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Stem Cells:
A Mini-Primer
by Brandon Jubar
August 15, 2001
Here's a major problem with the stem cell research debate: with
thousands of gigawatts of "star power" touting the potential "miracle
cures" to be gained through the study of embryonic stem cells, the public is being
blinded by the light. When the extremely popular Michael J. Fox, struck with
Parkinson's at an early age, takes the stand at a congressional hearing, you can feel
the sympathy in the room. Add to that the likes of Mary Tyler Moore (afflicted with
diabetes) and Christopher Reeves (the former Superman, now paraplegic due to an equestrian
accident) and sympathy becomes outrage! How could anyone even think
of denying these wonderful people the possibility of a cure?!
As I watch, I wonder what these "stars" are thinking. Have they
really examined the entire range of stem cell research and decided that embryonic stem
cells are the only ones which hold any hope for them? Before we proceed, perhaps we
should spend a moment briefly explaining what a stem cell actually is...
What's A Stem Cell, Anyway?
Stem cells are known as "undifferentiated" cells. This
means that they have not yet begun to develop into specific cell types. These
"precursor cells", if you will, can develop into "differentiated"
tissues, such as muscle, bone, skin or even nerves. It is believed that stem cell
research may lead to major strides in improving the treatment of many debilitating
and/or terminal conditions. Preliminary indications are that stem cell research may
hold the key to treating an incredible array of conditions, including cancer, diabetes,
heart disease, Parkinson's and even Alzheimer's.
Stem cell therapy would consist of taking stem cells, implanting them in the
patient and causing them to differentiate in such a way as to produce the desired
cells. In this way, the afflicted cells could basically be replaced with new
cells. In fact, French doctors recently used such
a treatment to save a cardiac patient. The stem cells were
transformed into contracting heart muscle cells and injected into the man's heart, where
they quickly thrived and multiplied. This therapy, combined with bypass surgery,
dramatically improved the man's condition.
Common Myth-understandings
| Myth: |
Stem cells are only found in human embryos. |
| Fact: |
Stem cells are simply undifferentiated cells, and they are being
found in virtually every tissue of the body. Much of the current stem cell research
involves other animals (rats, cows) or the harvesting of what are being referred to as
"adult" stem cells.
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| Myth: |
"Adult" stem cells have a mere
fraction of the potential of embryonic stem cells and are therefore not worth researching. |
| Fact: |
"Adult" stem cell research has been extremely successful,
and some therapies using adult stem cells are set for clinical human trials in the very
near future. One factor is that the transformed stem cells taken from the patient
receiving the therapy seem to be readily accepted by the body. In fact, the treatment for
the heart patient, mentioned earlier, utilized stem cells taken from the
man's thigh muscle. Embryonic stem cells, on the other hand, have had catastrophic
effects due to being rejected by the patient's body.
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| Myth: |
Embryonic stem cells are going to yield "miracle cures"
because they are so incredibly versatile -- unlike "adult" stem cells. |
| Fact: |
It is very difficult to control the differentiation of embryonic
stem cells. The potential for them to explode into a cancerous mass after being
transplanted has many researchers worried. In spite of recent advances, the death of
a Parkinson's patient in China back in 1996 still gives many people cause to pause.
After receiving a cellular graft of fetal and embryonic stem cells, the man improved
briefly, then died suddenly. The autopsy revealed that his death was caused by the
sudden growth of bone, skin and hair within his brain. The stem cells had
differentiated... into several different non-neural tissues.
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| Myth: |
Human embryos are still the most plentiful source
of stem cells. |
| Fact: |
Umbilical cord blood, which is usually discarded at birth, contains
large amounts of stem cells. Given that there are over 4 million births each year in
the United States alone, this is a tremendous supply.
And speaking of tremendous supplies... recent studies have shown that human fatty
tissue contains an excellent supply of highly usable stem cells!
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A Pro-Choice Issue?
The topic of stem cell research is not really an abortion issue -- the embryos
are not the product of abortion -- so why have the "pro-choicers" taken a stand?
The answer is relatively simple: with the "star power" mentioned
above, it is an easy way to make the "right-to-life" crowd look insensitive and
uncaring. I mean, let's face it -- people find it very difficult to have sympathy
for a little glob of cells, yet incredibly easy to have sympathy for Michael J. Fox, Mary
Tyler Moore and Christopher Reeves. Only the most insensitive, uncaring,
super-rigid, and ultra-conservative people (read "right-to-lifers") would
propose that the rights of a tiny glob of cells take precedence over helping to find cures
for these fine, fine people.
Simply stated, the involvement by members of the Pro-Choice movement is merely a
tactic for making the Right-to-Life movement look crass and uncaring. No where have
I read anything suggesting that Pro-Choicers advocate using abortion as a means to supply
researchers with embryonic stem cells.
Respect for the Body
Stem cell research, in all of its many forms, is most definitely a
"life" issue. Finding cures for often debilitating and potentially fatal
conditions has a great deal to do with maintaining a good quality of life, which is itself
directly related to the sanctity of every life. It is expected that we will care for
our bodies and repair them whenever we are able.
It is important that we respect our bodies, for they have been created by God
and, together with our soul, create the "unity" that is a human being.
Thus it is that we are truly the "image and likeness of God", for our true being
is a single entity created through a unifying of the spiritual and the purely physical.
Though our souls will be separated from our bodies at the moment of our death,
the two shall be reunited by God on the last day. With this promise, we can conclude
that, after "judgment day", our souls may spend the rest of eternity somehow
unified once again with our physical bodies. Therefore, it behooves us to respect,
honor and heal our bodies. Stem cell research need not violate any of these.
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