The Humanity of the UnbornThe Humanity of the Unborn The Argument from BiologyThe Argument from Biology It is a human life at It is a human life at conceptionconception

The fertilized egg contains The fertilized egg contains 46 chromosomes46 chromosomes in a new in a new and unique configuration.and unique configuration.

When Does Human Life When Does Human Life Begin? Begin?

Human embryologist Human embryologist C. Ward Kischer C. Ward Kischer

speaks out about the speaks out about the socio-legal issues socio-legal issues

involving the human involving the human embryo. embryo.

20032003

““It is quite clear that what It is quite clear that what was known more than 100 was known more than 100 years ago, even intuitively years ago, even intuitively before that, is that the before that, is that the fusion of sperm and oocyte fusion of sperm and oocyte begins the life of the new begins the life of the new individual human being.” individual human being.”

Fertilization begins a Fertilization begins a directional process, directional process, separate from the separate from the mother, genetically mother, genetically distinctdistinct

What Are Stem Cells?What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are Stem cells are specialized cells that specialized cells that can produce several can produce several different kinds of different kinds of cellscells

Just like the Just like the stem of a plant stem of a plant will produce will produce branches, branches, leaves, and leaves, and flowers, so stem flowers, so stem cells can usually cells can usually produce many produce many different kinds different kinds of cells.of cells.

What are stem-cells?What are stem-cells?Stem cells are unspecialized Stem cells are unspecialized cells that continually renew cells that continually renew themselves through cell themselves through cell division. Unlike other cells, division. Unlike other cells, stem cells begin as "blanks" stem cells begin as "blanks" without a dedicated task, but without a dedicated task, but with an ability to become with an ability to become specialized. specialized.

Stem cells Stem cells can become can become other types other types of cellsof cells

Reproduced by Permission of Professor Rathjen of the University of Adelaide

Stem cells can also Stem cells can also divide indefinitely divide indefinitely stem cell linestem cell line

The science is complex!The science is complex!

1. ADULT STEM CELLS1. ADULT STEM CELLS are are stem cells found in the stem cells found in the umbilical cord (after live umbilical cord (after live birth), fat, bone marrow, birth), fat, bone marrow, tissue, organs, blood, etc. of a tissue, organs, blood, etc. of a human being. These cells are human being. These cells are removed from the body of the removed from the body of the patient and manipulated in patient and manipulated in the laboratory. the laboratory.

After the cells multiply, the After the cells multiply, the healthy cells are separated healthy cells are separated from the diseased cells from the diseased cells and reinserted back into and reinserted back into the body of the patient. the body of the patient.

Human clinical trials show Human clinical trials show that these new cells go to the that these new cells go to the diseased or injured body part diseased or injured body part and begin to generate healthy and begin to generate healthy cells and tissue; the cells are cells and tissue; the cells are especially successful because especially successful because they contain the exact DNA of they contain the exact DNA of the patient, preventing cell the patient, preventing cell rejection. rejection.

Because the procuring and Because the procuring and use of adult stem cells use of adult stem cells never requires the creation never requires the creation or destruction of a human or destruction of a human embryo, it is free of the embryo, it is free of the ethical challenges ethical challenges presented by other types of presented by other types of stem cell research. stem cell research.

While adult stem cell research While adult stem cell research is by no means a perfected is by no means a perfected process, there are dozens of process, there are dozens of breakthroughs each month for breakthroughs each month for the treatment of numerous the treatment of numerous human diseases.human diseases.

The Promise of Adult The Promise of Adult Stem CellsStem Cells

Last year the National Last year the National Institutes of Health spent Institutes of Health spent $190 million on adult $190 million on adult stem cell research and stem cell research and $25 million on embryonic $25 million on embryonic stem cell researchstem cell research

Treatments or cures via Treatments or cures via adult stem cellsadult stem cells

*Diabetes *heart disease * Sickle *Diabetes *heart disease * Sickle cell anemia *Leukemia * MS cell anemia *Leukemia * MS

*Parkinson’s disease *Crohn’s *Parkinson’s disease *Crohn’s

disease *Macular degeneration disease *Macular degeneration * Rheumatoid arthritis *Paralysis * Rheumatoid arthritis *Paralysis * Cancer * Bone loss *Vision * Cancer * Bone loss *Vision problems *Lupus *Hair lossproblems *Lupus *Hair loss

* Incontinence * Serious spinal-* Incontinence * Serious spinal-cord injury * Liver diseasecord injury * Liver disease

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell ResearchStem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research

Adult stem cell research seems Adult stem cell research seems most promising (74 clinical most promising (74 clinical successes).successes).

