Stem Cell Stem Cell Research Research

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Background Information Benefits and drawbacksHow procedure is performed Science behind thisHow this improves are societySocial, political or ethical issues Canadian data

Background Background InformationInformationOne of the cells found in the human body is a One of the cells found in the human body is a

stem cell. They don't change but they can stem cell. They don't change but they can reproduce themselves, not only that but they reproduce themselves, not only that but they can make brain cells, muscle cells, lung cells can make brain cells, muscle cells, lung cells and more.and more.

Stem cells can be obtained in:Stem cells can be obtained in:

Bone marrow Bone marrow

Fat cells Fat cells

Umbilical cord blood Umbilical cord blood

Adult blood Adult blood

Olfactory nerve endings Olfactory nerve endings

Skin cellsSkin cells

Human embryoHuman embryo

BenefitsBenefitsSome of the areas that stem Some of the areas that stem cells can benefit include:cells can benefit include:

Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease

Type I diabetesType I diabetes

ArthritisArthritis

Burn victimsBurn victims

Cardiovascular diseasesCardiovascular diseases

Potential of reversing:Potential of reversing:

Genetic DefectsGenetic Defects

Heart Attack Heart Attack

Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease

In the last 20 years, more than 20,000

patients have received umbilical

cord blood transplants

Did you know?

DrawbacksDrawbacksAcquiring stem cells from a Acquiring stem cells from a human embryo is immensely human embryo is immensely unsavory. You must kill the unsavory. You must kill the embryo to obtain the stem cell. embryo to obtain the stem cell. A human embryo can also be A human embryo can also be titled as a baby in its first stage titled as a baby in its first stage of life. Though the child is in it's of life. Though the child is in it's first stage of life it is still terribly first stage of life it is still terribly wrong to kill the embryo. wrong to kill the embryo. Attaining stem cells through Attaining stem cells through fatty tissue, bone marrow, or the fatty tissue, bone marrow, or the umbilical cord after the birth of umbilical cord after the birth of the embryo can be done the embryo can be done decently, this way will cause no decently, this way will cause no damage to the individual.damage to the individual.

How is this procedure How is this procedure performedperformed

Embryonic stem cells from IVF embryos. Human embryonic stem cell lines can be derived from embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Usually, fertilization occurs within a woman's body, but IVF technology has made it possible to carry out fertilization and grow embryos in the laboratory.

This technology has made it possible for many otherwise infertile couples to have children. In many cases, however, not all of the embryos created will be used, and the remaining embryos are frozen and stored.

These embryos are potential resources for scientific research.

Science behind Science behind Stem CellsStem Cells

How stem cells are created:

1.Sperm and egg join

2.Embryo formed

3.Inner cell mass isolated

4.Single cell isolated

5.Cell introduced to growth medium

6.Cell divides, forming cell line

Ethical IssuesEthical IssuesOnly one way to obtain stem cells from Only one way to obtain stem cells from developing human embryo; killing embryodeveloping human embryo; killing embryo

Human embryo: innocent human being in its first Human embryo: innocent human being in its first stage of lifestage of life

Morally wrong to intentionally kill an innocent Morally wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being, including embryonic stage of human being, including embryonic stage of development.development.

Violates religious rules (Christian, Buddhist)- Violates religious rules (Christian, Buddhist)- violate principle that prohibits harm to living violate principle that prohibits harm to living thingsthings

Different religious leaders have different Different religious leaders have different opinions on what's right and what's wrong.opinions on what's right and what's wrong.

Some religions believe that human embryos are Some religions believe that human embryos are full-fledged human beings from the moment of full-fledged human beings from the moment of its creation and deserves protection and respectits creation and deserves protection and respect

Largest group, Roman Catholic churches as well Largest group, Roman Catholic churches as well as southern Baptists, conservative protestant as southern Baptists, conservative protestant churcheschurches

Some religious hold “certain amount of Some religious hold “certain amount of development” is needed to recognized as a development” is needed to recognized as a human beinghuman being

Social Issues Social Issues Better treatment give social benefits for Better treatment give social benefits for individuals and economic gains for societyindividuals and economic gains for society

Those believe can lead to progress and Those believe can lead to progress and medical discoveries that will help us all live medical discoveries that will help us all live longer, healthier liveslonger, healthier lives

Possibly can cure diseasesPossibly can cure diseases

For research: (use of “spare” human For research: (use of “spare” human embryos from IVF clinics)embryos from IVF clinics)

If IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is accepted, If IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is accepted, and unneeded embryos are disposed of and unneeded embryos are disposed of anyway, why not obtain them for stem cell anyway, why not obtain them for stem cell research?research?

Adult stem cells hold promise, but cannot Adult stem cells hold promise, but cannot take place of human embryonic stem cells take place of human embryonic stem cells because not all adult stem cells can be because not all adult stem cells can be found in every part of the body. In addition, found in every part of the body. In addition, adult stem cells are difficult to identify and adult stem cells are difficult to identify and isolateisolate

Help treat a range of medical problems Help treat a range of medical problems (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, stroke)stroke)

Political Issues Political Issues Scientist instead receive Scientist instead receive “leftovers” embryos from fertility “leftovers” embryos from fertility clinics with consent from donorsclinics with consent from donors

Federal government allocates Federal government allocates billions of dollars each year to billions of dollars each year to biomedical researchbiomedical research

Legislators have had unique Legislators have had unique challenge encouraging advances challenge encouraging advances in science and medicine while in science and medicine while preserving a respect for lifepreserving a respect for life

Ex: George Bush limited federal Ex: George Bush limited federal funding to a study of 70 or so funding to a study of 70 or so HES cell lines back in 2001HES cell lines back in 2001

Tries to make both sides happyTries to make both sides happy

Governments around globe have Governments around globe have passed legislation to regulate passed legislation to regulate stem cell researchstem cell research

Solutions Solutions A possible solution to the stem cell A possible solution to the stem cell controversy is that the government should controversy is that the government should put laws in order about abortion and if an put laws in order about abortion and if an embryo legally is considered a human embryo legally is considered a human being. As I believe if the government is being. As I believe if the government is involved it will put some issues to rest. involved it will put some issues to rest. Overall, this issue socially cannot be solved Overall, this issue socially cannot be solved as people are entitled to their own opinions. as people are entitled to their own opinions. I believe society should respect each others I believe society should respect each others opinion on the issue have aborting embryos opinion on the issue have aborting embryos for stem cell research purpose.for stem cell research purpose.

Canadian Canadian Research Research

McMaster's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI) explores the underlying cellular and molecular origins that initiate human cancer by employing human stem cells as a model system. The Institute's impressive shared facilities are designed to help mitigate the high cost of human stem cell research that has made entry into the field almost prohibitive for investigators in Canada.Our ground-breaking research complements the efforts of other stem cell programs and centres in Canada and around the world.