Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells
An introduction to the science, ethics and legislation
Engage: Stem Cells
A Curriculum Resource for High Schools
Sponsored by:
What is a stem cell?
Stem cells can become other types of cells
Stem cells can also divide indefinitely  stem cell line
Pluripotent vs multipotent stem cells
Reproduced by Permission of Professor Rathjen of the University of Adelaide
Embryonic vs adult stem cells
ES cells are pluripotent
AS cells found in small amounts throughout body
Most AS cells appear to be multipotent
ES cells come from ICM of blastocyst
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
Why all the fuss?
Stem cells may be able to replace damaged cells in the body
Today: lymphoma, leukemia
Future? Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes...
Promising animal studies
Reproduced by permission of The Providence Journal
Courtesy of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Sources of ES cells
ES cell lines
Excess embryos from IVF clinics
Embryos created for research by IVF
Therapeutic cloning
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
Cloning
Purpose of therapeutic cloning is to harvest ES cells for treatment  blastocyst destroyed
Purpose of reproductive cloning is to make new person  blastocyst implanted in uterus
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
Ethical debate
Harvesting ES cells destroys the blastocyst
“This is murder”
Reproduced by permission of Dave Catrow and Copley News Service
Ethical debate, cont’d
ES cell research requires human cells
Could create a commercial market for human cells
“This devalues life”
Courtesy of Kevin Siers, The Charlotte Observer © 2001
Ethical debate, cont’d
“If excess IVF embryos are being discarded anyway, they should be put to good use”
Reprinted by permission of Chip Bok and Creators Syndicate, Inc.
Ethical debate, cont’d
“Therapeutic cloning is a slippery slope - it will lead to reproductive cloning”
Reproduced by permission of Gary Markstein and Copley News Service
Governing ES cell research