A new breakthrough in stem cell research engineered by UW-Madison researchers is not only exciting news for scientists and patients, but has the potential to quell religious and political debates that have plagued the technology.
A team of UW-Madison researchers led by biologist James Thomson, who was the first to coax stem cells from human embryos in 1998, reported the successful genetic reprogramming of human skin cells to create cells indistinguihttp://www.dailycardinal.com/admin/article/edit/1289
Signin for Admin Accessshable from embryonic stem cells.
Before this discovery, the only way to obtain stem cells was from human embryos after fertilization, destroying the embryo - something that has elicited fierce protest in the past. Radically changing the ethical landscape, human skin cells have been transformed into embryonic-like stem cells by adding four genes.
The reprogrammed skin cells appear to perform like the previous pluripotent"" stem cells, with the crucial ability to transform into any of the 220 cell types of the human body. The cells are even superior to embryonic stem cells for their patient-specific aspect, eliminating the possibility of the immune system rejecting the cells derived from the patient.
Scientists believe the reprogrammed cells may one day replace tissues of the body damaged by injury or disease, and be used for immediate research into the complex causes of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Though the reprogrammed cell innovation is monumental - one researcher called it the ""biological equivalent of the Wright Brothers' first airplane"" - it seems opponents are prematurely calling a victory for their ethics and the end of embryonic stem cell research.
The embryonic stem cell debate has been a tumultuous issue since the 2000 presidential campaign, with fierce opposition from some religious and political organizations against the destroying of embryos to create the stem cells.
Supporters argued that the therapeutic potential of the work justified the use of human embryos, opposed to ideology blocking progress in finding cures to diseases afflicting millions. Perplexing others was the controversy over using human embryos that would have otherwise been destroyed. Hopefully with this new breakthrough, these will become futile debates.
According to the New York Times, President Bush, long opposed to the need to create or destroy embryos for stem cell research, was ""very pleased"" with the new findings. The White House said, ""By avoiding techniques that destroy life, while vigorously supporting alternative approaches, President Bush is encouraging scientific advancement within ethical boundaries.""
The Wall Street Journal even boldly proclaimed, ""Science has provided a resolution to the ethical and political debate, and all parties emerge victorious.""
However, lauding the decisive end of the stem cell controversy seems premature. It remains to be seen whether the reprogrammed cells will prove as functional as embryonic stem cells.
Though optimistic they can work together to push the new stem cell research forward, researchers stressed the need for more study of the newly made reprogrammed cells.
""This is not the end of embryonic research,"" Thomson said. ""It will take a couple of years to sort out whether this might differ from embryonic stem cells in some unexpected way. It would be a shame to drop embryonic research.""
There is also a potential for increased polarization between embryonic stem cell research opponents and supporters, with the opposition adding the non-necessity of human embryos to their debate arsenal. As some conservatives declare the scientific advancement proof of victory in the stem cell debate, calls for the halt of embryonic stem cell research may be ferocious as ever.
Hopefully politicians can stay focused on the goal - advancing research into the causes and treatments of complex and devastating diseases - rather than using the new advance as campaign fodder to proclaim political victories and I-told-you-so's.
Initial innovations in stem cell research created the ethical dilemma nearly 10 years ago, but also initiated the research that made the non-controversial reprogrammed cells possible. It would be a shame to see a hasty call for the end of embryonic stem cell research before decisive evidence that the new cells are the real deal, potentially halting further progress.
Let's hope in the future this new development ethically clarifies the path to research with the potential to end suffering and to save lives. Only further research and time will tell if the new advance will solve the ethical quandary previous innovations created.
Michelle Turcotte is a senior majoring in journalism. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
