Another Major Stem Cell Advance

Scientists at Advanced Cell Technology announced yesterday that they've derived colonies of stem cells from human embryos without doing any damage to those original embryos. The work is significant because it may meet the ethical guidelines of the Bush Administration, which insist that no harm be done to the embryos in pursuing this brand of stem cell research. At the same time, it might not be that clear cut, since the definition of "harm" is a bit tricky in this space, as this Washington Post article points out. The work differs from this past summer's big advance, in which scientists dodged the ethical issue altogether, and derived embyonic stem cells from mature cells.—Gregory Mone

Comments

[Jay]

To clarify, stem cell research on embryos is not illegal in the US and Bush has not tought to make it illegal.

Bush's stance is that it remain legal but not be funded with federal tax dollars, because many people (like Catholics) believe it to be a sin to capitalize on embryonic fetal tissue.

The whole matter is not a question of politics, nor science - it's a question of money.

All about money.

Harvard University for example does stem cell research. That school is sitting on an endowment of some $25 billion. They could use their vast financial resources to do stem cell studies, but no, they want more federal largesse.

The Wright brothers did not need federal help to build their airplane.

There's gobs of money sitting in private charities and private companies that can go to stem cell research. More than enough without mixing in tax dollars and forcing some people to subsidize something they believe to be a grievous sin.

[Titus Ferguson]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is done with the embryos after the stem lines are created? Are they just refrozen and placed back in the bank?

[amr]

I do find it interesting the stem cell research on embryos has produced little if any advances and reports are that cancer like growths have been experienced because the cells can not be controlled; where as adult stem cell research has produced results. Ignoring any political aspects of this issue, the money should go where the breakthroughs are being made. Unfortunately, politics does enter into this equation and for some reason those that support embryonic stem cell research just can’t let go. As is what too often happens, those that have invested their creditability in one side or the other of an issue can not follow the evidence and facts to a logical conclusion. A sorry waste of resources and public and private funds is the result.

[Account Deleted]

It is simply not correct to say that thus procedure is harmless. The cell extraction procedure is known from IVF work to render some percentage of embryos nonviable, though it does seem that embryos that do survive the procedure suffer no ill effect.

[newscaper]

The clinging to embryonic research is partly from researchers who are heavily invested in it (years milking grant lines) not wanting to have to start over. But, still, working with the person's own stem cells is clearly much more ideal from the standpoint of rejection, at least as long as the genes responsible for the problem in the first place aren't a deal killer.

However, I think the line is being held so firmly on embryonic stem cells from other quarters because it is very close cousin to the abortion issue. The unrestricted abortion crowd probably sees it as another rampart to defend.

FWIW I don't think the embryonic and adult research are far enough along to definitively say embryonic work is no longer needed, period. But that is a far cry from not allowing restrictions on it in the meantime.

[Account Deleted]

To be clear, this procedure is no MORE harmful to embryos than the equivalent procedure used for genetic testing in IVF. But the Bush standard us actually tougher than the standards applied to IVF. Inconsistent? Perhaps, but at least with IVF objecting taxpayers are not footing the bill.

[Account Deleted]

sorry, us --> is in both posts. Damn iPhone!

[MPH]

Bush duped the religious right big time -- he ensured that embryonic stem-cell research would remain legal -- but the press played into his hands by implying he made it illegal simply by refusing to use federal funds.

[sometimes]

I suppose I'm on the religious right, so what duping do you mean? I read Bush's original statement when he issued its quite clear and understandable. What the media and BDS crowd did was create and repeat untruths, or at a minimum, exaggerations and misimpressions. If it comes back to haunt them, so be it.

[Fr Martin Fox]

If you accept the premise that it is wrong to use an embryo as a means to an end, such as research or development -- as opposed to allowing an embryo to develop naturally -- then this is still unacceptable.

If the embryonic human being has rights, it has the right not to be used in this fashion; that the embryo isn't "destroyed" is not the line.

[Doc99]

my question re: embryonic stem cells is a simple one. How do we know the embryo is normal - normal chromosome complement and not harboring a sleeper gene to awaken years in the future to wreak havoc with potential recipients? Bush's instincts, though possibly misguided, may have been right all along. Be afraid ... be very afraid.

