Stem cells can develop into many different types of cells and have potential to treat various diseases. There are two main sources of stem cells - adult stem cells found in tissues like blood and embryonic stem cells from early stage embryos. Embryonic stem cells can become any cell type but their use is controversial due to religious beliefs against embryo destruction. Adult stem cells are more limited in what they can become and harder to culture. While stem cell research offers hope for new treatments, it also involves ethical debates around religion, politics, and funding of research using embryonic stem cells.

1. Stem Cell Research(Robinson 2006)

2. What is a stem cell?Stem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms that are able to renew themselves and produce specific characteristics and functions based on their potential and source.There are two sources of stem cells:Human Adult Stem Cells (ASC’s)Human Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC’s)Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC’s)These are cells that are genetically modified to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Within these two types, there are four types of cells:Totipotent – early stages of embryonic development, ability to become a complete organismPluripotent – Can become any type of cell other than embryonic structuresMultipotent – Come from pluripotent cells that can become blood, heart, and muscle cells.Unipotent– Can only become one specific single cell.

3. What is the potential benefits of these cells?Can help to treat:Lou Gehrig diseaseDeaminase DeficiencyImmunodeficiencyMetabolic defectsDown SyndromeLeukemiaHuntington diseaseMuscular Dystrophy70 million with Cardiovascular disease50 million with autoimmune disease18 million with diabetes10 million with cancer4.5 million with Alzheimer’s disease1 million with Parkinson’s disease1.1 million with burns and wounds0.15 million with medullary lesions(Global Grind 2010)ESC’s

4. Human Embryonic Stem Cells are used in 13% of cell therapy proceduresFetal Stem Cells are used in 2%Umbilical cord stem cells in 10%Adult stem cells in 75%The most relevant applications have been cardiovascular and ischemic diseases, diabetes, hematopoietic diseases, liver diseases and orthopedics.

5. Controversy of the ResearchReligion“The Catholic Church is against embryonic stem-cell research because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Pope John Paul II said embryonic stem-cell research is related to abortion, euthanasia and other attacks on innocent life.” (O’Brien 2011)Religion plays a big part in the decision of whether a person supports or opposes stem cell research.When someone with a religious view opposing abortion is asked about stem cell research there is a very good chance that they will oppose it as well.The difference between the importance or research and reproduction, the purpose for which the embryos have been created, is a heated issue in federal funding, policy creation as well as federal law making.Religious values will always be involved in the world of stem cell research.

6. ESC’s vs. ASC’sHuman stem cells tend to be more ethically, socially, religiously and legally acceptable than embryonic stem cells since they aren’t derived from the embryo after fertilization either In Vitro (in the body) or In Vivo (out of the body).Scientists believe that tissues derived from embryonic and adult stem cells may differ in the likelihood of being rejected after transplantation.Adult stem cells are currently believed to be less likely to be rejected than ESC’s.Human Adult stem cells can be obtained without harm from umbilical cord, infants, children, and adults while the method that embryonic stem cells are obtained ruins the fertilized embryo.Embryonic stem cells can become all types of cells (pluripotent). Adult stem cells have a limited number of differentiating potential. ESC’s are easy to grow in culture, while ASC’s are harder to isolate and don’t grow as well in culture.Fertility clinics worldwide throw out more than 400,000 embryos per year because they sit in a freezer unused for so long.ASC’sESC’s

7. PoliticsPresidents in the past have cut funding based on their beliefs by allowing embryonic stem cell research on cells taken prior to 2001, but no new cells.President Bush, during his time in office, said, “I also believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator. I worry about a culture that devalues life, and believe as your President I have an important obligation to foster and encourage respect for life in America and throughout the world. And while we're all hopeful about the potential of this research, no one can be certain that the science will live up to the hope it has generated…I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these existing stem cell lines, where the life and death decision has already been made.”In May of 2009 this all changed by President ObamaThis is the video of President Obama signing an executive order supporting the release of new embryonic stem cell lines as well as approving $21 million in funding.

8. Pricing of Current Stem Cell TherapyThis chart shows the revenue created by Stem Cell therapy as well as other types of regenerative medicine within the field.Currently, a cell therapy treatment may cost more than $40,000.This is due to the individuality of each drug product produced for stem cell therapy.The cost includes multiple surgical procedures, maintenance of strict sterile conditions, specific training for staff and overall technical and staff support.

9. Success stories This boy suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia and after being treated with cord blood from his brother, his cells were repaired and his red blood count became normal.

10. Can there be a balance?The Science of Stem CellsFinding Cures AND Protecting LifeCan there ever be a separation between this research, religion and politics?(debateitout.com, pre-Obama)(Pharmacyescrow.com)

11. Success stories This is a case where the Temporomandibular joint in the jaw was recreated for people who have lost it through disease or injury. This is a video of the Biomedical Engineer at Columbia University who did it using stem cells.

12. Moving ForwardIn November 2004, California approved funding for the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved the first clinical trial of products derived from human embryonic stem cells in acute spinal cord injuries. Also have created a regulatory system for cell and tissue based products:“Prevention of use of contaminated tissues or cells (such as AIDS or hepatitis)Prevention of inadequate handling or processing that may damage or contaminate those tissues or cellsClinical safety of all tissues or cells that may be processed, used for functions other than normal functions, combined with components other than tissues, or used for metabolic purposes.”

13. Other resourcesCreating cardiac tissue from stem cellsRegenerating a rat's heart from stem cellsA mechanical gun that evenly distributes skin stem cells onto a burn victim.Trachea grown from one's own stem cells.

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