Stem Cell Research Neha Gupta and Regina Benson

Slide 001

Stem Cells in the News• "We still don't know what the deal is what that

thing in Bush's back, but I tell you, if God has a sense of humor, it is something that can only be cured with stem cell research." -Bill Maher, on the bulge in Bush's back during the first presidential debate

• "The reason the Democrats are so intent on passing a stem-cell bill is they're depending on the research to grow themselves a spine."

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Presentation Outline

• Introduction to Stem Cell Science– Embryonic stem cell– Adult stem cells

• Current Research• Current US & State Policies• Ethical Issues

Stem Cells Basics

• Potential to develop into many different cell types in the body

• Internal repair system in many tissues

• Types of stem cells: -Embryonic stem cells -Somatic (adult) stem cells -Induced Pluripotent stem cells

• Much work remains to be done in labs and clinics to understand how these cells can be used for cell-based therapies to treat disease

Producing embryonic stem cells

• Source of embryonic stem cells– Derived from embryos of in vitro fertilized eggs with the informed

consent of the donors– Derived from blastocysts

• Stem cells are grown and subcultured for many months• Transcription factors regulate differentiation• Examining the chromosomes under microscope• Tests to identify human embryonic stem cell• Testing for pluripotency

– Using Immunosuppression mouse model

Embryonic stem cells stimulated to differentiate

Adult Stem Cells Basics

• Undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ

• Primary role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue where they are found

• Origin of these stem cells in some mature tissues is still under investigation

• Bone marrow has two kinds of stem cells: -Hematopoietic stem cells -Mesenchymal stem cells

Adult Stem Cell Differentiation

Stem Cell Media

• Heart Tissue Generation Youtube video• Doctor injected MS sufferers with cow ste

m cells• Much work remains to be done in labs and

clinics to understand how these cells can be used for cell-based therapies to treat disease

Examples of Clinical Research• Over 140 clinical trials are ongoing• Embryonic Stem Cells

– Geron has FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial of embryonic stem cells for spinal cord injury

• Adult Stem Cells– Stemedica has clearance for the treatment of ischemic

stroke with bone marrow-derived stem cells (adult human)

US Legislation • Little Federal Regulation

• “Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells”– Signed March 9, 2009 by President Obama– Covered federal funding of stem cell research– Revoked two items from President Bush

• The presidential statement of August 9, 2001• Executive Order 13435 of June 20, 2007• Set 3 criteria for funding

• Stem cell research policy on a state level

State Legislation

• Stem cell research policy on a state level– Most states neither

permit or prohibit• States can also

provide funding for research– Massachusetts

funding - $1 Billion– California funding- $3

Billion

History of Stem Cell Legislation

Modified from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_Cell_Research_Enhancement_Act

Recent Legal Case• Advocates International vs. Health and Human Services

Secretary and director of the National Institute of Health – Violates Dickey-Wicker appropriations provision– Obama’s recent guideline funds unnecessary destruction of

human embryos– Embryo discarded from IVF clinics are in need of “biological or

adoptive parents”• Case was recently dismissed by US District Court Judge

Ethical Debate – Both SidesArguments For Arguments Against

Life does not begin until14 days after fertilization

Alternatives like adult stem cells which have already produced a therapy are better

An example is that when two individual twins come from an Embryo

Researchers are halting the growth of blastocyst which is like taking away human’s life

Ethical Considerations

• Adult stems cells are not an issue• Embryonic stem issues

– When does human life begin?• Blastocyst?• Embryo?• Fetus?

Ethical and Social Issues

• How far should researchers take stem cell techniques?• Should the government provide funding for embryonic

stem cell research? Why? Why not?• Should there be laws to regulate stem cell research?• Do embryonic stem cells represent a human life?• Should frozen embryos created through in vitro

fertilization be used to create stem cells?

References• NIH Resource for Stem Cell Information

– http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/health.asp• National Conference of State Legislation

– http://www.ncsl.org/issuesresearch/health/embryonicandfetalresearchlaws/tabid/14413/default.aspx

• Stateline.org• International Society for Stem Cell Research

http://www.isscr.org/public/regions/states.cfm#About