Stem cell research in the 2000s
Stem cell research in the 2000s was a significant and controversial area of scientific inquiry, particularly focused on the therapeutic potential of embryonic and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells, found in various tissues, can regenerate specific cell types but are limited compared to embryonic stem cells, which can differentiate into any cell type and are typically derived from embryos created for in vitro fertilization. The decade saw heightened debate, especially after President George W. Bush imposed restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in 2001, allowing only existing cell lines, which were later found to be insufficient for ongoing research needs.
Opposition from various groups, including those who viewed embryos as human life, further complicated the landscape. The political climate shifted with the election of President Barack Obama, who, in 2009, lifted these restrictions, enabling new research and funding opportunities. This shift reinstated momentum in the field, as scientists aimed to explore stem cell applications for treating a range of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. By the end of the decade, the groundwork had been laid for expanded research, highlighting the potential of stem cells to address significant medical challenges.
Stem cell research in the 2000s
Medical research involving the use of stem cells, which have the ability to renew and differentiate into other cells.
While adult stem cells had been researched for decades, stem cell research drew significant attention in the late 1990s when a biologist isolated the first embryonic stem cells. Unlike adult stem cells, these were able to divide into any type of human cell. Scientists faced hurdles, however, when the United States placed limits on embryonic stem cell research during the 2000s.
Adult, or somatic, stem cells are found throughout the tissues and organs of the body. They are able to divide and regenerate a range of cell types, though this ability is limited to a cell’s tissue or organ of origin. Embryonic stem cells are typically obtained from embryos created for in vitro fertilization procedures. The embryos that are not needed for uterine implantation are often offered for research with the consent of the donor. These embryonic cells differ from adult stem cells in that they can differentiate into any type of cell, produce a greater number of cells, and are easier to grow. Scientists quickly found that embryonic stem cells held tremendous potential for medical research and gathered support for this work. They were met with opposition from abortion opponents and other groups who argued that embryos were human life and should be treated as such.
In 2001, President George W. Bush announced his decision to allow embryonic stem cell research on cell lines already in existence. He decided to allow the research because the destruction of an embryo had already taken place, but he banned funding on future cell lines. Proponents of stem cell research were happy that the president would allow the research but unhappy with the limits on cell lines. They knew that they would need new cell lines to keep up with research. Opponents wanted a full ban. Over the next few years, researchers discovered that there were fewer existing cell lines than originally thought and found that many of them were unusable. They worried that other countries would take the lead in stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
A Push for Reform
By 2004, the stem cell debate had heated up again, and many scientists and health-care officials wanted to reform the 2001 policy. Members of Congress sent letters to the president requesting that he reform his strict policy, and the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2004 was introduced. The act sought more support for stem cell research, but it did not pass the House of Representatives. Stem cell research became a main issue of the 2004 presidential election when Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry supported increased funding for research. The Bush administration would not budge on the issue, defaulting to the 2001 policy.
The following year, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act was reintroduced, but this time, it passed the House and then went to the Senate for consideration. In 2006, the Senate announced the creation of two additional bills on the issue. One of the bills supported stem cell research without the destruction of human embryos; the other prohibited creating embryos exclusively for research. The Senate passed all three bills in July 2008, but only two of the bills, including the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, made it through the House. Bush passed the other bill and vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
In 2007, Congress again passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, but with some provisions. Congress also passed another bill regarding the way stem cells were derived. Once again, Bush vetoed both bills.
A Victory for Stem Cell Research
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Democratic candidate Barack Obama pledged to reform the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. The bill was reintroduced in February 2009, along with the Stem Cell Research Improvement Act, and both were sent to committee. On March 9, 2009, Obama kept his promise, overturning the Bush policy through an executive order. This paved the way for additional human embryonic stem cell lines and allotted funding for this research. The order allowed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish ethical guidelines for the use, creation, and research of all stem cells. The NIH published these guidelines in July 2009.
Impact
Stem cell research is vital to identifying how stem cells can be used to treat diseases and other medical conditions. Stem cells could be used to generate cells and tissues to treat conditions and to replace damaged tissues and organs. Scientists hope to generate healthy heart muscles for those with heart disease and to help those with type 1 diabetes create their own insulin-producing cells. Using stem cells to grow organs and tissues could help alleviate the great, unmet need for organ donors. Stem cells can also be used to test potential new drugs. In addition to heart disease and diabetes, some of the diseases and conditions that scientists hope to treat with stem cells include Alzheimer’s disease, burns, cancer, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and stroke.
Bibliography
“AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research.” American Association for the Advancement of Science. Amer. Assn. for the Advancement of Science, 12 Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Dec. 2012.
Kelly, Evelyn B. Stem Cells. Westport: Greenwood, 2007. Print.
Knoepfler, Paul. Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide. Hackensack: World Scientific, 2013. Print.
Scadden, David T. “Current Human Clinical Applications Using Adult Stem Cells.” International Society for Stem Cell Research. Intl. Soc. for Stem Cell Research, 14 Aug. 2006. Web. 18 Dec. 2012.
Stem Cell Information. Natl. Insts. of Health, 7 Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Dec. 2012. Includes an FAQ section, lists research topics in the field, and provides information on federal policies and litigation relating to stem cell research.
“What Are Stem Cells?” Medical News Today. MediLexicon Intl., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.