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Her.meneutics is edited by associate editor Katelyn Beaty and online editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey.

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December 22, 2009

When Stem Cell Research Isn’t Embryonic

Christians have reason to celebrate miracles of adult stem cell research.

Alicia Cohn

At the conclusion of another year, perhaps we should take a moment to take note of progress in adult stem cell research. Two compelling stories that caught my eye in just the past month took most of 2009 to make headlines as success stories.

stemcell.jpg

This month in Australia, 20-year-old Ben Leahy, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (a disease of the nervous system) walked away from his wheelchair after a treatment earlier this year involving his own adult stem cells. Family Research Council describes the treatment and provides a list of other successful, similar treatments for patients with Multiple Sclerosis. According to Leahy’s doctor, Colin Andrews, “the risk of death [for the procedure that] was at around 8 percent several years ago” has improved to a risk of less than 1 percent. As doctors in Sydney continue to use the method, we can expect the research to improve.

Also, in Britain, a rock climber named Andrew Kent was in danger of losing his leg after multiple breaks and infection, until doctors used a mix of collagen and his own adult stem cells to “glue” the bones back together. This month, six months after the procedure, the support system was removed, and his doctor said, “after 18 months his bones will have healed completely.” Kent should be able to climb again.

Where the mainstream media reported these stories, the articles often omitted a reference to the “stem cell treatment” as adult rather than embryonic.

However, if you know anyone personally who could eventually benefit from advancements in stem cell research, as I do, you realize quickly how important it is to emphasize the distinction. Research suggests that adult stem cells are producing more demonstrable results than embryonic stem cells have so far, despite the fact that, in the United States, a majority of the funding (including federal, since President Obama eliminated restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research earlier this year) and publicity goes into embryonic stem cells.

While celebrities such as Michael J. Fox (Parkinson’s disease) and Christopher Reeve (quadriplegic) helped popularize stem cell research as an important cause, both of their fundraising foundations emphasize the importance and merits of embryonic, rather than adult, stem cell research. This promotes one-sided awareness. Embryonic stem cell research concerns many Christians because of its ramifications for the humane treatment of the cells of “unwanted” babies. There are arguments for both sides of the issue because so many unborn cells exist in our country today, and much speculation exists about the potential to use these “surplus” cells. Many people celebrated the fact that this month also brought the first human embryonic stem cell lines approved for research under the new laws. However, these so-called extra cells are fertilized embryos, and therefore an early stage of human life. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are commonly extracted from the patient’s own bone marrow, as in cases of Leahy and Kent.

Christians often accept an unwarranted reputation for being science-phobic because we tend to sound the alarm and raise red flags where issues of conscience are concerned. That’s all the more reason why we should celebrate stories that prove how successful science can be when scientists choose methods that respect life. Stem cell research is important, and stories of its success are cause for thanksgiving to hundreds of people in need of improved living standards.
If God has given us the capacity for invention and imbued us with his own creative spirit (as I believe he has), consider that scientific advancement, united with methods that respect life, can be an answer to prayer.

Alicia Cohn previously interned at Christianity Today magazine. She has written for Her.meneutics about Christmas, Sarah Palin's Going Rogue, Anne Graham Lotz, parental rights, journalists in North Korea, Juanita Bynum, the Breast Cancer Bible, and The Stoning of Soraya M.

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Posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey on December 22, 2009 10:04 AM

Comments

All anti-science folks may not be Christians, but it is usually Christians who oppose the embryonic stem cell research that might provide a path out of suffering for millions of unlucky people who have incurable diseases. As an ovarian cancer survivor and 14 year Parknson's disease prisoner I especially don't like the lies they promote about ESCR, namely that babies are being killed. Since when was lying a Christian value?

Posted By: Rayilyn Brown | December 22, 2009 2:17 PM

While I agree that the majority of people wrongly place their focus on embryonic stem cells, these adult stem cell techniques wouldn't have been possible without careful study of their embryonic sisters. Here is a quote from Jamie Thomson, one of the first scientist to culture stem cells in the world.

"Human-induced pluripotent stem cells — the transformed adult cells that seem to mimic the qualities of embryonic stem cells — would not have been possible without research on human embryonic stem cells."

Currently, these adult stem cell techniques use just as many embryonic cells as adult, so giving praise such as "methods that respect life" is a little premature. However, I ultimately feel that pluripotent stem cells will be the way to go, but we have a long way to go.

Posted By: Derek Bailey | December 22, 2009 2:41 PM

Rayilyn: Your assertion of "lies" recognizes the conceptual and linguistic difficulties that associate with understanding and expressing the relationship between ESC and human development. The source of ESC is the inner cell mass (ICM) of a blastula. Retrieval of ESC from the ICM of a blastula typically entails irreparable damage to the blastula, thus rendering the blastula nonviable and incapable of further embryogenic development. The blastula is a stage of human embryogenesis, and hence human development. Thus, to destroy a blastula for the purpose of retrieving ESC is to destroy embryonic human life. Therefore, for those who equate embryonic human life with "baby", then the retrieval of ESC from blastulas is "killing babies". One may dispute the precision and accuracy of words and signifiers, but such does not detract from the logic and veracity of the argument that the retrieval of native ESC from blastulas does abort further embryonic human development.

