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Zhao Ethic Sym 2009 For Notes
Zhao Ethic Sym 2009 For Notes
Xinyu Zhao PhD Assistant Professor UNM School of Medicine Department of Neuroscience
Human embryonic stem cells isolated from blastocyst stage human embryos Cloning by somatic nuclear transfer
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin cells.
Totipotent Totipotent
Embryonic stem cells: near indefinite self-renewal Adult stem cells: limited self-renewal
.Embryonic stem cells: differentiate into all cell types in an organism Adult stem cells: differentiate into restricted cells types.
Embryonic stem cells are readily to change upon stimulation Adult cells emphasize on stability and need to be activated by cues, e.g. injuries.
Source of ES cells
Pluripotent ES cells
Human blastocyst
Inner cell mass
Human ES cells
Differentiation
ES cells
Basic Knowledge of Human Development Models of Human Disease Transplantation-Cell Replacement Drug Development Organogenesis
Therapeutic cloning: Studying Mechanisms of Diseases Human ES Cells: Studying the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
Example: ALS
Not This
Human embryonic stem cells isolated from blastocyst stage human embryos Cloning by somatic nuclear transfer
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin cells.
induced pluripotent cells (iPSC) A combination of several genes can re-program skin fibroblasts into pluripotent cells
Reprogramming
Why iPSC can not replace ESC research:
1) Studying ESCs is critical for understanding iPSCs 2) iPSCs are induced by cancer genes therefore hinder their use for therapies
(Takahashi and Yamanaka Cell 2007, Yu Science 07, Cowan Science 07, Wernig Nature 07, Okita Nature 07)
Human embryonic stem cells isolated from blastocyst stage human embryos Cloning by somatic nuclear transfer
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin cells.
People in the US affected by diseases that may be helped by stem cell research
Condition Number of Persons Affected Cardiovascular diseases 58 Million Autoimmune diseases 30 Million Diabetes 16 Million Osteoporosis 10 Million Cancer 8.2 Million Alzheimer's disease 4 Million Parkinson's disease 1.5 Million Burns (severe) 0.3 Million Spinal cord injuries 0.25 Million Birth defects 150,000 (per year) Total 128.4 Million -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Data from the Patients' Coalition for Urgent Research, Washington, DC (according to Perry, Ref. 267).
In the case of embryonic stem cell research, the end that scientists hope to achieve is the relief of human suffering. That this is a humanitarian and worthy end is not in dispute. The controversy is about the means, namely, the consumption of donated embryos. -- ISSCR website on stem cell ethics
Routine emphasis by principle investigators Emphasis by funding agencies Classes and seminars
Understand the importance of research Understand that scientists are under ethical guidance
Useful Resources
National Institute of Health resource for stem cells (http://stemcells.nih.gov)
International Society for Stem Cell Research:
Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (www.isscr.org)
On March 9, 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 13505, entitled "Removing Barriers to Responsible Research Involving Human Stem Cells."
Thank you !