[mcg]

Doc99, I think your question reflects a misunderstanding of stem cell research. It's not like the genetic information from a single embryo is somehow going to be placed inside millions of people. Ultimately, a successful embryonic stem cell treatment will require that the source embryo be a good genetic match for the patient. Indeed, one of the ethical concerns here is that the best choice would be to clone the patient and use genetically identical embryo to harvest stem cells.

Besides, what genetic abnormalities would you be thinking of? And why wouldn't they appear in embryos that ultimately develop into walking talking human beings? Embryos used in stem cell research are no different. (Indeed, that is the point to those opposed to ESC research; embryos are people!) In fact, embryos used in research purposes can undergo far more genetic screening than babies receive in the womb, exactly because they are considered more dispensible.

[Tyler]

It seems a bit naive to suggest that stem cell research is "A sorry waste of resources and public and private funds". Breakthroughs in research come with time and work (and thus require funding). The scientific and medical potential offered by stem cell research cannot be ignored, and any progress obtained which would preserve the viability of a precious embryo should be accredited and given a change to further any obtainable advancements (for those opposed to stem cell research this could be concidered a compromise).

[Jerry Johnson]

Well, we can all sleep easy tonight knowing that the surplus embryos will not be harmed in any way, before they are destroyed.

To bad our president didn't follow the old saw, "Its better to be silent and allow others to think you a fool, than to open your mouth and prove them right."

[sam]

i think it somewhat silly that the gov't denies funding because of a religious interpretation of the science. people say their tax money shouldn't be used to support research they think is morally wrong. my tax money (and that of many others) is used to support things i morally object to. why should the objects of a "christian" be worth more than mine?

these embryos most likely will never be used to produce a child. using them to further understanding of medical problems seems a far less ethical issue than just tossing them in the trashcan.

[AF California]

Opinions vary, but I think that approval is only needed from the donating parties. Like with an organ donor card. If I die, and my organs can be of value to someone else, then I want to help someone even if I have not survived. If my wife and I need to create embryos, and more viable embryos were created than we would need then the remainders are just tissue of a mixed genetic blend. In my opinion not much different from having a lump removed. I presume that any tissue removed from me will be destroyed unless I desire otherwise or I give permission for further research or use of that tissue. Embryos have no nervous system so it can't feel. They have no sense of self; it does not suffer or feel joy. While not presuming to speak for my wife, I would have no trouble donating a part of me to develop the technology to help save or ease the suffering of a person in the future. While I speak for myself, I respect the opinions of other citizens of this country. If a significant percentage of people don't want their tax dollars spent on this technology then I think that the government is mandated to protect individuals so no one person can unwittingly contribute physically or monetarily to that kind of program

[modulus1319]

As others have stated above, the embryos will be destroyed anyway. So, we must give them a good death? Like sam said, they have no nervous system, and therefore, no feelings. If anything with a unique genetic code really had a sole, then murder is already being committed! And what about the many embryos that are created inside of women that don't survive due to imperfections in their reproductive organs? Should we start to obsess about them too? This is an issue that we must confront religious persons on. The secular world must heard on matters of superstition.

[Toasty87]

thats great!

[Living Cell Therapy]

I hope this is not a discussion of sentiments its science and technology, If the embryos are 'Safe' then its a great approach. Are we clear that they are perfect after the extrusion!

[Health at Work]

Hello excellent information but If the embryonic human being has rights, it has the right not to be used in this fashion; that the embryo isn't "destroyed" is not the line.

[breast augmentation surgery]

Well, we can all sleep easy tonight knowing that the surplus embryos will not be harmed in any way, before they are destroyed.

[cancer stem cells]

The cell extraction procedure is known from IVF work to render some percentage of embryos nonviable, though it does seem that embryos that do survive the procedure suffer no ill effect.

[Nervous System]

cool site, very nice information congratulations!!

[Muscle Fitness]

Thanks for the info....

[Generic Cialis Online]

Once I read a book that spoke and explained the functioning of stem cells in our body.