April 19, 2012] Available at   Genetic Science Learning Center. "The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?." Learn.Genetics 23 April 2012   “H.R. 810 (109th): Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005." Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (2006; 109th Congress H.R. 810). Web. 23 Apr   In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011 [cited Friday, April 20, 2012] Available at   "Key Facts About Prop 71." California Stem Cell Research & Cures Initiative - Home. Sept Web. 18 Apr   "Lobbying Tactics." Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest. CLPI. Web. 18 Apr   Obama, Barack. "Executive Order Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells | The White House." The White House. 9 Mar Web. 23 Apr   "On Human Embryos and Stem Cell Research." Stemcellresearch.org. Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics, 1 July Web. 18 Apr   Rowley, Janet. "Embryonic Stem Cell Research Does Too Much Good to Be Evil, Says Janet Rowley." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 23 Mar Web. 24 Apr   Shannon, Thomas A. "AmericanCatholic.org - Catholic Update©2002- Stem-Cell Research by Thomas A. Shannon." AmericanCatholic.org. Web. 18 Apr   "States Now Fund Most Embryonic Stem Cell Research in U.S." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 14 Dec Web. 22 Apr   “Stem Cell Basics: Introduction.” In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited April 20, 2012] Available at.   "Stem Cell Research." Embryonic and Fetal Research Laws. National Conference of State Legislatures. Web. 23 Apr   "Stem Cell Research." Experiment-Resources.com. Web. 24 Apr   "Stem Cell Transplant." European Myeloma Platform. Web. 24 Apr   United States. Government Printing Office. Federal Registrar. 46th ed. Vol. 74. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, Government Printing Office. 11 Mar Web. 20 Apr   United States. Government Printing Office. Federal Registrar. 120th ed. Vol. 72. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, Government Printing Office. 22 June Web. 20 Apr   "U.S. House of Representatives: Committee on Energy and Commerce, Republicans." House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans. Web. 23 Apr   "What Are Stem Cells?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 01 Feb Web. 19 Apr

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