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What is the Controversy over Stem Cell Research?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

The controversy over stem cell research in the US is not so much about the research or methodology itself, but more about federal funding of a program with significant moral and ethical issues attached to it. Private funding is available, and researchers are able to perform many of their experiments. Because federal funding can be substantial for projects of this scope, however, the uncertainty about funding can have a detrimental effect on the future of such research.

Broadly speaking, the controversy comes from the nature of the stem cells themselves. Stem cells are essentially like chemistry labs waiting for an order to create a specific type of cell. An eye cell has a different set of coding and chemicals than a muscle cell or a blood cell. Because these stem cells are such blank slates, they can be artificially manipulated into becoming almost any type of cell needed to replace defective or missing tissue. Research has shown that these unfinished cells might be useful for treating the underlying cause of many neuromuscular and systemic conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and muscular dystrophy.

Stem cells and the types of cells they could become.
Stem cells and the types of cells they could become.

One of the controversies over stem cell research arises from the preferred source of these malleable stem cells. A human embryo contains the highest level of viable stem cells, since many of them have not been "ordered" to form specific structures in the body yet. Harvesting enough embryonic stem cells for research and treatment purposes means the destruction of human embryos, although they are usually obtained through natural miscarriages or voluntary donations of aborted fetuses. Donors are not compensated financially, nor are they encouraged to become pregnant for the expressed purpose of research.

Research on stem cells has provided some insight into the nature and potential treatment of diabetes.
Research on stem cells has provided some insight into the nature and potential treatment of diabetes.

Stem cells can also be harvested from umbilical cords and other tissues expelled during the birthing process, although these tissues may not contain as many viable cells as embryos. Adults also have a small amount available for research purposes, but the lack of federal funding has hampered many of the researchers' studies in that area. When federal funding was cut off, researchers were only allowed to use embryonic stem cell lines which existed at the time. They cannot harvest new lines of stem cells from human embryos.

Stem cell research may help scientists find alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Stem cell research may help scientists find alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

The controversy also centers around the moral and ethical issues of using human embryos as sources of medical research or treatment. Many religious groups believe that life begins at conception, so the killing of embryos would be the moral equivalent of murdering a child. Ethically, the possibility that embryos might be created or donated strictly for medicinal purposes is also a consideration. An embryo's stem cells might be harvested and stored in case the parent develops a debilitating disease later in life, for instance.

The controversy surrounding stem cell research surrounds using human embryos as sources of medical research.
The controversy surrounding stem cell research surrounds using human embryos as sources of medical research.

Because of these ethical and moral issues, the administration of President George W. Bush maintained a policy of no federal funding for stem cell research involving embryonic material. In 2009, President Barack Obama reversed this decision, revoking Bush's executive order, and allowing research on embryonic stem cells by scientists who receive federal funding, as long as such research is "scientifically worthy" and performed within current laws.

Some stem cells can be harvested from the umbilical cords of newborn babies.
Some stem cells can be harvested from the umbilical cords of newborn babies.

Research on stem cells has also provided some insight into the nature and potential treatment of diabetes, which affects millions of people around the world. Other sources for stem cells beside human embryos may be discovered, or the use of human embryos may be monitored more stringently in upcoming projects.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

indemnifyme

@strawCake - I agree with you. Plus, there are other places to get stem cells, as the article said. If scientists focused on umbilical cord stem cell research, I think it would be a lot more ethical to use Federal funds for it.

strawCake

I don't think Federal funding should pay for stem cell research. If private companies want to pay for it, that's fine. But I don't want my tax money going towards any kind of research that's being done with the remains of aborted fetuses.

I don't care how many people could be helped by stem cell research info, I just don't think doing this kind of research is ethical.

JaneAir

@Monika - I agree with you. It's not like the current stem cell research policy gives people an incentive to get an abortion or try to miscarry. As the article said, no one is paid for making that kind of donation. If the mother has a miscarriage or was going to have an abortion anyway, why not do something useful with the biological material that's left over?

Monika

I am really hoping the United States will eventually allow Federal funding for stem cell research again. I think that we're missing out on a lot of stem cell research potential by having such these laws in place.

As the article said, scientists can probably find treatments and/or cures for any number of diseases from stem cell research. But without funding, the research can only go so far!

I don't see anything unethical about using stem cells from miscarried or aborted fetuses, as long as the people who donate the material aren't paid for it in any way.

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    • Stem cells and the types of cells they could become.
      By: Andrea Danti
      Stem cells and the types of cells they could become.
    • Research on stem cells has provided some insight into the nature and potential treatment of diabetes.
      By: luchschen_shutter
      Research on stem cells has provided some insight into the nature and potential treatment of diabetes.
    • Stem cell research may help scientists find alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
      By: chuugo
      Stem cell research may help scientists find alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
    • The controversy surrounding stem cell research surrounds using human embryos as sources of medical research.
      By: spflaum
      The controversy surrounding stem cell research surrounds using human embryos as sources of medical research.
    • Some stem cells can be harvested from the umbilical cords of newborn babies.
      By: Kati Molin
      Some stem cells can be harvested from the umbilical cords of newborn babies.
    • Part of the controversy over stem cell research is from the belief by some that life begins at conception.
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      Part of the controversy over stem cell research is from the belief by some that life begins at conception.