First Draft Stem Cell Paper

Saving Lives, One Cell at a Time

Since the discovery that embryonic stem cells could be used to find new treatments for chronic diseases controversy has surrounded the topic. Various bills and other pieces of legislation have been presented to congress, and all have been vetoed or voted against since the decision in 2001 that embryonic stem cell research would not be awarded government funding (Stem Cell Information: Federal Policy). In spite of this research has continued in some areas, however slowly, through private funding and overseas. In the time since the decision to cut funding for this type of research was made many people have become interested in donating their embryos to science and various options for all of those involved in the stem cell research debate have been coming into view. Embryonic stem cell research conducted using cells from embryos donated with consent should be awarded government funding because these cells have been the most effective in developing treatment for those with life threatening and debilitating diseases. This method does not devalue human life and will be most beneficial to those in need of treatment than any other type of stem cell research.

Before one can understand why this is true, the other types of stem cells and the research involving them must be understood. Stem cells are able to alter their form to become different cells in the human body. One of the first types of stem cell to be discovered was the adult stem cell. These cells, sometimes called somatic stem cells, have limited tissue adaptability. There are two major types of adult stem cells that are used in treatment and research: hematopoietic stem cells, which form the types of blood cells found in the body, and bone marrow stromal cells, which can create bone, cartilage, fat, and fibrous connective tissue (Stem Cell Information: What are adult stem cells?). These cells have been researched in connection with many diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Although they are sometimes successful, this type of treatment does not always yield results and is often require the use of other methods (“Stem Cell Therapies Today”). Treatments involving umbilical cord blood stem cells are often far more successful than whose involving adult stem cells. This is especially true in cases involving blood diseases these stem cells have had many more positive results than adult stem cells (“Stem Cell Therapies Today”). Programs have been put into action that allow parents to save the cord blood of their newborn children in order to use it if a problem arises for them later in life or for use in a sibling. This has been the most effective way of using cord blood because it involves putting cells from the donor back into their own body or that of a close relative and virtually eliminates the possibility of rejection. Cord blood cells have been most commonly used in cases related to bone marrow transplants, as these were the first treatments that the cells were tested in (Dowshen, Trigg). These cells do not present the controversy that embryonic stem cells do, however not enough research has been done to prove that they are as effective as embryonic stem cells. Two new types of stem cells have been developed and researched in the past year or so. The first of these involves taking a skin cell and adding four genes to it in order to produce a cell that is almost identical to an embryonic stem cell (University of California - Los Angeles). Although this is a promising discovery some research has shown that these cells are more likely to develop tumors than other types of stem cells, however not enough research has been done for a conclusion on the fate of skin-stem cells to be made. The second and most promising of these types of cells are those derived from the testes which have been converted into cells that have so far shown almost the exact same characteristics as embryonic stem cells, even being said to grow nearly as fast as embryonic stem cells do (Kaplan). This brings us to embryonic stem cell research which uses cells derived from a blastocyst, a structure that holds cells very early in an embryo’s development (MedicineNet). Although due to lack of funding it has been difficult to do this type of research in the U.S. many countries around the world have delved into embryonic stem cell research and made many important discoveries. Studies are going on in Europe involving repairing heart tissue, and growing organs which could change the face of medicine if successful (European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry). No matter how many other types of stem cell are discovered and created embryonic stem cells are still considered the gold standard for application of treatment. The U.S. deserves a claim in the discoveries made from embryonic stem cell research, however without funding it is impossible for researchers there to keep up with their government funded neighbors.

By far, the largest obstacle that embryonic stem cell research has faced in efforts to procure government funding is the moral dilemma which is evoked when one mentions an embryo. The perceptions of when a human life begins vary through the various religious, political and cultural groups in the United States. The idea that an embryo is a “pre-born” child has been promoted by many groups, most notably, the Snowflake organization which facilitates embryo “adoption” (Zirinsky). It is this ideology that portrays an embryo as the equal of a child which causes so many problems for embryonic stem cell research. Government funding has even been provided to the Snowflakes program even though it is estimated that only 2% of the available frozen embryos in the country will be given to other families (Belluck). It is also true that only one in ten frozen embryos will grow into babies if they’ve been frozen under five years (Caplan). However, embryos are also often donated to research as well. The state of California has recently made efforts to make donating embryos left over from in vitro fertilization much easier for their residents (Roan). This is the most promising avenue for embryonic stem cell research to follow. Embryos donated with consent, if not used would just become useless because each year that they remain frozen embryos become less and less viable for implantation, and would end up be disposed of, which would also be a waste of life according to those who believe that an embryo is equivalent to a child (Caplan). California’s system offers three different options for those donating embryos to choose what type of research their embryo’s cells are involved in depending on their comfort level. The choice to donate extra embryos is seen as “logical” to some couples who want to give back because of the opportunities that research has brought to them (Roan).

In recent years the need for embryonic stem cell research to push forward has rapidly been growing. With other countries becoming pioneers in the field the U.S. is falling behind, and its citizens are suffering. Only about 50 studies have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for research in the United States and only one remotely uses embryonic stem cells (Vastag, “Dozens of Research Trials Explore Use of Stem Cells Against Diseases”). The slow pace of American research has caused many people to investigate offshore stem cell injections. These injections have been priced between $15,000 and $50,000, but this price is little to pay for relief from the diseases that many of these people suffer from. Successful treatment of diseases including multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy has been seen from these offshore injections (Vastag, “Injections of Hope”). This only proves further the dire need for embryonic stem cell research to be funded by the American government. Progress cannot be made quickly enough to save the lives of many people dying of chronic diseases and waiting for organ transplants who are running out of time.

To insure that those in need are provided with proper care, and that embryonic stem cell research using willingly donated embryos is funded by the government, action must be taken. Since President Bush implemented his stem cell policy, stating that no embryonic stem cell research would receive government funding unless using stem cells frozen before the date of his announcement, very little progress has been made in the defense of embryonic stem cell research. Many bills have been voted upon by the senate and the house; however the majority of these have been vetoed (Stem Cell Information: Congressional Legislation). Funding is vital for the United States to keep contributing to the search for a cure to many diseases, and for the lives of many of its citizens to be preserved. Contacting politicians, getting the word out about the benefits of embryonic stem cell research are both ways that you can help gain government funding for this type of stem cell research. Promoting the idea that embryonic stem cells used in research do not devalue human life, but honors it by using embryos that would otherwise be discarded to save the lives of people who are living and suffering right now is also an excellent way to get action taken on behalf of those in need. Embryonic stem cell research using embryos donated with consent deserves to be funded by the United States Government; it is the type of research that has thus far yielded the most positive results and by not funding it the country is falling behind. It is a research option that maintains the value of human life, and will benefit the most people when it is funded and researched to its full potential.