In the coming weeks and months both state and federal legislative bodies will consider various laws to regulate the rapidly advancing fields of biology and medicine – with particular attention being paid to the field of stem cell research. Congress is currently debating legislation that would ease federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. President Bush is opposed to the legislation, so supporters of the bill are hoping to raise enough votes to override a presidential veto.
Stem cell research is a complicated and multi-faceted issue that cannot be adequately explained in a sixty-second sound bite. However it seems as though many Americans have based their understanding of the issue on such news briefs. Stem cell research has many moral and scientific consequences. As such, it is crucial that we have a well-informed understanding of the issue.
Embryonic stem cell research is not illegal, however in August of 2001 President Bush issued an executive order limiting federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In the last election California voters authorized the issuance of billions of dollars worth of bonds to fund embryonic stem cell research. The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative will cost taxpayers in the already debt-laden state six billion dollars over a period of 30 years (half that sum will go to pay the interest on the debt). Recently the state of New Jersey announced it was setting aside $10.5 million in state funds for stem cell research.
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different kinds of cells and thus can be used to repair damaged tissue. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. There are two basic types of stems cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are extracted from fertilized eggs or embryos. When the stem cells are removed the embryo is destroyed, raising a variety of ethical concerns. Adult stem cells, however, can be safely extracted from various places in the human body, such as fatty tissue, blood, and bone marrow.
Many scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research will result in miracle cures to some of our most devastating diseases, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. In laboratory research using rodents the embryonic stem cells either caused tumors or were rejected by the tissue. This has caused many scientists to look to therapeutic cloning as a source for compatible stem cells. Despite their touted potential, it could be years before embryonic stems cells can be used to effectively treat disease. While the debate rages over the ethical and moral objections to embryonic stem cell research, adult stem cells have proven to be more versatile than originally thought and have been successfully used to treat over 100 different diseases and injuries.
There is a great deal of confusion and misinformation surrounding stem cell research. It seems as though most individuals do not fully understand the facts or the long term implications. Many misconceptions about stem cell research have arisen because both Congress and the public have relied on the media for their information. Yet most journalists tend to overlook many of the important scientific and ethical aspects of the issue. The pubic is instead given an oversimplified and often distorted version of the truth.
The media debate is framed so it appears to be a simple choice between using leftover embryos from in-vitro fertilization procedures for research or discarding them, and whether to use federal tax money to fund the research. Who could argue with research to help those suffering with degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and diabetes? There are so many people fighting these tragic disabilities that the promise of healing offered by this research is a poignant argument in favor of pursuing the technology. However it is not so simple. There are still many questions that need to be answered. When does life begin: at conception, in the womb, or at birth? If we allow embryos to be destroyed for the greater good, then why waste aborted fetuses when they can be used for research? If we are going to clone embryos as a source of compatible stem cells, why not clone fetuses for not just individual cells, but also tissues and body parts? If these forms of human life are destined to die anyway and can save another life, then why not harvest organs from death row inmates like the Chinese do? Where do we ultimately draw the line?
