Abstract
1. The object of this Paper is to provide an independent assessment of the Donaldson Committee's Recommendations in light of the most recent advances in stem cell research.
2. Stem cells should be defined by their ability to renew themselves and diversify into other cell types.
3. There are several readily accessible sources of stem cells. Strict criteria apply to the use of these sources in medical research.
4. Stem cells have wide potential application in medicine. "Adult" stem cells have already been used in the world's first recorded case of successful gene therapy "surgery".
…show more content…
However, the Donaldson Committee's Report clearly states that the ethical objections to the cloning of human embryos for this purpose are "outweighed by the potential benefits" of using embryonic stem cells to advance research into the treatment of degenerative diseases.
Submitted to the Department of Health as long ago as January 2000, the Report's recommendations are based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence available to the Donaldson Committee between January and December 1999, no less than nine months ago. And such is the pace of advances in the field of stem cell research, many experts, including scientists and medical doctors, have since challenged the basis for the Report's findings.
The object of this Briefing Paper, therefore, is to provide independent and informed analysis of the most up-to-date, cutting-edge stem cell research, in order to better inform those Members of the United Kingdom Parliament who intend to vote on whether to accept the Recommendations made by the Donaldson Committee.
Background
The Chief Medical Officer's Advisory Group defined stem cells as "unspecialized cells which have not yet differentiated into any specific type of tissue."3 This definition is consistent with the one applied by the National Institutes of Health, the body appointed by President Clinton to consider the value of research using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (HPSCs).
However, the limitations of this
Stem Cell research and its funding have caused a lot of controversy throughout the past years. Stem cells are cells that are present in all living organisms. These cells have the potential to grow into any type of cell, including blood cells, nerves, muscles, and pancreatic cells. Stem cell research is essential because of the beneficial aspects it has to offer. Stem cells could potentially treat conditions such as Alzheimer 's, Parkinson 's, birth defects, strokes, Diabetes, cancer, and help in the reconstruction of severely damaged organs. Although stem cell research withholds great potential for many medical advances, a lot of controversy surrounds the sources and methods of obtaining stem cells and the possibility of improper usage of the knowledge acquired from research and experimentation. It is necessary for scientist to continue research as well as recognizing any ethical issues that may be present.
A stem cell can be described as the primary building block of the human body and have become important because of its ability to develop into a different cell type. Due to this ability to develop into different cell types, scientists have continued to build up ways to use stem cells to renew or repair damaged tissues or organs. As a result of such efforts, it's expected that stem cell research can contribute to the discovery of new therapies for various medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. However, it's difficult to estimate the duration of time that it could take in order for stem cell research to accomplish these measures. Regardless of these attempts, stem cell research has continued to generate huge debates and controversies across the world since it emerged. These controversies and debates have hugely affected stem cell research policies and contributed to various legal issues.
Stem cell research has been quite a controversial topic since its origin in the 1960s by Gopal Das and Joseph Altman. Of course, anything that uses a human embryo would be. Stem cell research could open a vast number of new doors for modern science, it could let us test new drugs, one of which could be the unfound cure for AIDS or Alzheimer’s disease. However, this branch of science comes at a high price, the price of a human life that is only five to six days
Objection 2: Stem cells can help cure some diseases and generate on its own to produce or form more cells in the human body. Embryonic Stem Cell research is one of the most useful research ever found.
Stem cell research has evolved ever since stem cells were first discovered. During the 1900s, stem cell research reached a new horizon. In 1978, stem cells were discovered in human cord blood. Because of this breakthrough, they were then able to use the cord blood to treat cancer or genetic blood diseases (EuroStemCell, 2012). In 1981, the first in vitro stem cell line was developed from mice. This slowly progressed to hamsters in 1988 and primates in 1995 (Murnaghan, 2016). These key events helped today’s scientists start many research studies. These research studies have brought forth numerous leads on different cures and treatments for diseases. If federal
In conclusion, stem cells are the tremendous promise to understand and to cure a verity types of diseases. They represent the powerful hope to remove the misery for thousands of patients who deal daily with a debilitating disease. As any new therapy, stem cells have many obstacles. A lot of things that scientists should learn to overcome the technical obstacles. Only Knowledge is their weapon. Stem cells research remains one of the hottest ethical debate over nations. Stem cells require an honest and a pure answer that religious people have to say regarding when human life begins. Stem cells covered with political gamesmanship, where some government’s implications limit stem cells research. There are many questions remain without answers: Will
Team, The MNT Editorial. “What Are Stem Cells?” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 19 July 2017,
Stem cell research is capable to cure many diseases, as well as eliminating donor organ rejection, which has been one of the medical difficulties. In spite of having these potentials, the research done so far has been problematic and resulted in more unresolved complication than success. As cited in Healey (2007, p. 25), Sherley (2006) stated “[t]hese defects [from stem cell genetic program] will certainly render tissues derived from them ineffective and potentially dangerous.” On the other hand, it has enhanced the level of study, for being able to provide a path for the study of early human development. Moreover, the trials for new drugs are accessible and early prevention for certain disease could be carried out. Clearly, the future of stem cell research cannot be justified in terms of its
