1. Jiménez 1
María S. Jiménez
Professor Donna Kulp
HCS 420.30
February 18, 2015
An Alternative to Cloning
There have been only two ways mentioned about how to produce human embryonic stem
cells. Now the third way is called “parthenogenesis”. Parthenogenesis is the term applied to an
egg that activates spontaneously on its own. Those are the eggs that commonly activate in
women and become tumors or cysts in the ovary. They form blastocysts with stem cells inside.
By activating these eggs artificially in the laboratory, they could be developed into the blastocyst
stage derived from stem cells. Using this technique could be a benefit for patients with Type 1
diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or frequent heart failure (Kearl, 2010).
The Dickey-Wicker appropriation bill rider was passed by Congress in 1996 (Kearl, 2010).
This bill rider prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using
appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in
which human research are destroyed (Assets, n.d.). The bill rider contains a lump of embryo
research including parthenogenesis. Therefore, parthenogenesis, like the rest of the embryo
research, has not been able to advance. Scientists hope to have the word parthenogenesis
removed from the law so funds can be provided to continue with the study. The study had
unfolded ethical concerns, but according to researchers, these embryos do not have any potential
to develop. There are 100 million people in the United States that might benefit from stem cell
therapy.

2. Jiménez 2
References
Kearl, M. Dickey-Wicker Amendment, 1996. (2010, Aug 27). Embryo Project Encyclopedia.
Retrieved from http://embryo.asu.edu/pages/dickey-wicker-amendment-1996
NOVA|An alternative to cloning. (2005). NOVA.
Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/alternative-cloning.html
Stem cell research: Ethical issues- Open CRC. (n.d.). Assets. Retrieved from
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33554_20060728.pdf