Derek: Your argument is not clear to me, but I surmise that your conclusion is that because ESC were used to advance the development, and subsequent and current use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), that iPSC technology does not deserve the praise "methods that respect life". While earlier work in the development of iPSC required research using ESC, this is no longer the case. A large body of research documents the genetic reprogramming or "de-differentiation" of different types of somatic (adult) tissue cells that revert to pluripotency. The creation, characterization and application of iPSC no longer require ESC counterparts. Moreover, except for those who contend that comparative effectiveness research must also apply to stem cell therapies, current basic and clinical research continue to generate data that demonstrate the clinical effectiveness and ethical appropriateness of iPSC.

Posted By: Greg Manship | December 22, 2009 4:31 PM

Greg, you know very well that accusing sick people of murdering babies conjures up the idea of an entity, form, or fetus that is being destroyed for research, not microscopic undifferentiated cells. if anyone takes the time to look it can be seen that no matter what you call a blastocyst, we are talking about germ cells. It is a problem of semantics only to the extent that an "embryo" is a misnomer.

Posted By: Rayilyn Brown | December 22, 2009 9:52 PM

Whoa, a lot of heated stuff going on here. I think it's fantastic that adult stem cells are moving far ahead of embryonic stem cells in terms of medical applications and research, for the ease and effectiveness of use, if not for the ethical standpoint.

Some scientists might argue that embryonic stem cells have far more potential, and this may be true, but there are a few scientists that have discovered that stem cells from young children are far more versatile than 'adult' stem cells, and can be more easily multiplied and stored for that child's use in the future. For instance, BioEDEN is a company based in the USA and the UK that stores stem cells found in children's milk teeth, which can be used to create bone and tissue - the tooth stem cells seem to be almost as versatile as embryonic stem cells, but with none of the ethical implications. Even better, the stem cells don't have to be 'extracted' from the child - they are taken from a tooth when it falls out naturally.

I think scientific progress like this needs to be praised - embryonic research simply can't match up to the progress being made in other areas, which is great for ethics and great for people's well being!

Posted By: Alex | December 23, 2009 3:30 AM

This is indeed most wonderful news, which again highlights the tremendous ability and scope there is in this new ‘Stem Cell Technology’.

This must be the best Christmas present Mr Turnbul could have, I sincerely wish him well in his recovery.

Those who carry out chemical weapons attacks should all be sentenced to long prison sentences of ‘Hard Labour’ up early to bed late, and without any chance of reduced sentences regardless of age.

Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk

Posted By: Carl Barron | December 23, 2009 7:51 AM

You make no mention of Parkinsons Disease! Are these stem cells being used to alleviate the ravages of this disease? When will the sufferers be given these stem cells?

Posted By: Roslyn | December 25, 2009 9:22 AM

I think Cryo and Stem cell treatment is in fact one of the most revolutionary ideas of today. To store stem cells in their original form, you need experts. PrincetonCryo is one such organization that provides Cryo Rate Freezers that not only are cheaper than market rates but also offer unmatched quality and shell life. You can have a look at their website.

Posted By: Cath Princeton | December 27, 2009 9:48 AM

Hello
I am always interested in any genetics and human genetics is my favorite.Its interesting for me to know about multiple sclerosis.I completely agree with you that stem cells research is very important.

Posted By: mincir  | January 5, 2010 4:09 AM

The Facts:

Embryonic stem cell research produces tumors! That is a fact!!! So why does the government, scientists and doctors still continue on this destructive path... because its "Big Business."

Adult stem cells have saved over 120 lives! So why hasn't the secular community acknowledged and follow this path to healing... because Satan is the god of this world, and death is in his wake.

nuf said!!!

Posted By: Katelynn | January 7, 2010 2:40 PM

We should have more openness in testing and funds availability to the organizations for treatments like stem cell research . Stem cell treatments are going play a major role and change way of medical sciences in the near future.

Posted By: Cathy Davis | February 25, 2010 11:56 AM

When Dr. José Luis Salgado Ruiz was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nearly six years ago, he thought his career and his future were over. Parkinson's Disease, also known as PD, is a neurodegenerative condition that affects the central nervous system. The condition causes tremors, slowed movement, as well as a decrease in motor skills, speech, and daily living skills and activities such as buttoning clothes, tying shoes, cooking, writing, and range of motion and mobility.

"At ProgenCell, we extract a bone marrow from the hip bone or tibia under local anesthesia, and then utilized our proprietary techniques to activate the stem cells to grow. The patient is infused with an IV (intravenous) procedure and also with a special injection in the lumbar area to deposit the solution into the spinal fluid that washes the brain," reports Dr. Hugo Navarrete, a specialist of neurology at ProgenCell.

Thanks for everything, I'm so glad that I spoke to you and found such a wonderful stem cell treatment. If you need to visit this hospital then feel free here: 1.303.578.0719, info@placidway.com

Posted By: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy | July 27, 2010 6:14 AM

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