This document discusses embryonic stem cell research, including the science behind it, the controversy, and alternatives. It explains that embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells derived from embryos that can differentiate into specialized cells. While this provides potential medical benefits, it also raises ethical issues regarding the status of embryos. The document outlines perspectives from both supporters and opponents and discusses moving forward to resolve the related ethical and legal questions.

1. Embryonic Stem Cell Research:
Debate and Controversy
Leigh Kemp

2. The Science
Derived from embryos
Stems cells are undifferentiated, thus
allowing them to be used for cell
regeneration in adult patients
Cell culture of preimplantation-stage
embryos, which are placed in a nutrient-
rich Petri dish and grown
The cells divide and spread over the
surface of the Petri dish

3. The Science
The inner surface is often coated with a
“feeder layer” of treated, non-dividing
mouse cells
Encourage growth, provide nutrients
Researchers have devised ways to grow
stem cells without mouse feeder cells
Decreases risk of virus transfer from the cell of
a mouse to human cells
The stem cells are sub-cultured over a
period of months, generating millions of
new cells

4. The Science
Scientists control the differentiation of
these “pluripotent” (all-purpose) stem
cells in more specialized types of cells
Changing of the chemical composition of the
“culture medium” in the Petri dish that feeds
the cells
Altering of the surface of the Petri dish
Insertion of certain genes into the cells
Stem cells differentiate into specialized
cells, such as those of heart muscle,
blood cells, or neurons

5. Controversy
Ethical issues:
When is an embryo or fetus considered a living
person?
What legal status, if any, does an embryo
have?
Medical or scientific issues:
Are embryonic stem cells the best stem cells
for medical purposes of regeneration and repair
or tissue?
Are there any medical risks inherent in the use
of embryonic stem cells?

6. The Controversy: Pro
Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated, and
thus can be used to restore or regenerate
damaged tissue
The harvesting of embryos before implantation in
is not unethical – the embryos are not viable
Embryos cannot feel pain
Harvesting of stem cells from embryos is not murder or
unethical
Reprogramming of adult stem cells is inefficient,
holds some risk of tumors due to DNA disruption
Provides hope for the treatment of or greater
understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s
disease, ALS, cancer, heart disease, genetic
defects, and spinal cord injury

7. The Controversy: Neg
Embryonic stem cells have not been
adequately researched, and the dangers
inherent in their medical use are largely
unknown
The harvesting of embryonic stem cells
requires the death of an embryo
This harvesting often requires an induced
abortion; constitutes murder
Where harvesting does not require induced
abortion, such as excess in IVF, harvesting still
requires the death of an embryo
Donated embryos are in limited supply

8. Alternatives
Stem cells derived from the bone
marrow of adults can be
reprogrammed to become pluripotent
like embryonic stem cells
Donation of adult stem cells between
blood relatives
Stem cells derived from amniotic fluid
during amniocentesis

9. Moving Forward
Should the Federal Government fund
embryonic stem cell research?
Are adult stem cells or embryonic stem
cells more feasible for therapy and
research purposes?
Can embryonic stem cells be harvested in
a humane and ethical manner?
What legal rights does an embryo have?

10. Works Cited
Bethesda, MD. "Stem Cell Basics: What Are Embryonic Stem Cells?" Stem
Cell Information. The National Institutes of Health, 13 Sept. 2010. Web.
14 Nov. 2012. <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp>.
Imperial College London. "Amniotic fluid yields alternatives to embryonic
stem cells.“ ScienceDaily, 2 Jul. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.
Rugnetta, Michael, and Michael Peroski. "A Life Sciences
Crucible." American Progress. Center for American Progress, 16 Jan.
2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/technology/report/2009/01/16/5
466/a-life-sciences-crucible/>.
Rugnetta, Michael, and Michael Peroski. "A Life Sciences Crucible." Center
for American Progress. Center for American Progress, 16 Jan. 2009. Web.
14 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/technology/report/2009/01/16/5
466/a-life-sciences-crucible/>.
"Timeline: A Brief History of Stem Cell Research." Science Progress.
Timeline: A Brief History of Stem Cell Research, 16 Jan. 2009. Web. 14
Nov. 2012. <http://scienceprogress.org/2009/01/timeline-a-brief-history-
of-stem-cell-research/>.