A New Technique for Stem Cells?
Embryonic stem cell research is a hot topic right now. It causes the abortion issue to rise to the top in new language. Stem cell research, in and of itself, is not bad; but embryonic stem cell research causes human children to be killed. For a long time, adult stem cells have shown much more promise in curing diseases, while embryonic stem cells have shown none.
However, a new technique is being worked on in Japan that may end the argument altogether. Please read the following article from the Buffalo News opinion page. It is well-written and balanced.
The most recent development in stem cell research gives rise to hope that the ethical and moral dilemma arising from embryonic stem cell use can be put aside, and that people suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other life-disabling diseases can some day benefit.
An easy-to-use technique for reprogramming a skin cell of a mouse back to the embryonic state has been discovered. According to reports, if the technique can be adapted to human cells, researchers could use a patient’s skin cells to generate new heart, liver or kidney cells that might be transplanted and not rejected by the patient’s immune system.
The news also has given rise to cautions from the medical community. Scientists say they cannot predict when they can overcome the considerable problems in adapting the method to human cells. To do so requires much more research.
The new technique developed by Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University relies on inserting only four genes into a skin cell. Many see that as a much-preferred alternative to the previous way of converting adult cells to embryonic form by nuclear transfer, or the insertion of an adult cell nucleus into an egg whose own nucleus has been removed.
Work on embryonic stem cells has opened a deep gulf between those who oppose the harvesting of such cells from human embryos and those who want to see embryonic stem cell research enhanced. To be fair, embryonic stem cells have offered no new therapies to date. That distinction still is held by research involving adult stem cells.
However, work has continued in the embryonic stem cell arena through privately funded research in this country and government-funded research in others. The House of Representatives recently passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, 247 to 176, which would expand research funding and scientists’ access to embryonic stem cell lines. A similar stem cell research bill passed last year, but now that Democrats are in the majority this is a renewed effort to send a message and perhaps override the expected veto from President Bush, who will allow research only on existing lines. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, will lead the charge to override the expected veto.
As Americans live longer, any advancement that would lead to better treatment or even a cure for major diseases will be an immense benefit. Any path that speeds past the moral thickets en route to that benefit deserves pursuing, and this new method could prove promising.
