Stem cell research

Controversy about stem cell research

The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial. The controversy is based on the belief by opponents that a fertilized egg is fundamentally a human being with rights and interests that need to be protected. Those who oppose stem cell research do not want fetuses and fertilized eggs used for research purposes. However, a team of scientists have developed a technique that was successful in generating mouse stem cells without destroying the mouse embryo. This technique has not yet been attempted on human embryonic tissue.

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Supporters of stem cell research argue that the fertilized eggs are donated with consent from each couple and would be discarded anyway. Therefore, there is no potential for those fertilized eggs to become human beings. Fertilized eggs are not (at this time) being created specifically for stem cell research.

As with any moral and ethical issue, the controversy surrounding stem cell research will likely continue for quite some time. Supporters believe that an aggressive federal program is needed before the potential of stem cell research can be realized. At this time, federal funding is limited to stem cell lines that already exist. The funding does not support creating new stem cell lines from existing fertilized eggs. This is based on the idea that a decision on the existing stem cell lines has already been made, prior to the policy?s implementation, by the egg donors themselves. The current policy is an attempt at a compromise -- one that supports medical research, and at the same time eases the ethical concerns of those opposing embryonic stem cell research.

References:

Okie S. Stem-cell research--signposts and roadblocks. N Engl J Med.2005 Jul 7;353(1):1-5.

Lindvall O, Kokaia Z. Stem cell therapy for human brain disorders. Kidney Int. 2005 Nov;68(5):1937-9.

Fukuda H, Takahashi J. Embryonic stem cells as a cell source for treating Parkinson's disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2005 Oct;5(10):1273-80.

Lougheed T. New US guidelines for research on human embryos. CMAJ.2005 Jun 21;172(13):1672.

Zwillich T. Guidelines set ethical bar for US stem cell research. Lancet. 2005 May 7-13;365(9471):1612.