Brazil to study use of Brazil to study use of stem cells in heart stem cells in heart

treatment: Wed Feb 2, treatment: Wed Feb 2, 2005:2005:

  

"The project which Brazil is "The project which Brazil is developing is unique in the developing is unique in the

world, in the number of case world, in the number of case studies -- 1,200 patients -- studies -- 1,200 patients --

and the number of institutions and the number of institutions involved, 40 across the whole involved, 40 across the whole

country," a ministry official country," a ministry official told AFP.told AFP.

Saving Lives!Saving Lives! Clinical trials are already Clinical trials are already

testing the treatment of testing the treatment of Parkinson’s using gene Parkinson’s using gene therapy and adult stem therapy and adult stem cells.cells.

Alzheimer’s is likely not Alzheimer’s is likely not treatable by stem cells.treatable by stem cells.

Advantages. Adult stem Advantages. Adult stem cells are:cells are:

Immune to immune attack: Immune to immune attack: If patients receive the If patients receive the products of their own stem products of their own stem cells, they will not mount cells, they will not mount an immune response. an immune response.

Available: Some types, like Available: Some types, like blood stem cells, are easy blood stem cells, are easy to find. to find.

Partly specialized: That Partly specialized: That reduces the amount of reduces the amount of outside direction needed to outside direction needed to create specialized cells. create specialized cells.

Flexible: Adult stem cells Flexible: Adult stem cells may form other tissue types. may form other tissue types. Last fall, scientists reported Last fall, scientists reported that skin and blood stem that skin and blood stem cells both produced cells that cells both produced cells that look like neurons -- in the look like neurons -- in the lab. lab.

Ira Black, of the Robert Ira Black, of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Wood Johnson Medical SchoolSchool, who lead the blood , who lead the blood work, told Science News, work, told Science News, "It's "It's absolutely astonishing.absolutely astonishing. There are stem cells in a There are stem cells in a variety of places in the body variety of places in the body that have the capability of that have the capability of giving rise to neurons"giving rise to neurons"

Umbilical Cord Blood Collection

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell ResearchStem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research Adult stem cell research seems most Adult stem cell research seems most

promising (74 clinical successes).promising (74 clinical successes). Embryonic stem cell research has Embryonic stem cell research has

been a failure (China – man with been a failure (China – man with Parkinson’s developed grotesque Parkinson’s developed grotesque tumor).tumor).

Adult stem cellsAdult stem cellsAdult stem cells also have Adult stem cells also have the capacity to produce the capacity to produce many different cell types, many different cell types, including neurons.including neurons.

A person’s own stem cells A person’s own stem cells should be the best source should be the best source of cells for transplantationof cells for transplantation

Clinical trials are already Clinical trials are already underway using bone marrow underway using bone marrow (adult) stem cells for treatment (adult) stem cells for treatment of heart attacks, liver disease, of heart attacks, liver disease, diabetes, bone and cartilage diabetes, bone and cartilage disease and brain disorders.disease and brain disorders.

Adult stem cells can switch Adult stem cells can switch tissues.tissues.

Adult stem cells migrate Adult stem cells migrate throughout the body in the throughout the body in the blood.blood.

The discovery of the “ultimate The discovery of the “ultimate adult stem cell” was adult stem cell” was announced 1/23/02announced 1/23/02

Adult stem cells can even Adult stem cells can even be injected intravenously be injected intravenously in large quantities and in large quantities and they will migrate to where they will migrate to where the injury is located.the injury is located.

Scientists hope to use this Scientists hope to use this capability to replace cells capability to replace cells damaged by a broad damaged by a broad spectrum of diseases. spectrum of diseases.

You can harvest adult stem You can harvest adult stem cells from the individual to be cells from the individual to be treated. Therefore, there are treated. Therefore, there are no rejection problems.no rejection problems.

