Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
January 18, 2002

ISU community argues pros, cons of stell cell research

by Debra Gibson
Amazing the potential of a single, microscopic stem cell, a bit of matter that can offer hope and wreak havoc in one fell swoop.

Such was the conundrum discussed by about 20 participants last week at the ISU Bioethics Faculty Retreat, offered by the ISU bioethics program. The keynote speaker was Robert Streiffer, a University of Wisconsin faculty member affiliated with both its philosophy department and its program in medical ethics. Presenting the scientific perspective was Don Sakaguchi, ISU zoology and genetics.

Sakaguchi began conducting stem cell research about two and a half years ago, studying how the body's "master cells" can be transplanted to produce healthy, specialized cells of tissues and organs. Stem cells can be derived both from embryonic and adult tissues. Stem cell research has focused primarily on creating therapies that may replace damaged cells to treat leukemia, diabetes, damaged spinal cords, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease and blindness. Sakaguchi's particular research using non-embryonic cells focuses on the transplanted cells' effects on the central nervous system.

But with the potential for medical breakthroughs comes dissension from myriad ranks. According to Streiffer, those opposed to stem cell research argue that embryos are denied their right to life when destroyed after the cells are harvested. Consequently, they theorize that cell lines or products created from human embryo stem cells should not be used, nor should government allow or fund research complicit in an embryo's death.

Proponents of stem cell research assert that failing to fund these experiments could harm the millions of people who might benefit from the findings, Streiffer said. However, opponents counter that society doesn't harm these individuals; the diseases do.

And, Streiffer adds, pro-stem cell research arguments are based on the potential for treatments and cures, when in fact there are no current guarantees that those numbers actually will be realized.

Adah Leshem-Ackerman, ISU zoology and genetics, presented a fictitious case study she wrote that highlights the many dilemmas posed when determining the ownership of a divorcing couple's frozen embryos and the embroyos' potential use in stem cell research. Retreat participants then conducted a mock hearing, arguing the many facets of the issue.