Stem cells are found in embryos, the fetus, the placenta, and the umbilical cord.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division.

Under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, stem cells can be induced to become tissue or organ specific cells with special functions.

Stems cells are obtained by destroying the embryo and extracting the stem cell often during in vitro fertilization (Kellmann, 2010).

STEM CELLRESEARCH

What every pregnant woman should know

References

Caulfield, T., Zarzeczny, A., McCormick, J., Bubela, T., Chritchley, C., Einsiedel, E.,…Winickoff, D. (2009). International stem cell environments: A world of difference. Nature Reports Stem Cells. Retrieved from: http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2009/0904/090416/full/stemcells.2009.61.html

Dharr, D., & His-en, H. (2009). Stem cell research policies around the world. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 82(3),113-5.

Dixon, P. (2004). Future of stem cell research: Creating new organs and repairing old ones. Retrieved from: http://www.globalchange.com/stemcells2.htm

Ertelt, S. (2005). Stem cell research. Retrieved from: http://nebcathcon.org/stemcell_stem_cell_research

Kellmann, K. (Fall 2010). Taking the Moral High Road: WhyEmbryonic Stem Cell Research Should Be Strictly Regulated. Faulkner Law Review. 2(1)

Korenman, S. (2006). Genetics and Stem Cell Research. Teaching the responsible conduct of research in humans(RCRH). Retrieved from: http://ori.hhs.gov/education/products/ucla/chapter7/page01.htm

National Institute of Health (NIH). (2011). Stem cell information. Retrieved from: http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy

Schultz, G. (2006). Polish parliament adopts resolution against human embryonic research. Life Site News. Retrieved from: http://www.lifesitenews.com

The Stem cell debates: Lessons for science and politics. (2012). The New Atlantis: A Journal of Technology and Society, 34, 129-46.

Zarembo A. (2005, February). A desperate injection of stem cells and hope. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from: http:www.latimes.com

*******

Nanncie Constantin, Yvette Frazier, Robin Johnston,

Kristine Manuel, Evelyn Ojukwu, and Olivia Yando

HCS 578

October 15, 2012

Mary Granoff

COURSE OF ACTION

Advocating for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women need to be educated about the importance of supporting stem cell research.

Support and finances can help science determine possible treatment for diseases such as

Cancer Diabetes Spinal Cord injuries Paralysis Multiple sclerosis Parkinson’s disease ALS AIDS and HIV

How to advocate for stem cell research by joining and/or funding research foundations.

Research America which is one of the largest non-profit organization for stem cell and other research.

Genetics Poly Institute-the voice of the stem cell community.

Let’s Talk Science is a charitable organization that focuses on educating the public about different research and science programs. They motivate the public about the importance of supporting and funding stem cell research for the possibility of reversing and treating theses deadly diseases in our society.

WHAT ISSTEM CELLRESEARCH?

INTERNATIONAL POLICY Mexico

No formal regulations at this time; as a result, it has a flourishing stem cell industry (Zarembo, 2005).

The global medical community, because of a lack of regulation has criticized Mexico (Dharr & His-en, 2009).

Lithuania Human embryonic stem cell laws are extremely strict. Human embryos can only be subject to clinical observation. Prohibits the cloning of human beings (The New Atlantis:

A Journal of Technology and Society, 2012). Poland

Human embryonic stem cell research conflicts with Polish law (Schultz, 2006).

Polish law indicates that conceived children, including human embryos are banned from participating in research experiments (Schultz, 2006).

HEALTH POLICY AND STEMCELL RESEARCH

HOW STEM CELLRESEARCH AFFECTS

GLOBAL HEALH

“Embryonic stem cells are hard to get hold of in humans - you need a supply of human embryos, which requires either breaking the law in some countries or applying for complex licenses in others” (Dixon, 2004, para. 9).

Treatments with stem cells are providing cures for untreatable diseases

Stem cell research is revolutionizing health care

Therapies with stem cells can save lives and help reduce the cost of global health care

Countries are competing with each other to be the leader in stem cell research

Advances in stem cell research can benefit a country both politically and economically

“Stem cell research can be considered a natural experiment that spans the globe. Understanding it could offer lessons for the wider field of science policy” (Caulfield, et al., 2009, para. 4)

ETHICAL DILEMMASWITH STEM CELL

RESEARCHU.S. POLICY

No federal laws banning stem cell research in America. Congress is restricted on authorizing research funding.

In 1998, the embryonic stem cell was discovered. In 2001, first federal funding of stem cell research began but

was very limited as a result of ethical controversy. In 2004, the US FDA approved cell stem research. In 2005 the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act started. In 2006 President Bush approved the Stem Cell Research Act

of 2005 for adult stem cell therapy only (Ertelt, 2005). In 2009, President Obama removed certain restrictions on the

federal funding on embryonic stem cells (NIH, 2011). In 2011, the US District Court of Columbia supported the use

of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In August 2012, a three Judge Panel of the US Court of

Appeal supported the embryonic stem cell research of 2009.

The status of the early embryo and the responsible conduct of research in humans (RCRH) can pose ethical dilemmas for pregnant women and society.

Is an embryo a human being with a soul that must be protected or is it a collection of cells that will not become part of humanity until a later time?

This issue cannot be resolved on a scientific basis but rather plays a central role in religious and political differences throughout the world.

Using zygotes that contain a combined male and female genetic material from an IVF, NT results in a clone of the donor of the adult cell.

Implanting a blastocyst into a woman, is reproductive cloning resulting in an

individual with the exact genetic makeup of the donor of the nucleus.

Reproductive cloning of humans is unethical and should not be permitted.

Human embryonic stem cells offer future promise to regenerative medicine in which damaged adult cells can be replaced with new cells which must destroy pre-implantation blastocysts (Korenman, 2006).