Spanish Policy (last updated 2007)

The Law on Biomedical Research (2007) allows for research on embryos for therapeutic and research purposes. The creation of embryos specifically for research is prohibited, as set out in this extract from the act’s preamble:

- In accordance with the gradualist perspective on the protection of human life set out by our Constitutional Court in rulings such as 53/1985, 212/1996 and 116/1999, this Law expressly prohibits the creation of human pre-embryos and embryos exclusively for the purpose of experimentation. However, the use of any technique for collecting embryonic stem cells for therapeutic or research purposes that does not entail the creation of a pre-embryo or of an embryo exclusively for this purpose, and in the terms provided by this Law, is allowable.

- In relation to the use of supernumerary embryos from assisted human reproduction techniques, the starting point is to be found in Law 14/2006, of May 26, on Assisted Human Reproduction Techniques, which expressly forbids so-called reproductive human cloning.

[“pre-embryo” in the context of this act refers to “an embryo constituted in vitro that is formed by the group of cells that are the result of the progressive division of the egg cell, from the time it is fertilized until 14 days after.”]

This act also regulates stem cell trials and other research involving humans (except clinical trials) and their biological samples, as well as the donation and use of embryos, cells, tissues and organs.

Source: 

http://www.eurostemcell.org/regulations/regulation-stem-cell-research-spain

Advantages and Disadvantages of the different types of Stem Cells

First off, we have to know the different kinds of Stem Cells that can be applied in a variety of scientific fields.

The two types of stem cells we are going to focus on are adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
      

See "What are Stem Cells?" post: http://g4stemcells.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/what-are-stem-cells.html

Once we have now a clear idea of what each of these cells are, we can run through the advantages and disadvantages when applying these for human welfare.

Starting up with adult stem cells, the first advantage which comes to mind compared with the use of embryonic ones, is the fact that extracting stem cells from an adult human body doesn´t make any harm, for example harvesting them from the individual's blood or fat without any danger.

The other main advantage is, that they are capable of being transformed into pluripotent stem cells, allowing them to have the advantages of embryonic cells without the need of destroying human embryos, which is the main ethical problem scientists have to face when working with embryonic cells.

In terms of the disadvantages, adult stem cells have a determined cell type, this means that they cannot be changed into tissues that differ from the ones that they came from, therefore, these can only be used in certain processes which involve the same type of tissue from which they were originated.


In the other hand, embryonic cells constitute the other point of view, the other side of the argument. These have a considerable number of advantages, but negated with an, for some people, inconditional disadvantage, which is killing the embryo to get the stem cells. Obviously, this embryo is 4-5 days old, and has specially been created for this purpose, with an in vitro insemination.

 The advantages of this method are the following:

- These stem cells offer a great number of opportunities, as they are undifferentiated which permits them to be used in any part of the body, differing from adult ones which can only be used in certain cases, so basically embryonic ones can cure a greater and incredibly huge variety of diseases.
- Another advantage is that this investigation could help to develop cancer research, which would be extremely beneficial for the whole scientific community.


In terms of the disadvantages, apart from the main one which I mentioned at the start, being this one the destroying of the human embryo, the other main disadvantage, which throughout time will start to be less and less significant, is the fact that embryonic stem cell research is still pretty undeveloped, which can possibly lead to several perjudicial anomalies in the process which are yet to be solved.

Bibliography:

https://sites.google.com/site/stemcellresearchdebate/argument/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-embryonic-stem-cells

https://sites.google.com/site/stemcellresearchdebate/argument/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-adult-stem-cells

U.S. Government Policy

     The debate of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research began in 1996 with the Dickey-Wicker amendment. This amendment set by the Congress was an effort to ban all research of hESC’s, prohibiting funding for research that involves creating hESC or results in the destruction of the cells. In 2000, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a guideline in which hESC research could still be conducted following the Dickey-Wicker Amendment. In response, former President George W. Bush released a statement that prohibited the funding of most hESC research, heavily stifling the field. A great breakthrough in research was Executive order 13505 that removes all the barriers created by W. Bush. This executive order essentially fully opens hESC research for full federal funding that follow the law.

      The NIH guidelines define hESC as cells that are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst stage human embryos. These cells may survive for a prolonged time without being differentiated and may be done so to create a vast number of cell lines. Any research that would be conducted on these cells will be subject to review and must be approved for funding. The source of hESC’s may be derived from an overproduction during in vitro fertilization or that are donated to the NIH without the prospect of payment. Research may however not be conducted if the hESCs are introduced into non-human primate blastocysts or if the hESCs benefit the germ line. With the research barriers lifted by Obama, hESC has allowed for many diseases to be cured or treated. An example is the treatment of Stargardt’s disease. This disease deteriorates rod cells within the eye causing blindness. hESCs can be differentiated into the patient’s rod cells and may be implanted to treat to slow or even reverse blindness.



Sources:

Mazzaschi, Tonny. “Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” – Research. AAMC, n.d. Web.

2009 Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015

Obama, Barack. “Executive Order 13505 — Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells.” The White House. The White House, 9 Mar. 2009. Web.

U.S Opinion

     For many types of stem cells, such as adult and cord blood stem cells, there is little to no ethical issues surrounding research. Adult stem cells can be found in areas of a fully grown human body, like bone marrow. Cord blood stem cells are retrieved from the umbilical cord after childbirth. These stem cells are (relatively) easy to retrieve. However, adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are pluripotent. The are already slightly differentiated. These cells may only differentiate to types of blood cells, and are unable to become cells like skin cells, retinal cells, or organs. This limits their capability, a problem embryonic stem cell research answers.


     Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research brings with it many ethical controversies. The cells are obtained from a newly formed embryo, and most hESCs are either donated, obtained after abortions, or created via in vitro fertilization. Research based on these cells will inevitably lead to the destruction of them, creating the ethical issue of whether research is killing a potential human being. One side of the debate is this idea. The republican and conservative idea is that human embryos are considered to be a human life, and thus should have the same protections as a developed human. The destruction of embryos would essentially be murder. Approximately 50% of Republicans condone research while 37% approve of it.


     The opposite end of the debate is that hESC research would lead to scientific breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and therapeutic cloning. These field use hESCs to create tissues and organs either on the patient or independently to be applied. An example is using stem cells to create blood cells to treat leukemia, or to create a clone of an organ to surgically replace a malfunctioning one. This would result in creating a better quality of life and survival rate of people. More liberal parties support hESC research, with 60% of Democrats pro research and only 26% against.




Sources:
Masci, David. “Declining Majority of Americans Favor Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 16 July 2008. Web.


Nisbet, Matthew C. “Public Opinion About Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning.” Public Opinion About Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning. The Polls – Trends, n.d. Web.


Daar, A. S. “Stem Cell Research and Transplantation: Science Leading Ethics.”ScienceDirect. Elsevier Inc, 2004. Web.

An American Man’s View of Stem Cells

The Q&A below was conducted by myself (Gionna) and Central High’s assistant librarian, Mr. Bronstein. In order to gauge the opinion of someone who would benefit from stem cell research and therapy, I interviewed Mr. Bronstein and asked his opinion on a few key aspects of this topic.

1. First can you tell us what your understanding/perception of stem cells is?

Stem cells are immature cells that still have the ability to mature into a number of different kinds of cells. Some can grow only into, e.g., nerve cells, but pluripotent stem cells have the ability to become any cell type at all, depending on the environment in which they are placed to grow. Adults still have stem cells that can be used, for instance using healthy cells from bone marrow to replace cancerous blood cells. I think that’s what they do for Leukemia, now. They are also experimenting with olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) to replace nerves in the spinal cord. They are also now thinking of freezing cord blood so that if a person needs stem cells in the future, they will have a “stash” of their own cells so that their is no problem with rejection.

2. Do you know any benefits (or otherwise) of stem cell research?

There are a host of probable uses. Some benefits are already being used to help people. (See above) However, most benefits are still down the road as they are in the research stage. (We lost 8 years while Bush was president b/c he “defunded” stem cell research.) The area I’m interested in can be seen in this article:http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29645760


Other hoped for uses include things like organ replacement, but not by taking an organ from a donor. Instead, they will be able to regrow an organ using one’s own stem cells, thus avoiding the the rejection problems. (perhaps by using frozen cord cells?)


3. We heard that you have a personal connection and involvement with stem cell research. Can you describe your connection as well as your involvement (if any) in the advocacy of stem cell research?

My only connection is my interest in the use of stem cells as the best hope to repair a damaged spinal cord. See the link above. I severed my spine at T-3 30 years ago. Central nervous system nerves don’t spontaneously regenerate as do all the other parts of the body. However, by using stem cells, researchers are hoping to change that. Providing the proper environment seems to be the sticking point now, b/c we know that stem cells can become CNS cells. Getting them to do it in vivo is the trick.


4. Some Americans are against human embryonic stem cell research because the process of extracting stem cells from an embryo often kills the fetus. Can you describe your stance on this issue?

This is a difficult topic for many b/c it gets into the abortion debate. Not so for me b/c I’ve seen enough girls whose lives have been ruined or careers stunted b/c of unwanted pregnancies. Also, I think one of the biggest problems that the world will be facing in the near future, besides global warming, will be overpopulation. During my lifetime the human population has doubled, causing us to gobble up the planet’s resources at an ever more alarming rate. So, I have no problem with abortion. It will help reduce the strain on the planet.


However, that being said, there is really no need to use fetal stem cells anymore. Cord blood provides plenty. We have also found methods for turning mature human cells back into stem cells so that we can use our own cells and avoid rejection. Of course, aborted feti can also provide stem cells and tissue. Just look at the recent scandal involving Planned Parenthood. It was the stand against abortion that prompted Bush to ban their funding during his administration. Researchers found ways around it.

What are Stem Cells?

     Stem cells are undifferentiated (not specialized) cells that have the potential to become specialized. “Specialized” means that the cell has been modified in order to perform a specific function. Stems cells are unique because 1.) they are able to develop into a multitude of different cells and 2.) they can self-renew and replicate repeatedly for a long period of time. There a few types of stem cells: adult, embryonic and cordial blood. Adult stem cells can be found in tissues and organs,embryonic stem cells are found in embryos, and cord blood stem cells are found in the blood of the umbilical cord. Adult and cord blood stems cells are described as multipotent, which means the cells can differentiate into more than one cell type and can become specialized, but not all (limited). Embryonic stem cells are totipotent; the cells can differentiate and become specialized as any type of somatic cell and also placental cells.


Sources:
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics1.aspx
http://stemcell.ny.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-totipotent-pluripotent-and-multipotent