While adult stem cells hold some potential for use in the development of new therapies, these possible benefits pale in comparison to the enormous potential of embryonic stem cells.
The federal government should give the green light to scientists who want to continue stem cell research.
Adult stem cells regulate other cells in the body and replace them when they die from injury, disease or old age.
On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are "blank" cells that have the ability to divide indefinitely in culture and develop into specialized cells.
President Bush and Congress should take this information into account during their ongoing discussions of stem cell research.
Bush has rejected the possibilities of stem cell research because he let his religious beliefs take precedence over the benefits of scientific research.
"The Bush administration has been incoherent," said Paul Lombardo, member of the core faculty at the University Center of Biomedical Ethics.
"The stem cell avenue is being cut off before knowing whether or not it will prove useful," Lombardo added.
The National Academy of Sciences, an independent research institution that often advises policymakers, disagrees with Bush on the cloning issue.
The academy strongly endorses stem cell research, which holds great promise for developing new therapies that could cure a wide range of human diseases.
The academy is correct in taking a position against the Bush administration because scientific research could make new opportunities available to people suffering from incurable maladies.
"It is important to continue with embryonic research because it will ultimately yield information that can be applied to adult stem cells to treat and manipulate therapies," Plastic Surgery Prof. Adam Katz said.
Katz researches adult stem cells from human fat tissue and explores developing these cells into bone, muscle and cartilage for reconstructive surgery.
Some scientists believe that stem cells removed from patients' own bodies may not be rejected as easily as stem cells from other sources.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute recently discovered a new class of adult stem cells in human bone marrow.
"We don't know enough to make a conclusive statement about whether adult or embryonic stem cells will be most useful in treating a particular disease," said Sarah Youngerman, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center public relations coordinator.
Other researchers have found that some adult stem cells previously thought to be committed to the development of only one line of specialized cells are able to develop into other types of specialized cells as well.
"It is too early to tell whether embryonic stem cells will make a great difference, but it looks promising from an animal standpoint," Biomedical Ethics Prof. John Fletcher said.
Those who oppose harvesting stem cells from human embryos may see such discoveries as an excuse to ban embryonic stem cell research.
Just because new adult stem cells have been found, however, does not mean they will yield the same benefits.
Embryonic stem cells offer several advantages over stem cells from other sources.
First, stem cells from adults have not been found to grow into all types of body tissues. Adult stem cells already are specialized, meaning their potential to regenerate damaged tissue may be very limited.
Secondly, adult stem cells often are present in very minute quantities, are difficult to isolate and purify and their numbers may decrease with age.
Finally, adults do not have stem cells in many of their vital organs. It is only embryonic stem cells that have the capacity to become any kind of human tissue and thus potentially repair vital organs.
Stem cell research opponents are against the growth of embryos for the sole purpose of harvesting their stem cells. They also oppose taking stem cells from excess frozen embryos and aborted fetuses.
None of the less controversial methods of obtaining stem cells, however, such as removing stem cells from adults, produce cells with the same vitality and versatility as those taken from embryos.
"Frozen embryos that aren't wanted by couples will be discarded anyway," Fletcher said.
While some people argue that unwanted embryos are human beings with rights, society should not waste the excess embryos, but rather should use them to propel research that may find cures for deadly diseases.
The federal government should not be allowed to sacrifice the health of the living for the so-called rights of unwanted embryos.
Read More
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | 4 hours agoStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 21 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