There are four types of stem cells: embryonic, fetal, adult, and induced. Adult stem cells have already been a major resource in medical research. With the use of these stem cells, we have found new treatments and tested new drugs that could eventually be used to cure some of our toughest diseases. Although these cells have already jump-started our research, it is harder to use these stem cells because
Stem cells have become one of the largest and controversial research fields in the Department of Regenerative Medicine. They are often referred to as the “building blocks of nature” due to their ability to transform into any type of cell in the human body. The controversy behind the use of stem cells is the possible chance that stem cells can regenerate organs, and cure life-threatening diseases. This topic has been publicly discussed among scientists and healthcare professionals. There are different types of stem cells, such as regular, cancer, embryonic and adult (Jun Zhang et al. 2). This brings up ethical concerns: whether destroying the embryo is worth stem cell research/ transplantation (Jun Zhang et al. 3). Also, if stem cell research is cost effective. Stem cell research will allow people to gain further knowledge on the benefits on the use of stem cells, and how it can bring new innovations into the medical field. The benefits weight out the cons. Stem cell development continues to rapidly grow through research, which has unraveled its possible benefits in organs, cancer, neurologic and cardiac diseases. The United States government should fund stem cell research because this advance in medical research can create cures to life-threatening diseases.
Scientific research of all kinds is viewed by some as controversial, with one of the most controversial of these being the study of human stem cells. From the first uses of this technology there have been many who have fought to stop it. However, current advances in medical research have made it possible to reduce some of the negative stigma surrounding stem cell research and will lead researchers to develop new cures and other applications that could turn the health care industry further toward the current trend of preventative medicine. Much of the negative connotation surrounds the types of cells used and how they are harvested. New discoveries and techniques have allowed for alternate sources of stem cells and that research has led to new views of the cells and their functions. All of this has, in turn, led to new information about many genetic diseases and possible treatments using stem cells.
Scientists and researchers believe that Human Embryonic Stem Cells hold potential cures for numerous diseases in today's society, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease, Hodgkin's disease, hundreds of immune system and genetic disorders, spinal cord injuries, heart disease and just about every type of cancer. In today's world there's over a million Americans who suffer from deadly diseases, not only adults but innocent children that deserve to live a healthy life. These deadly diseases can be cured or treated in a more effective way than they are treated now with the help of the human embryonic stem cells. According to the Poll on "American views on stem cell research in the wake of the death of Ronald Reagan" which was prepared for results of America, shows that a sum of 73% highly supports and somewhat support this controversial process (Results of America, 2004). Even though this topic has brought continuous political attacks and very limited funding, Human Embryonic Stem cell research has made considerable contribution to the battle against disabilities and incurable diseases. A great example of success by using human embryonic stem cells was made by Dr. Hans Keirstead in the Roman Laboratory at UC Irvine; he restored myelin insulation around damaged nerves, returning motion to partially paralyzed rats. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2005) .
The guiding principle for clinical research is set by the World Medical Association in the Declaration of Helsinki, which stated that “In the treatment of a patient, where proven prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic methods do not exist or have been ineffective, the physician, with informed consent from the patient, must be free to use unproven or new prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic measures, if in the physician’s judgment it offers hope of saving life, re-establishing health or alleviating suffering.”21. In assessing the possibility of adopting a new treatment into clinical practice, rigorous scientific and ethical standards must be followed, therefore governments around the globe have passed legislation to regulate stem cell
Stem research is making giant leaps that could revolutionise the way medical professionals treat diseases and test drugs. Medical applications of stem cells are already evident in our present society but due to some ethical, legal and social issues surrounding the use of stem cells, specifically embryonic stem cell research, it has been brought into a political crossfire. Stem cells were discovered in human cord blood in1978.( )Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated and have the remarkable potential to differentiate into specialized cell types through cell division.(1) Throughout our body stem cells can be found either perpetuating the stem cell pool by self-renewal or replacing dead or damaged cells through
On April 28, 2011 - the United States Appeals Court overturned the rule of a federal judge because of several issues that emerged with stem cell research being funded by the government. Although, the science of human embryonic stem cell is in its initial stages - there is much hope for scientific advancement due to the ability for human embryonic stem cells to grow into virtually various kinds of cells Favorably, advocates for stem cell research and pharmaceutical companies strongly believe that stem cells may pave a way to discover new methods of treatment for devastating ailments; such as, Leukemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes- a prospect that is inspiring to both scientists and those who are