Why all the fuss?Why all the fuss?

Reproduced by permission of The Providence Journal

What we’re toldWhat we’re told Stem cells may be able to Stem cells may be able to

replace damaged cells in the replace damaged cells in the bodybody

Today: lymphoma, leukemiaToday: lymphoma, leukemia Future? Parkinson’s, Future? Parkinson’s,

Alzheimer’s, diabetes...Alzheimer’s, diabetes... Promising animal studiesPromising animal studies

Questions to ask yourselfQuestions to ask yourself Who are ‘the experts’?Who are ‘the experts’? When do they say life begins?When do they say life begins? Are they giving ‘false Are they giving ‘false

promises’?promises’? Are they neglecting to speak Are they neglecting to speak

of Adult Stem Cell treatments?of Adult Stem Cell treatments?

2. FETAL STEM CELLS2. FETAL STEM CELLS are are stem cells taken from the stem cells taken from the tissues of aborted or tissues of aborted or miscarried fetuses. The stem miscarried fetuses. The stem cells are extracted from the cells are extracted from the fetus, treated in the fetus, treated in the laboratory, and then inserted laboratory, and then inserted into the body of the suffering into the body of the suffering patient. patient.

No medical treatment derived No medical treatment derived from fetal stem cells has from fetal stem cells has successfully treated a human successfully treated a human disease.disease.

In one of the most well-known In one of the most well-known human clinical trials using human clinical trials using fetal stem cells, the cells were fetal stem cells, the cells were inserted into the brains of inserted into the brains of Parkinson’s patients. Parkinson’s patients.

Unfortunately, the unpredictable Unfortunately, the unpredictable young cells created terratomas young cells created terratomas (masses of tissue with hair and (masses of tissue with hair and teeth) and tumors, and the teeth) and tumors, and the majority of patients experienced majority of patients experienced increased symptoms.increased symptoms.

3. EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS3. EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS are stem cells derived from are stem cells derived from human embryos created human embryos created through in vitro fertilization through in vitro fertilization (the union of sperm and egg (the union of sperm and egg in the laboratory). in the laboratory).

Couples can legally donate Couples can legally donate their unborn embryonic their unborn embryonic children to research by children to research by signing consent forms.signing consent forms.

In most cases, couples do so In most cases, couples do so because they have fertilized because they have fertilized more eggs than they are willing more eggs than they are willing to implant in the woman’s to implant in the woman’s womb for offspring. Embryonic womb for offspring. Embryonic stem cells extracted from stem cells extracted from donated embryos are used to donated embryos are used to start stem cell lines, and these start stem cell lines, and these stem cells are used for clinical stem cells are used for clinical trials. trials.

Once the stem cells are Once the stem cells are extracted from the embryo, the extracted from the embryo, the outer layer of the embryo can outer layer of the embryo can no longer insulate and protect no longer insulate and protect the integrity of the cells. the integrity of the cells.

Thus, the cells are insulated by Thus, the cells are insulated by feeder cells from mice, a feeder cells from mice, a method of preservation with method of preservation with serious contamination serious contamination concerns. concerns.

Lengthy process before Lengthy process before transplantation to transplantation to

patientpatient

No animal or human clinical No animal or human clinical trials have shown improvement trials have shown improvement or recovery from illness or or recovery from illness or disease through the use of disease through the use of embryonic stem cellsembryonic stem cells;; in fact, in fact, embryonic stem cells are known embryonic stem cells are known to to create tumorscreate tumors -because of -because of their young and unpredictable their young and unpredictable nature -and are often rejected nature -and are often rejected due to the DNA mismatch. due to the DNA mismatch.

The obvious ethical issueThe obvious ethical issue

Extracting stem cells from Extracting stem cells from embryos remaining from in embryos remaining from in vitro fertilization does result vitro fertilization does result in the death of those embryos in the death of those embryos and, consequently, has severe and, consequently, has severe ethical implications.ethical implications.

