Stem Cell Research: Science Wins Over
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
-Marie Curie
Marie Curie’s words are ones which religion has battled for the last 1000 years. From the Middle ages into the Renaissance into the present day, religious extremists from all religions have impeded the advance of science. Just ask Galileo.
This Monday, President Obama is set to sign an executive order which will reverse the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research set in place by George Bush in 2001.
AS the Washington Post reported:
“The move, long sought by scientists and patient advocates and opposed by religious groups, would enable the National Institutes of Health to consider requests from scientists to study hundreds of lines of cells that have been developed since the limitations were put in place — lines that scientists and patient advocate say hold great hope for leading to cures for a host of major ailments.”
Stem cell research in the U.S. has been restricted for 8 years for pure political reasons. The Bush administration cowed down to its religious base in restricting federal funding to the 21 stem lines which were in existence at that time. Embryonic cell stem research, which holds the greatest promise for finding cures to many diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries) had its funding shut down because religious groups were opposed to the destruction of embryos. For those of you not versed on cell stems, here’s a brief primer.
What are Cell Stems?
All 50 or so trillion cells in the human body originated from a single cell at the time of fertilization. As cells divide, they have the potential to either become stem cells or specialized cells – e.g. red blood cells, muscle tissue, skin cells. As an embryo develops it is these specialized cells which make up the many parts of the human body. Stem cells are simply cells which have not yet been induced (assigned) a special function.
Are there different types of cell stems?
Yes, there are 2 main types of stem cells – embryonic and adult.
Adult stem cells
Adult cells are the ones which exist in our bodies at this time and are used to replace the cells which die off or are damaged each day. An example of these would be the adult cell stems found in bone marrow which develop into and replace dying blood cells. Adult cell stems are restricted in that they have the physiology to develop only into a specialized group of cells – e.g. blood cells.
Embryonic stem cells
Embryonic stem cells which as its name suggests, are stem cells found in embryos. These cells can develop into any type of cell found in the human body. It is for this reason that embryonic cell stem research has such greater potential than adult cell stem study.
Where do scientists obtain embryonic stem cells?
Infertility clinics deal with tens of thousands of embryos each year by means of in vitro fertilization procedures. When no longer required they can be donated to researchers with the consent of the donor.
Why would religious groups protest the use of embryonic cell stems?
When stem cells are removed from an embyro, the embryo is destroyed. If one is of the belief that life begins at conception, then removing cell stems from an embryo is equivalent, for the believers, to destroying life.
What happens to the unused in vitro embryos if they are not used in fertilization or donated to science?
They are discarded.
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Stem cell research is happening in most industrialized nations. It is only the U.S. which has been stymied in its research by the restrictions imposed by the Bush administration. So while I can understand the concerns of the religious, there comes a time when common sense must take precedence over religious beliefs. This is one of those times.
The earth is not flat and as Copernicus and Galileo discovered, the earth is not the center of the universe, despite the Church’s wish, at the time, to have its followers believe so.
Marie Curie reminds us that fear breeds ignorance and ignorance impedes progress and we must not allow the Luddites, religious or otherwise, to control the agenda.
Not now, not ever.
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About bloody time. We’ve lost 8 years of research in a vital part of science because of narrow-minded partisan republican practices. The more I think about it, the more obvious it becomes that conservatives are a real danger to the future of this country.
It amazes me still how we ever survived the last eight years of destructive policies from Bush. Obama has his work cut out for himself.
My brother suffers from Parkinson’s and I can only hope that embryonic cell stem research will lead to a cure for this horribly disabling disease. It sickens me to think of how we’ve lost 8 years of research because of the ignorance of George Bush.
So sorry about your brother, catlover.
Embryonic cell stem research holds great promise for a cure to many diseases and I can understand your anger and frustration at the time wasted by the previous administration. You’re not alone.
Many people very fervently believe life begins at conception. For those that believe as such, destroying an embryo is the same as ending a human life. I believe most polls show that somewhere around 54% of the population believe life begins, to some extent, upon conception.
I think the debate around embryonic stem cell research is that if given the green light, research for alternative methods would be foregone and a market for embryos, simply for the sake of harvesting stem cells would flourish.
I’m not sure exactly where I come down on the “life at conception” debate. But to me, it hardly seems right to create a potential life in the form of an embryo, simply for the sake of being able to destroy it by harvesting stem cells.
We have abortion on demand. I’m not sure that creating “life” for the sake of ending it by harvesting stem cells is a step in the right direction from a moral standpoint.
I guess when it gets down to it, you have to ask yourself which of your strongly held convictions would YOU be willing to forego in the spirit of “progress”.
There’s no need to “harvest” embryos to cultivate stem cell. Stem cells can be extracted from any baby’s Amniotic fluid and used to grow new organ tissue. This was scientifically tested and proven in 2004 so I don’t understand all the hype behind stem cell research. It should be allowed flourish, which could potentially help millions – like for catlover above.
To further clarify, similar to embryonic stem cells (ESC), AFS cells (those that are derived from umbilical cord blood), are “pluripotent”, meaning they can be manipulated to become many different types of mature tissues while avoiding not only the killing of embryonic human beings to obtain them, but also the problem of tumour formation immune system rejection. They AFS cells are slightly easier to deal with and manipulate in animal trials, than ESC.
As far as convictions go, I’d ask the following question to anyone who would forgo the advancement of medicine because of religious beliefs; When your child is ill, who do you first go to see? Your priest/rabbi/spiritual leader or your doctor?
Good point, trudeau-ite. The only problem at the moment, I believe, is that they have not yet determined that AFS cells can generate every type of cell found in the human body. Embryonic cells do have that capability.
If and when it is found that AFS cells do function exactly like ES cells, then I would think that some of the concern by pro-lifers would have been removed.
For the time being though, allowing the use of embryonic stem cells is the logical way to go.
For those so convicted, I think prayer is probably involved in the process.
And as I’m sure you are aware, several religions shun doctors. Personally, I’m going for the Doctor, but I understand others view things differently.
I am aware this is a tough one for pro-life supporters.
I believe in religious rights , I believe in the sciences.
Two things:
When it comes right down to it, would many not fight to save a loved one? If there was some hope that this research would help your child, your family, someone you cherish, would they not commit to supporting the government to aid in stem cell research?
The other: if the unused in vitro embryos are indeed discarded, is that not contrary to embracing life? They are throwing away a potential life, killing a potential life.
Something to mull over?
LOL I think it is only Govt funded that Bush did not sign off on. If this is such a wonderful way to kill babies to research, than there are other ways, I am sure to fund this murderous campaign!! Hey, maybe u can club babies to death as they do the seals in Cnanda!!
The embryos from which ECS are taken would never develop into babies. If they are not donated to research (with the donor’s consent), they are discarded.