Research into stem cells is one of probably the most controversial forms of medical research. Both embryonic and adult stem cell research received support that will improve money now available for the research. Stem cell research guidelines have been released by the National Institutes of Health, when the Catholic Vatican has announced it will fund adult stem cell research.
The promise of stem cell research
Stem cell research is a politically, socially, and emotionally loaded topic – for good reason. Some medical researchers say stem cells might be able to regrow damaged body parts or cure diseases. Stem cells are “undefined” cells that could be able to become any cell within the body. Embryonic stem cells are usually garnered from fertility treatments that would otherwise be destroyed. Adult stem cells come from grown adults, and are either “forced” backwards into stem cells or harvested from other parts of the body.
Embryonic stem cell research guidelines from NIH
The U.S. government has always had a very limited opinion on embryonic stem cell research. In 2001, President George W. Bush limited federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to the lines already in existence. When this policy went into effect, 21 lines of embryonic stem cells were accessible. Quickly after taking office, President Obama lifted this restriction and put into place strong ethical guidelines. The new stem cell research guidelines indicate that embryonic stem cells must be donated by couples that have been “fully informed of other options”.
13 additional embryonic stem cell lines
Though the ethical guidelines were stronger, there were many questions about which stem cell lines would be allowable under the National Institutes of Health guidelines. The NIH has officially approved 13 lines of stem cells for research. These lines include 4 historical lines that account for 90 percent of stem cell research that has been published.
Adult stem cell research to be funded by the Vatican
In a surprising move, the Vatican announced they would help fund a line of adult stem cell research. The Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium will be getting financial and scientific support from the Vatican. Intestinal stem cells are adult stem cells that are especially active. The Vatican continues to hold that they consider embryonic stem cells getting used for research to be “gravely immoral”. Boston Children’s Hospital’s Director of Stem Cell Transplants reacted to the Vatican announcement with a mix of emotions. “I applaud the Vatican for funding any type of research, but this is another attempt to pit adult stem cells against embryonic when the two are used in very different ways and have potential for different conditions.”
Sources for the article
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042703360.html
ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/vatican-backs-stem-cell-research/story?id=10447981
