Science and Politics 1

Science and Politics Don’t Mix: The Debate on Stem Cell Research

Susan Frickman, RN, OCN

Jacksonville University

NUR 440

Mary Gipson

June 5, 2005
 Science and Politics 2

Science and Politics Don’t Mix: The Debate on Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body. They have the ability to

develop into about 260 types of cells and tissue. Stem cells have exceptional capacity to form

specific cell lines in the developing embryo; they can become anything: heart, muscle, brain,

skin, blood. Investigators believe that by guiding stem cells in the laboratory into specific cell

types, they can one day be used to treat serious diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease,

Alzheimer's and heart disease (The President's Council on Bioethics, 2004).

The ethical issues arise because of the origin of stem cells. Stem cells are collected from

accepted sources such as the bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, but the primary clinical

source of these cells is unused embryos, currently housed in frozen storage at fertility clinics or

aborted or miscarried fetuses (Lachman, 2004). Therefore, the issue that seems to form the heart

of the debate is whether an embryo represents a human life. This debate extends beyond the

uncertainties of scientific advancements to the realm of religious, ethical and even political

consideration.

Medical researchers first isolated stem cells from human embryos and fetuses donated for

research in 1998. Scientists, eager to learn the full potential of their discovery, lobbied for a

ruling by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1999 that exempted this promising

research from an earlier Congressional ban on funding studies involving the destruction of

human embryos. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed strict criteria to help ensure

that investigators involved in research in this arena conducted their studies in an ethical and legal

manner (Institute of Governmental Studies University of California, 2004).

Early in his bid for the presidency, Gov. George W. Bush of Texas made it known that he

did not approve of our government funding research that destroys human embryos. Following his

election in 2000, Bush honored his campaign promise (Frum, 2004). On August 9, 2001, in his

first televised address as President of the United States, George W. Bush took a stand on stem

cell research. Speaking to the nation from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, President Bush vowed

that government funds would be used only for research on “existing stem cell lines that were

derived: (1) with the informed consent of the donors; (2) from excess embryos created solely for

reproductive purposes; and (3) without any financial inducements to the donors” (The White

House, 2001).

At the time, the President believed that there were greater than 60 stem cell lines in

existence, derived from embryos that had already been destroyed for the purpose of research.

Bush told Americans that the cells were representative of populations from throughout the world

and had infinite ability to regenerate. His policy would allow federal funds to be used for

ongoing research on these available stem cell lines, while preventing further destruction of

human embryos. Bush demonstrated compassion and an understanding of the ethical and moral

viewpoint of the many Americans who regard these cell clusters as a human life. Conversely, he

acknowlegded the value of scientific reasearch and the potential for state of the art therapy, or

even cure, for many debilitating diseases (Bush, 2001). Perhaps this administrative policy would

put an and to dinner table debates and politicizing the sensitive issue.

When President Bush made his policy decision the NIH registry listed a total of 78

human embryonic stem cell lines that were eligible for use in federally funded research. Many of

these stem cell lines were subsequently found to be unavailable or unsuitable for study. In May
 Science and Politics 4

2003, representatives from the NIH testified that in fact there were only 15 stem cell lines

available. There are many groups now calling on the president to ease the restrictions he placed

on stem cell research (Chase, 2004). Federal money plays a critical role in medical advancement

and investigators are hopeful that recent clinical discoveries and congressional pressure will lead

the Bush administration to reconsider (Kalb and Raymond, 2004).

Recognizing that stem cell research has enormous potential for the effective treatment of

human disease and suffering, open discussion, ongoing review and debate are essential.

Biomedical research and technological advances almost always incite ethical debate. The

President’s speech laid the groundwork for an oversight council to monitor stem cell research.

He appointed nationally renowned researchers, ethicists, clergy, physicians and lawyers to

explore the moral significance and ethical questions related to research involving human

embryonic stem cells (Bush, 2001).

The ethical debate over this sensitive issue is appropriate and will likely continue for

years to come. Bioethics has evolved as a distinct field of interest, valuable in facilitating ethical

decision making that has become increasingly difficult in an era of advanced medical technology

and a more educated public (Bourret, n.d.). Thorough analysis of ethical questions that arise

requires a systematic method to determine and select the best possible solution. Only after the

facts, the values, and the conflicts have been sorted can creative solutions be proposed (Badzek,

Mitchell, Marra & Bower, 1998).

References

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confidentiality/privacy issues. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Retreived June 5,

2005 from http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic8/topic8_2.htm

Bourret, J. A. (n.d.). Primer: bioethics for oncology practitioners. Retrieved June 5, 2005 from

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Bush, George W. (2001). Remarks by the president on stem cell research. Retreived June 3, 2005

from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html

Chase, R. (2004, August 3). Lawmakers want to ease stem cell research restrictions [Electronic

version]. USA Today.

Frum, D. (2004, April 5). Bush is the one. National Review, 56 (6), 34-36.

Institute of Governmental Studies University of California (2004). Proposition 71: stem cell

research. Retreived June 3, 2005 from

http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/htProp71StemCell.html

Kalb, C. and Raymond, J. (2004, March 15). Brand new stem cells [Electronic version].

Newsweek 143(11).

Lachman, V. D. (2004). Ethical issues surround stem cell research, organ transplantation and

palliative care. Advance for Nurses 6(8), 19-21.

The President's Council on Bioethics. (2004) Monitoring stem cell research. Washington, D.C.

Retreived June 3, 2005 from http://www.bioethics.gov/reports/stemcell/

The President's Council on Bioethics. (2005) White paper: Alternative sources of pluripotent

stem cells. Washington, D.C. Retreived June 3, 2005 from

http://www.bioethics.gov/reports/white_paper/index.html

The White House. (2001). Fact sheet :Embryonic stem cell research. Retreived June 3, 2005

from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-1.html