The science
Stem cells are found in bone marrow, in the blood from a baby's umbilical cord, and in parts of the body such as the brain and skin (scientists are still researching this). It has long been known that stem cells make new blood cells: bone marrow transplants are used to replace or restore bone marrow damaged by disease or chemotherapy.
But what scientists have discovered is that stem cells can evolve into other kinds of cells as well. Think of stem cells, then, as being something like clay that can be molded into any shape. At this point, though, researchers aren't sure how it all happens, and they have been working on learning how to control the process so a particular type of tissue grows from the stem cells.
The problem
The catch for embryonic stem cell research is that embryos are required--human embryos for human research. Usually scientists use extra embryos that in-vitro fertilization clinics would otherwise discard. Some researchers have suggested that the thousands of fertilized embryos that have been stored frozen at those clinics could be donated for research as well. There are a limited number of embryonic stem cells available to researchers in the U.S.
A hot topic
Debate in the United States over stem cell research has been fierce. The issues have been muddied further by concerns about using embryonic tissues for research. On January 26, 2001, President Bush spoke about the issue. "I believe there's some wonderful opportunities for adult stem cell research," he told reporters. "I believe we can find stem cells from fetuses that died a natural death. But I do not support research from aborted fetuses." The U.S. Congress has banned federal financing for research in which human embryos are harmed or destroyed. Opponents of embryonic stem cell research point out that the research ends up destroying the embryo, so therefore government grants shouldn't be used to support it.
So, at this point, researchers are unsure how to proceed. Some advocate using only stem cells from parts of the body, saying there's no reason to use embryonic cells. Other scientists insist that new insights will never be gained unless embryonic research continues. No doubt this issue will continue to be debated not only in the U.S. Congress, but in legislatures and parliaments around the world.
Information for this article was taken from:
- Cohen, S.B., Morgan, C.L., & Perez-Cruz, I. (2000). Cord-blood serum does not increase lymphocyte responses. Hum Immunol, vol. 61, pp 111-114.
- Fischer, Joannie Schrof. "Tweaking Nature's Repair Kit." U.S. News, June 12, 2000.
- Toner, Robin. "Bush Caught in Middle on Research of Stem Cells." The New York Times, February 28, 2001.
- Wade, Nicholas. "Findings Deepen Debate on Using Embryonic Cells." The New York Times, April 3, 2001.
