Assignment 16 - Maddie Klumb

Whether or not we all like studying it, we can agree science has a major impact on our lives. For example, the field of embryonic stem cell research is quickly advancing and making new discoveries. Substantial progress is being made toward finding the cure to cancer, or to growing new organs to use for transplants and testing, or to finding the solution to diabetes. Cures to such ailments would save many lives, and end the suffering of many others. However, such research is expensive to conduct and restrictions on the allocation of federal funds can make it hard for research institutions to focus on finding these cures. Federal funding to embryonic stem cell research in America must be expanded to allow for discoveries to continue improving the lives of the public.

Embryonic stem cells are the grouping of cells in the blastocyst that forms a few days after fertilization of an egg.  They possess the unique ability to divide exponentially without forming tumors. When properly studied, this trait could lead researchers to the long awaited cure to cancer. These cells are also extremely useful to the scientific community because they don't have restrictions on the types of cells they can become. Able to differentiate into any cell type in the human body, scientists have begun looking at ways to use these cells to grow organs in the lab.

With the aid of federal funding, scientists in the United Kingdom successfully created a layer of heart tissue in a petri dish with embryonic stem cells. Beyond the specialization of these cells, the scientists were able to make the cells beat resembling a slow heartbeat. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the testing of medicines. Using this new technology, scientists can now directly observe the effects of multiple medicines on the heart without doing invasive animal or human trials. Producing whole organs is becoming closer to a scientific reality than science fiction. Organs made in the lab could one day be used in life-saving transplants.

Researchers like Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University are using embryonic stem cells to find cures to spinal chord injuries. Dr. Kessler entered this field of research after his daughter suffered a neck injury and was paralyzed from the waist down. He turned to his research to find a way to cure her injuries and the injuries of others like her. Dr. Kessler and the Northwestern team conducted an experiment to reconstruct the spinal chord of a mouse. Mice with spinal injuries impairing the use of their hind legs were given a treatment of embryonic stem cells created in the lab. The hope was the stem cells would transform into those of the spinal chord and reconstruct the damaged chord. After several weeks of treatment, the injured mice showed improved and recovered motor skills. In the future, this technology may be used to allow people suffering from spinal injuries to regain use of their bodies and walk again.

However, scientists must do more than focus on discoveries. As the public becomes more informed of scientific advancements, their opinions have grown more pronounced. These opinions are voiced not only by the general public but also by politicians and prominent social figures. Often falling on opposing sides, the discussions surrounding controversial research, like that of embryonic stem cells, is becoming toxic.

Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because of the source of the cells. Stem cells are collected from blastocysts that are only a few days old. The source of most of these cells is donations of embryos leftover from in-vitro fertilization. If these cells aren't donated they would die in storage or be destroyed.  Unfortunately, the collection process of stem cells means the blastocyst is unable to continue developing. Many people dislike this process because of that outcome, as they see it as a needless destruction of life. The other side argues that the potential discovery of cures outweighs the costs.

In 2001, President Bush decided the public discussions warranted a change to the means of funding embryonic stem cell research. There is an American law preventing the use of federal funds to create or destroy a human embryo. Before 2001, the scientific community widely accepted stem cell research was eligible for federal funds because the cells are not embryos. Bush changed this by extending the Congressional ban on funding to include stem cell research. In addition to federal restrictions, every publicly funded institution is subject to restrictions by their state and local governments.

The federal restriction prohibits the use of laboratory equipment (microscopes, petri dishes, beakers, etc.), supplies, or facilities to conduct research involving embryonic stem cells. As a compromise, Bush allowed funded research of 22 lines of cells to continue. While federal funds can be used on these lines, they cannot be used to create new lines of stem cells. Because the same lines have been used since 2001, they are becoming diluted and less useful. With worn out cell lines, public and federal institutions like the National Institutes of Health are unable to fully explore the promising future of embryonic stem cells.

Because of the restrictions on funding and political and public anger, researchers are making tough decisions. According to National Geographic, many scientists with promising research involving embryonic stem cells are relocating. But they're not just moving out of town or to a different state - they are moving to other countries. Countries that provide better funding programs than America. Countries where the public is more accepting of embryonic stem cell research. The new environment allows the scientists to receive the support they require to find cures to ailments like cancer and organ failure.

I ask you, if you could cure someone's cancer, or give someone a life-saving organ transplant, or allow them to walk again, would you? I believe the cures to cancer, organ failures, spinal injuries, and diabetes will be found in the next few decades through embryonic stem cell research. However, if we don't make funding for this research more accessible in the United States, and with less strings attached, that time estimate will only continue to lengthen. Lifting the ban on federal funding and changing public discussions of embryonic stem cells can improve the lives of those currently suffering. America is missing out, and if we don't make a change soon we might lose a lot more than opportunity.

Works Cited

Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita. Public Broadcasting service. PBS, Arlington. Oct. 2007. Chicago International Film Festival.

“What are Embryonic Stem Cells.” Stem Cell Information. National Institutes of Health, 17 June 2015. Web. 20 June 2016.

Bjo ̈rn Behr, M.D. Sae Hee Ko, M.D. Victor W. Wong, M.D. Geoffrey C. Gurtner, M.D. Michael T. Longaker, M.D., M.B.A. “Stem Cells.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Oct. 2010: 1163-1171. Print.

Dunn, Kyla. “The Politics of Stem Cells.” NOVA. PBS, 1 Apr. 2005. Web. 20 June 2016.

McKie, Robin. "Heart Cells Beating in a Petri Dish Offer New Hope to Heart Patients." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 01 Feb. 2014. Web. 20 June 2016.

SciShow. “Stem Cells.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 June 2016.

Solomon, Susan. “The Promise of Research with Stem Cells.” TED. Edinburgh, Scotland. 27 June 2012. TED Talk.

Weiss, Rick. “The Stem Cell Divide.” National Geographic. July 2005. Print.