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The Stem Cell Debate, 10/06
Key Lecture Points:
• Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are cells taken from human embryos when they are 5-7 days beyond fertilization. The first extraction of embryonic stem cells was performed in 1998 at the University of Wisconsin. In the US, the embryos open to research are the frozen surplus from in vitro fertilization procedures. Recent studies indicate that there are approximately 500,000 such embryos in the US.
• Supporters of hESC research argue that the flexible characteristics of hESCs show strong potential for the development of cell therapies that could address human suffering. Beneficiaries could include people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, burn victims and many others.
• Opponents argue that hESC research is immoral and unethical in that advances would be achieved at the expense of a human life, given that the embryo is destroyed in the course of stem cell extraction.
• In August, 2001, President Bush issued an order stating that no federal funds could be spent on scientific research on human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines created after August 2001. This order permits federal funding on hESC research, but only on the 22 stem cell lines that had been isolated at the time of President Bush’s order. Federal law does not forbid research that creates new stem cell lines; it only restricts federal funding.
• In May of 2005, House of Representatives voted 238-194 to permit federal funding of research on hESC that would include the creation of new lines derived from IVF embryos donated by parents. On July 18, 2006, the Senate passed a similar bill by a vote of 63-37. Among those who voted in favor of the bill were Senator Bill Frist (R) the Senate Majority leader. On July 19, 2006 President Bush vetoed the bill.
• The political debate over hESC research is certain to continue. After the veto, advocates for expanded hESC research stated their intention to continue to push for funding.
For More Information:
• NIH Stem Cell Primer: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics
• Library of Congress Analysis: http://www.fas.org/spp/civil/crs/RL31015.pdf
Books For Further Reading:
• Parson, Ann B. The Proteus Effect: Stem Cells and Their Promise for Medicine. Joseph Henry Press, 2004. 301 pages.
Description: Parson chronicles a scientific discovery in progress, exploring the ethical debates and describing the current research.
Click here to order.
• Waters, Brent. God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning. Georgetown University Press. 228 pages.
Description: This anthology on how religious perspectives can inform the difficult issues of stem cell research and human cloning is draws from Judeo-Christian perspective.
Click here to order.
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