Current Issues

Stem Cell Research

Perhaps one of the most " current " current issues these days is what is happening in the area of Stem Cell Research. Will stem cell research will be the next crisis topic in bioethics? As with any crisis, it is important to find out what we can do about it and be prepared to enter the debate!

What are the types of stem cell research?

Scientists are engaged in two basic types of stem cell research- adult stem cell research with cells taken from fully mature cells and embryonic stem cell research . Adult stem cell research has already led to successful human treatment in the areas of diabetes, heart disease, etc. The embryonic stem cell research is still in its infancy and has shown no potential to cure diseases or to develop new drugs.

Senator Frist, who is also a physician, in his comments on the Senate floor, warns about giving people a false sense of hope and shares in reference to embryonic stem cell research, "the science is not there today." Although both types of stem cell research hold promise, the Senator notes that we need to move ahead with this research within ethical and moral guidelines.

What is President Bush's stem cell policy?

The President supports and encourages scientific study. He funds all types of stem cell research. There are no funding limits on adult stem cell research, but only embryonic stem cell lines created before August 2001 are eligible for unlimited Federal funding. He has not banned stem cell research in the private sector. The debate then is about federal funding of this research.

What is the issue then?

The importance of moving ahead carefully within an ethical framework is because the human embryo is living and genetically distinct. Added to this dilemma is the fact that embryos can also be created through artificial means. It is important to step back and decide the ethical restrictions about the creation, use and destruction of these embryos.

The guest speaker at our last Current Issues Committee meeting noted that scientists might not have "bad motives," but that it is easy to move on to other destructive acts with the potential for abuse always lurking. In fact, it would not be surprising to learn that scientists are struggling with ethical dilemmas as well.

This research may have a lot of potential, but at what cost?

What is the latest legislation on this issue?

Just this week the House passed the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005" (HR 810) that will federally fund research that requires the destruction of human embryos that have not been used in the in vitro fertilization process. It is likely to be passed by the Senate as well. The President has threatened to veto this expansion bill.

Where do I go from here?

If you are interested in reading more about this topic, look on the Internet, scan the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family websites, read articles in Time and Newsweek. Look to the Word to see what is shared there.

Major Florence Townsend

Assistant Social Services Secretary

Editor's Note:  Major Florence Townsend is the Assistant Social Services Secretary for the Eastern Territory.  She is stationed in W. Nyack, NY and is an ordained minister.