July 12, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Row over made-to-order stem cells

LONDON, July 12, Graphic News: Scientists at an American biotechnology company have started a series of experiments aimed at creating cloned human embryos or embryo-like entities in order to harvest Òhuman embryonic stem cellsÓ (hES cells).

The announcement that researchers at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at the Eastern Virginia Medical School had made stem cells to order has sparked a furious ethical debate among scientists, politicians and religious leaders.

It came as the Bush administration considers whether or not to approve federal funds for stem cell research. Up to now, U.S. researchers have obtained hES cells from aborted foetuses or embryos created during fertility treatment but not used.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into any kind of cell -- and thus could theoretically be used to repair damage in any part of the body. Many scientists believe stem cells can be used therapeutically in treating brain maladies such as AlzheimerÕs and ParkinsonÕs diseases, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and spinal-cord injuries.

Scientists at the privately funded clinic -- which produced AmericaÕs first test-tube baby in 1981 -- recruited donors specifically to create embryos for use in medical research, not live births. They mixed donated eggs from 12 women and sperm from two men to create embryos that yielded a reservoir of stem-cell tissue.

Four days after fertilisation, the cell, which has already divided several times, becomes a blastocyst, a clump of around 100-300 hES cells surrounded by a protective layer of cells. This ball of cells would normally become embedded in the wall of the uterus and develop into a foetus.

The blastocyst is then destroyed and the hES cells removed and placed in cultures, where the cells multiply.

Religious leaders were among the quickest to condemn the research.

ÒBefore long, weÕll be harvesting body parts from fully formed people,Ó religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said. ÒOnce you begin this concept of utilitarian use of cells, then everything is up for grabs.Ó

A leading Catholic critic of embryonic stem cell research, Richard Doerflinger, called it a Ògrotesque practice.Ó

Politicians and scientists were divided on the issue, with one leading Congressman calling the Jones research Òabsolutely appalling.Ó
/ENDS
Sources: Fertility & Sterility Journal, Associated Press, Reuters