STEM CELL RESEARCH

What You Need To Know

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network
Outline of This Presentation
Stem cell research

The nature and promise of stem cell

research

The ethical debate

Funding and regulation

How can I become an advocate?

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are the raw material from which

all of the body’s mature, differentiated cells
are made. Stem cells give rise to brain
cells, nerve cells, heart cells, pancreatic
cells, etc.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 What’s So Special About
Stem Cells?
• They have the potential to replace cell tissue that has
been damaged or destroyed by severe illnesses.

• They can replicate themselves over and over for a very

long time.

• Understanding how stem cells develop into healthy and

diseased cells will assist the search for cures.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Two Kinds of Stem Cells

Embryonic (also called “pluripotent”)

stem cells are capable of developing into
all the cell types of the body.

Adult stem cells are less versatile and

more difficult to identify, isolate, and
purify.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Embryonic Stem Cells:
Researchers extract stem cells from a 5-7 days old blastocyst.

Stem cells can divide in culture to form more of their own kind,
thereby creating a stem cell line.

The research aims to induce these cells to generate healthy

tissue needed by patients.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Two Sources of
Embryonic Stem Cells

1. Excess fertilized eggs from IVF (in-vitro

fertilization) clinics

2. Therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear

transfer)

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Tens of thousands of
frozen embryos are
routinely destroyed
when couples finish
their treatment.
These surplus
embryos can be used
to produce stem cells.
Regenerative
medical research
aims to develop these
cells into new, healthy
tissue to heal severe
illnesses.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Somatic Cell Nuclear
Transfer
The nucleus of a donated
egg is removed and replaced
with the nucleus of a mature,
"somatic cell" (a skin cell, for
example).
No sperm is involved in this
process, and no embryo is
created to be implanted in a
woman’s womb.
The resulting stem cells can
potentially develop into
specialized cells that are useful
for treating severe illnesses.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

In favor of ESCR:
The Ethical Debate
 Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) fulfills the ethical obligation to
alleviate human suffering.

 Since excess IVF embryos will be discarded anyway, isn’t it better that
they be used in valuable research?

 SCNT (Therapeutic Cloning) produces cells in a petri dish, not a

pregnancy.

Against ESCR:

 In ESCR, stem cells are taken from a human blastocyst, which is then
destroyed. This amounts to “murder.”

 There is a risk of commercial exploitation of the human participants in

ESCR.

 Slippery slope argument: ESCR will lead to reproductive cloning.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network
 Key Ethical Issues
The blastocyst used in stem cell research is
microscopically small and has no nervous
system. Does it count as a “person” who has a
right to life?

What do various religions say about when

personhood begins? Does science have a view
on this?

In a society where citizens hold diverse religious

views, how can we democratically make humane
public policy?

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

Funding and Regulation of
Stem Cell Research
Federal
State
International

At all three levels of government, the future of

stem cell research is insecure. The research is
strongly supported by scientists and very much
needed by patients.

On the other hand those who oppose the

research are well-funded and determined to
legislate it out of existence.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Federal Legislation

Government funding is prohibited for

research using cell lines developed
after Aug 9, 2001.

Efforts to regulate the research are

currently stalemated in Washington.

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 State Legislation

In 2003 there were 71 bills in 29

states

Legislation supporting therapeutic

cloning research has been passed in
California and New Jersey.

If it passes in November 2004, the

“California Stem Cell Research and
Cures Initiative” will provide $3 billion
over 10 years.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

International Legislation
Embryonic Stem cell research is highly
controversial not only in the United States
but worldwide.

In the past two years, many nations have

begun to tolerate, if not to support, the
research.

In the fall of 2004, the United Nations will

consider enacting a global ban on both
therapeutic and reproductive cloning.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

Stem Cell Research Worldwide

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 United Nations

In November 2003, a committee of the

General Assembly defeated by only one
vote a proposal to ban therapeutic cloning
research. The United States delegation
strongly supported this proposal.

In September 2004, the General Assembly

will again consider the proposal to ban the
research.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 What can I do?
BECOME INFORMED! Learn the facts about stem
cell research and its curative potential.

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research

www.stemcellfunding.org

Stem Cell Action Network (Education Page)

www.stemcellaction.org

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Inform Others
Contact patient and community groups and offer
to give a presentation like this one. Organize a
house party to help spread the word.

Offer to help someone else give this presentation.

Collect email addresses of supporters to be

added to SCAN’s mailing list. SCAN will send out
news bulletins and action alerts about pending
legislation.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 Inform Others (cont’d)
Arrange to meet with your political
representatives to discuss their support for stem
cell research.

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.

Find other like-minded people and work together.

Invite friends, colleagues, and caretakers of
patients to become involved.

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network

 BE SEEN!

BE HEARD!

BE IMPATIENT!

SCAN – Stem Cell Action Network