Let me start off by telling you what a Human Stem Cell (HSC) is. A HSC is a precursor cell that can give rise to multiple tissue types. HSC are broken down into Embryonic Stem Cells (ES), Embryonic Germ Cells (EG), fetal stem cells, and adult stem cells. In essence, the idea is that with further research, that scientists some day can basically clone healthy cells from these HSC that are organ specific and theoretically can heal diseased organs.

Lets’ take Diabetes as an example. Diabetes is a disease involving what is called the beta cells of the pancreas. These are the cells that produce Insulin. With these cells being diseased, no or limited Insulin is produced. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if through HSC research, it was possible to clone new beta cells and place them in your pancreas thereby returning normal function to your pancreas and curing your diabetes? I would say that most of you would give a resounding yes to that question. However, there are issues that need to be addressed.

HSC research with cells harvested from early human embryos raise ethical, religious, and governmental policy questions. There are various social, political, ethical and religious viewpoints that need to be considered in the discussions about the scientific use of tissue gotten from human embryos and fetuses.

That being said, HSC research holds tremendous potential in allowing us to understand basic human biology. No one can predict the outcome of this research. However, the research itself offers a real possibility of both treatments and cures for many different diseases that plague mankind. Especially diseases where adequate therapies are non existent.

Stem Cell research is not exactly new. Laboratory studies of animal stem cells have been going on since the 1960’s. These studies although not perfect have excited the scientific community of the possibilities that can occur with HSC research.

Because of research conducted with the animal stem cells, evidence exists that stem cells can be made to differential into cells of choice. Evidence also exists that these cells will act properly in their transplanted environment. For years now doctors have been transplanting blood producing stem cells into cancer patients. Also, fetal stem cells have been transplanted into the brains of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease with favorable responses. This fact was confirmed as late as 3-8-01 in an article on the newswire. However, I did see one article claiming some individuals had adverse effects to the transplanted stem cells in the brain. Not because they didn’t work, but because they worked too well producing too much of the needed neural transmitter.

There are people who are pro HSC research and some who against it. In May of 2000, celebrity Christopher Reeve before the U.S. Senate Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee said, "we must pursue research on embryonic stem cells. With the life expectancy of average Americans heading as high as 85-90 years, it is our responsibility to do everything possible to protect the quality of life of the present and future generations. A critical factor will be what we do with human embryonic stem cells. These cells have the potential to cure diseases and conditions ranging from Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis to diabetes and heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease, even spinal-cord injuries like my own. They have been called the body’s self-repair kit."

Here is what the scientific community is saying. Blood Weekly, June 15, 2000 p. 16 states Reprogrammed adult neural stem cells can potentially generate a cornucopia of cell trypes-giving rise to cells in heart, liver, muscle, intestine, and other tissues. The most important scientific advance of 1999, according to the journal Science, was the progress scientists made towards controlling how human HSC, extraordinary cells capable of giving rise to all other cells in our bodies, assume their identities.

Pope John Paul II said on August 29^th, 2000 that any research that results in the death or injury of a human embryo is not morally acceptable even though the work may eventually offer important medical boons. Despite the papal condemnation, scientists say it cannot be abandoned because it could lead to such great medical benefits for millions of patients.

So if this is such a good thing, what is all the fuss about. Obviously, this is something that can help mankind and should be pursued, right? There are tremendous moral and ethical implications here. "The 14,000 member Christian Medical Association urged Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to take a stand against destructive human embryo research and enforce the clearly expressed will of Congress, stand firm on vital ethical principles, and make a strong statement to the scientific community and the public that this Administration will pursue all and only ethical means to find cures for disease." They go on to say "that destroying human embryos by extracting stem cells is not only unethical but also unnecessary."

Judie Brown, president of the American Life League stated "But when the remedy (for cures) involves the intentional destruction of human lives, the cost of curing any disease can’t be justified." The moral issue is destroying a potential life. Here we have the same split as we do on abortion. There are those who believe strongly in Pro-Life and there are those who believe strongly in Pro-Choice. Of note: the author is simply presenting the facts and will keep his personal views to himself.

The issue is how do we obtain the embryos so that we can harvest HSC. Currently, the most abundant supply comes from frozen embryos in fertility clinics. For the most part, couples who can not conceive a child on their own turn to fertility specialist to help them have a child. It is not uncommon for couples like this to have a reserve of embryos that are kept frozen. Once the couple conceives, these embryos are either thrown out or used for experimental purposes.

Those in favor of HSC research do not see anything wrong in using those embryos for research purposes. They say that they are going to be thrown out anyway so why not use them for something good. Those against are saying that destroying the embryo in any way is destroying a potential human being.

Those against this kind of research are also afraid that embryos will be created solely for research purposes. They are afraid that women will sell their eggs for profit, thus willingly destroying a potential human being. They are afraid that a black market would be created for these embryos putting women at risk of slavery to produce embryos.

Many questions arise from this issue. Should we? Shouldn’t we? It runs very deep. You need to make up your own mind on these issues.

Let me confuse the picture even further. HSC can be harvested from sources other than embryos. That is right. Scientist can harvest HSC from adults, from umbilical cords, and from placentas.

So why are some so adamant that we use HSC’s from embryos. Their position is that the stem cell is at its most primitive form in the embryo therefore having the optimal capability to differential into the cell/tissue type that is needed. Biologically this is true. The earlier you harvest the stem cell the better it can differential into other cells.

We don’t know right now however if potential treatment would be better with HSC’s from embryos or adults or placentas or umbilical cords. We do know that there are logical issues with using adult stem cells. They would have to be harvested from the individual, and then cultured in the laboratory and then reintroduced into the patient. Logically, this is time consuming and may not be beneficial to the patient. Also, adult stem cells have a more limited potential than embryo stem cells.

Some however make the argument those different types or sources of stem cells may be optimal for treatment of specific conditions. In order to determine the very best source of many of the specialized cells and tissues of the body for new treatments and even cures, it is vitally important to study the potential of the stem cells from all the sources and compare them.

Currently, there is a hot debate over whether or not the U.S. Government (National Institute of Health) should fund HSC research because of the moral and ethical concerns I listed above. US Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson told a Senate committee recently the he is troubled by a law that bans federal financing of promising research using embryos. Only time will tell how this will end.

Will the federal government fund research using human embryos? I can’t answer that. I do know that if they don’t, the research will be significantly slowed, as the private sector will have to fund the research. Research is currently going on with regards to stem cells taken from placentas, umbilical cord blood and adults.

Are the social concerns I listed above important enough to stop this research? I’m simply presenting you with the facts, you need to decide. But I would love to know what you are thinking. Let me know. E-mail me at disabledpersos@aol.com.