Pros & Cons of Fetal Stem Cell Research
Fetal or embryonic stem cell research involves studying the efficacy of using cells harvested from a blastocyst, or very early stage embryo, to treat human illness and injury. Because the cells are harvested from a human embryo, the technology has proved controversial enough to slow its progress as compared to adult stem cell research.
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Types
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Fetal stem cell research involves human embryos, but adult stem cell research involves harvesting only non-embryonic sources, such as cord blood or bone marrow.
Pros
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According to the National Institutes of Health, the main benefit of fetal stem cell research is that embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means they have the potential to become any type of cell that might be needed therapeutically. Adult stem cells are also flexible, but less so.
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Cons
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The biggest drawback of fetal stem cell research is that for many people, especially conservative Christians, it seemingly presents an ethical dilemma, as cells must be harvested from a human embryo.
Considerations
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According to the 27 January 2008 issue of "Nature Biotechnology," fetal stem cell research doesn't have to present a serious ethical dilemma because cells are only harvested from embryos deemed not viable by fertility clinics. These embryos are typically discarded.
Therapeutic Uses
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Due in part to the Bush administration's ban on the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research, embryonic stem cell therapies have lagged considerably behind adult stem cell therapies. According to a 23 January 2009 article in "The Washington Post," though, after President Obama lifted the ban in January 2009, the first human trials using embryonic stem cells began. Eight to ten patients with spinal cord injuries are being treated with embryonic stem cells.
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References
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