Stem Cell Research

May 02, 2009 Editorial

The meltdown of the world economy has pushed many topics off the front burner of the media, which, in more settled times, would have stirred much greater debate and discussion than it actually did. Two months ago, US President Barack Obama reversed the policy of his predecessor and signed an executive order permitting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
The basis for the US previous ban for such research had been, and is, shared widely across the globe and we have no reason to believe that such sentiments do not exist in our country. While we do not have the capacity to engage in such research here, we ought to take a position on the issue since the implications – especially now that the US is proceeding full steam ahead— will affect us sooner or later.
Stem cells are found very early on after the egg is fertilised during reproduction and in fact it is they that go on to develop into the various tissues that constitute the resulting living organism. These cells are also found in adults and serve to repair damaged or worn out tissue. Basically then, stem cells can be thought of as undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into the various tissues, organs and potentially, even complete animals.
Stem cells are of several types, distinguished in part as to their capacity to develop into increasingly complex structures. The ones that can replicate the complete organism are associated with the very early embryonic stage after fertilisation. The research that pushed the envelope after the discovery of stem cells in the 1960s soon raised several moral issues that are still not completely answered.
The major controversy arises over the use of the embryonic stem cells as apposed to those taken from adults, in research. The latter has been deployed, for instance, to treat leukemia as well as bone cancers through bone marrow transplants. Many other diseases might also be susceptible to treatment through further stem cell research.
Initially, the controversy concerned the harvesting of the embryonic stem cells, which meant destruction of a human embryo. The retort that such embryos might have been created in vitrio in excess of those necessary for implantation did not cut any ice with those who believe that the embryo is a living being and is thus deserving of protection.
President Obama’s executive order would now permit embryonic stem cell research in the US. Of recent, there have been developments in techniques that make it appear likely that adult stem cells might be manipulated to produce embryonic-type stem cells but this still does not address the further moral question of whether it is appropriate to create new living beings a la cloning. President Obama claims that controls would be instituted to prevent cloning.
In the face of the demonstrated benefits of stem cell research, one question is the age-old one of whether the ends justify the means: more specifically whether the medical benefits justify destroying embryos.
In announcing his decision, President Obama answered in the affirmative. The answer for many would depend on when they believe the embryo becomes “human” and is deserving of receiving all the protection that implies.
President Obama has sidestepped the issue by quipping that the question is “above my pay grade”. As a matter of practical politics, most governments across the world have accepted that pregnancies can be aborted in the first three months without much fuss.
In these instances, the embryos are way more advanced in completing their development that those involved in stem cell research.
For the reasoned discussion we are hoping will ensue in Guyana, we hope that the issue will not be clouded by techniques such as used by President Obama, who contraposed his “scientific” approach as beyond questioning: “Promoting science isn’t just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry.” Ethical questions can arise out of the “scientific free and open inquiry” and our moral intuitions cannot be dismissed as “unscientific” and ipso facto, invalid. So what do you think, Guyana?

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Stem Cell Research

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