During development, cells During development, cells derived from these stem derived from these stem cells become progressively cells become progressively more specialized. It's more specialized. It's normally a one-way street -- normally a one-way street -- in the body, in the body, embryonic stem cells don't stick around long.National Institutes of Health

No health benefits or curesNo health benefits or cures have been realized from have been realized from cloned human embryonic cloned human embryonic stem cells; only one stem cells; only one laboratory in South Korea has laboratory in South Korea has managed to grow the human managed to grow the human clones to the stage where clones to the stage where stem cell extractionstem cell extraction is is possible.possible.

Sources of ES cellsSources of ES cells ES cell linesES cell lines Excess embryos from IVF Excess embryos from IVF clinicsclinics Embryos created for research Embryos created for research by IVFby IVF Therapeutic cloningTherapeutic cloning

The Problem with Embryonic The Problem with Embryonic Stem CellsStem Cells

The embryo must be The embryo must be destroyed.destroyed.

The proper chemical The proper chemical signals to direct stem signals to direct stem cells to turn into the cells cells to turn into the cells you want are you want are unknown.unknown.

In China a man with In China a man with Parkinson's was treated with Parkinson's was treated with human ES cells which turned human ES cells which turned into a tumor (teratoma) in his into a tumor (teratoma) in his brain that killed him.brain that killed him.

The power of ESCs is also the The power of ESCs is also the source of their peril.source of their peril.

Embryonic stem cells Embryonic stem cells are:are:

Hard to control: They may Hard to control: They may pass through several pass through several intermediate stages before intermediate stages before becoming the cell type becoming the cell type needed to treat a particular needed to treat a particular disease; this process is disease; this process is controlled by complex controlled by complex chemical cues. chemical cues.

Rejected by the immune Rejected by the immune system: The immune profile system: The immune profile of the specialized cells would of the specialized cells would differ from that of the differ from that of the recipient. recipient.

Besides the ethical Besides the ethical questionsquestions……

Financial Financial $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Practical Must begin Practical Must begin

with with

new stem cell new stem cell lineslines

LegalLegal

Embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cell research requires human research requires human cells. This could create a cells. This could create a commercial market for commercial market for human cells. Some may human cells. Some may say: “This devalues life”say: “This devalues life”

Courtesy of Kevin Siers, The Charlotte Observer © 2001

$$$$$$$$$$

Study Says All Stem Cell Study Says All Stem Cell Lines Tainted: Lines Tainted: Mon Jan 24, Mon Jan 24,

20052005Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times

““All human embryonic stem cell All human embryonic stem cell lines approved for use in federally lines approved for use in federally funded research funded research are are contaminatedcontaminated with a foreign with a foreign molecule from mice that may molecule from mice that may make them risky for use in make them risky for use in medical therapies..”medical therapies..”

Practical

Destroyed embryo deemed Destroyed embryo deemed human - human - February 5, 2005 February 5, 2005

A frozen embryo destroyed in A frozen embryo destroyed in a Chicago fertility clinic was a a Chicago fertility clinic was a human being whose parents human being whose parents are entitled to file a wrongful-are entitled to file a wrongful-death lawsuit, a Cook County death lawsuit, a Cook County judge ruled Friday.judge ruled Friday.

Legal

Attorneys on both sides of the Attorneys on both sides of the abortion issue said it was the abortion issue said it was the first such ruling they had heard first such ruling they had heard of as the country debates of as the country debates whether stem cells derived whether stem cells derived from embryos can be used in from embryos can be used in research and medicine.research and medicine.

The legal question

In an opinion issued Friday, In an opinion issued Friday, Cook County Judge Jeffrey Cook County Judge Jeffrey Lawrence said "a pre-embryo Lawrence said "a pre-embryo is a is a 'human being' ...'human being' ... whether or not it is implanted whether or not it is implanted in its mother's womb."in its mother's womb."

So, what have we learned?So, what have we learned? When does biology say life When does biology say life

begins?begins? Who are ‘the experts’?Who are ‘the experts’? When do they say life When do they say life

begins?begins? Are they giving ‘false Are they giving ‘false

promises’?promises’?

Are they neglecting to speak of Are they neglecting to speak of Adult Stem Cell treatments?Adult Stem Cell treatments?

““He who frames the question, He who frames the question, frames the answer”frames the answer”

Can we afford to waste time Can we afford to waste time on research that has not on research that has not produced one success while produced one success while overlooking research that has overlooking research that has a tremendous success rate?a tremendous success rate?