Stem Cell Research
1. DEFINITION
Below are definitions of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC): (1)
a) Stem Cells
·Unspecialised cells that are capable of developing into other specialised cells in the body eg. Blood or muscle cells.
·They can be used for growth or repair.
b) Embryonic Stem Cells
·Obtained from human embryos.
·Can develop into all cell types in the body.
c) Adult Stem Cells
·Located in many organs and tissues of the human body, where they replace cells that have died.
·They cannot develop into all types of cells in the body.
2. ARGUMENTS FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH
·Stem cells have the capacity to alleviate human suffering.
·Stem cells may have the ability to replace cells lost from diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, chronic heart disease, liver failure and cancer.
·When a patient undergoes a transplant from a donor organ, there is a risk of their body rejecting the organ. There is also a worldwide shortage of donor organs, despite growing demand.
·Stem cells could treat neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease . (2)
·So far, scientists have created blood, cardiac and muscle cells from embryonic stem cells . (3)
3. ARGUMENTS AGAINST STEM CELL RESEARCH
·The destruction of an embryo or foetus for stem cell research is unacceptable.
·The embryo or foetus has the potential to be a human being, it is life, therefore it is
Murder to destroy it.
·From the moment of conception this potential human is accorded the same rights as any other human.
·Embryonic stem cell research and cloning technologies have the ability to create a human clone, which is unacceptable.
·Adult stem cell research should be focussed on as providing the answer to alleviating human suffering, as opposed to embryonic stem cell research . (4)
4. AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL LEGISLATION
a) Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 (5)
·This Act was assented to on 19th December 2002.
·It is “an Act to regulate certain activities involving the use of human embryos, and for related purposes”.
·Its object is to “address concerns, including ethical concerns, about scientific developments in relation to human reproduction and the utilisation of human embryos by regulating activities that involve the use of certain human embryos created by assisted reproductive technology”.
·A person or body that is accredited to carry out ART may use excess embryos for stem cell research.
·Excess embryos are defined as those created through ART for use in reproductive treatment of a woman and is in excess needs of the woman and her spouse (if any) who it was created for.
·The woman and her spouse must give written permission for their embryo to be used for purposes other than ART.
·They must verify that the embryo is in excess to their needs at that time.
To read the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002, please visit:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/Act1.nsf/0/86499A7E3C1C4AACCA256F72000FA6D8/$file/1452002.pdf
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
a) To support stem cell research
·Research and educate yourself and others about the benefits of stem cell research.
·If you are undergoing IVF treatment, you can donate your excess embryos for stem cell research.
·Donate money to stem cell research, visit:
http://www.stemcellcentre.edu.au/research-development_donations.aspx
b) To oppose stem cell research
·Research and educate yourself and others about the immoral aspects of stem cell research.
·Lobby or contact your MP about the right to life, visit: http://www.rtlaust.com/how_and_why.htm
·Join in on events with the organisation ‘right to life Australia’, visit: http://www.rtlaust.com/newsletter.htm
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Stem cells, cloning and related issues – the basics,
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/_files/stemcells.pdf
Australian Government, biotechnology online, student worksheet, ethics of stem cell research
http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/pdf/human/stem_cell_ethics.pdfAustralian Stem Cells Centre, 2006
http://www.stemcellcentre.edu.au/research-development_research-projects-programs.aspx
Commonwealth of Australia, Attorney-General’s Department, Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 No. 145, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/Act1.nsf/0/86499A7E3C1C4AACCA256F72000FA6D8/$file/1452002.pdf
National Institutes of Health (2001) Department of Health and Human Services, Stem cells: Scientific progress and future research directions, executive summary.
(1) Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Stem cells, cloning and related issues – the basics pp. 1-2,
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/_files/stemcells.pdf
(2) This point and above points in section 2 from: National Institutes of Health (2001) Department of health and human services, Stem cells: Scientific progress and future research directions.
(3) Australian Stem Cells Centre, 2006,
http://www.stemcellcentre.edu.au/research-development_research-projects-programs.aspx
(4) This point and above in section 3 adapted from: Australian Government, biotechnology online, student worksheet, ethics of stem cell research: http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/pdf/human/stem_cell_ethics.pdf
(5) Commonwealth of Australia, Attorney-General’s Department, Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 No. 145, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/Act1.nsf/0/86499A7E3C1C4AACCA256F72000FA6D8/$file/1452002.pdf
