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October 2007 Issue
Stem-Cell Research
| Dr.
Jean Peduzzi-Nelson is clinical professor of medicine
and researcher at Wayne State University Medical School.
Her area of focus is adult stem cells for the regeneration
of spinal cord and brain tissue. FAITH asked her to
share her insight into the political and scientific
issues of this volatile subject: |
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FAITH: What is the truth
about the potential for adult stem cells to cure injuries
and disease as opposed to embryonic stem cells? In the U.S.,
because of the media, people are under the impression that
embryonic stem cells have the most potential to provide cures.
But in the scientific community, we know that adult stem cells
inherently have advantages that make them safer and more effective.
In fact, when I read the science I can’t understand how the
idea of embryonic stem cells has gotten so big. For example,
since adult stem cells come from the body of the person who
receives them, there’s no risk of rejection and the chances
of complications are minimized. There’s also no limit to the
number of cells available to a person who is treated with
stem cells that come from his own body. Also, we know that
embryonic stem cells can over-mature – they grow too much
and can cause tumors. And finally, with embryonic cells, you
don’t know about any potential disease the cells might carry.
So the truth is that adult stem cells present a safe, plentiful
and promising source of regenerative tissue. Dr. Jean Peduzzi-Nelson
is clinical professor of medicine and researcher at Wayne
State University Medical School. Her area of focus is adult
stem cells for the regeneration of spinal cord and brain tissue.
FAITH asked her to share her insight
into the political and scientific issues of this volatile
subject: As far as how these cells work in the body, there
is no difference between the process used for embryonic or
adult stem cells. You take stem cells from the body, “grow
them up” to be mature so that they multiply, and then you
inject the growing bundle of cells into the body so that they
can become whatever type of tissue is needed for healing or
to battle disease.
FAITH: Are adult stem cells
being used yet in the U.S.? Yes, the Food and Drug Administration
has approved adult stem cells as treatment for certain kinds
of cancer and other specific diseases. There are now some
70 uses for adult stem cells in the U.S. Unlike some countries,
our government is very careful not to approve a form of treatment
until there is solid science to prove that the treatment is
safe and effective. So even if adult stem cell treatments
are being used in other parts of the world, the U.S. may not
introduce them until later.
FAITH: Given the relative
safety and promise of adult stem cells, why is there so much
focus on embryonic stem cells? There is a great deal of competition
in the scientific community for funding, so in many respects
this has to do with what sort of money can be found for certain
kinds of research. Right now, again because of the media attention,
there is a large amount of funding for embryonic stem cell
research and not as much for adult stem cells. This also has
to do with the potential for profit down the road. There’s
not as much potential for profit with adult stem cells because
they are plentiful in the patient’s own body. (But of course,
in my mind, this is another reason why it’s a preferable source
of stem cells). These are the two main reasons why stem cell
research is such a political issue.
FAITH: What are the moral
implications of embryonic stem cell research? The moral implications
are huge. Consider a few issues: some people have suggested
that frozen, unused embryos from fertility clinics could be
used for research and to treat people if cures were discovered,
but this notion is a myth. Embryonic stem cells would need
to be in their earliest stages to be useful. Frozen embryos
would not offer useful stem cells. Also, from a legal perspective,
this is a moral dilemma because some states already accord
the status of personhood to frozen embryos – requiring them
to be adopted or fought over in custody battles. So that wouldn’t
offer a solution. In order to have enough cells, you would
need to mass produce embryos and then destroy them for the
sole purpose of harvesting stem cells. The means we would
have to accept the notion of creating life for the purpose
of destroying it. Most people believe this is an immoral idea.
FAITH: Is there scientific
promise in cord blood from umbilical cords? Quite a bit. I
encourage anyone having a child to donate the cord blood to
be kept for future use. This blood would be similar to adult
stem cells in that it would pose no risk of rejection to the
recipient who saved it for himself.
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