Emani Booker

Professor Tipton

PSYC 2103 Human Development (40384)

28 January 2024

How Should Stem Cell Research Be Funded and Regulated?

Through curiosity and vigorous examination of the body, evidence reveals that the human organism consists of trillions of cells that each have a designated function. From the inferentiality of anatomical and physiological structuring of each individual cell, more empirical data can be extracted through close observation of cell activity. Cell differentiation originating from the microscopic embryo, whether it be pluripotent, multipotent, oligopotent, or unipotent involve the unique division of individualized cells into specialization forming complete multi-organ system complexes. Through more observation and raised concerns about the functionality of the body’s cells, the more requested arrogations of the latest technologies designed specifically to fulfill the needs of experimentation. This means an increase in funding to directly support conducive research in the specific area of study. As scientists unravel the mysteries of human cell capabilities and their potential to conform to other mechanisms of bodily function and illness, some individuals may observe the reconfiguration of embryo cells as inhumane and an act of human cloning. An opposing perspective is made by a Malaysian Scientist witnessing the unmonitored progress of reconfiguring embryonic cells:

That’s actually a good thing [less strict monitoring system] but I don’t think it’s a good thing when you talk about having to experiment on humans, and you’re not very clear on how it’s done…there must still be restriction but when it comes to humans…before we exploit people, we need to understand the science…at this point in time, they are not being very, very restrictive, but it’s open to exploitation (qtd.in Aziz et al. 14).

The risky manipulation and restructuring of human cells should only be funded through individuals who support such experimentation conducted by various research agencies, through the delicate nature of constructing human DNA and the divergence of causation, and through acts of righteousness acknowledging the substantial exigencies of individual citizens assigned within designated countries.

            Should the entire population lend their hard-earned tax dollars to support experimental research that could be done without supplementary funding? Is it an obligation for scientists and researchers to continue finding solutions using stem cells to treat many common illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease? Individuals should have a right to choose if they would like to have their taxes diverted towards scientific research that supports exhaustive outcomes of reaching a possible antidote. Through previously established federal funding programs, research agencies sought permission to perform these specific studies as it was seen as advantageous only from the perspective of stem cells and their inherent properties. The underlying issue that caused major complications was the mere fact of humanness and the destruction of embryos for research purposes. Leon R. Kass, President George W. Bush’s bioethicist, advised that “because embryos are an early form of human life, we at least owe them the respect not to manipulate them for our purposes” (“New Atlantis: A Journal of Technology & Society”). In the attempt of keeping society from unjustly supporting the destruction of embryos, the Bush Administration vetoes a bill explaining that it crosses a “moral boundary” in support of taking innocent human life to find medical benefits for others. Although, the decision was based solely from the preservation of human life, it did not halt the scientific progression of embryonic cell discovery.

          As many research groups and agencies such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) have explicit reasoning behind continued research into the development of human embryonic cell capabilities, it deems necessary to recognize the level of intellectual skill and compassion these scientists have for the future of human embryonic cell usage. Recognition must be credited to NIH scientists who were able to modify a single stretch of human embryonic DNA to treat the most common ailments and illnesses individuals face today. Many diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, blood malignancies including leukemia, and myelomas can be accessed through the restructuring of embryonic DNA, appreciatively. This planned alteration technique opens doors for scientists eager to discover more in studying human embryonic cell (hESCs) genes and provides a pathway to understanding the connection between both hESCs and treatment procedures. NIH scientists have also gained knowledge of the functionality of extracting adult progenitor cells for human treatment purposes informing that “we continue to learn more about stem cells including adult progenitor cells and those derived from umbilical cord blood” (Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research 5). For a quick reference, embryonic, can function as an umbrella term for the following individual cell clusters: totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, oligopotent, and unipotent, in which differentiation occurs from a single embryo allowing the specialization of cells into many functions throughout the body. Adult cells in latter-day terminology, more than likely, will be referred to as multipotent embryonic cells as they reside in adult bone marrow tissue and some parts of the spinal cord. These cells can be easily extracted from the donor’s bone marrow and given to any desired patient. On the opposing side, embryonic cells can also be extracted and cultivated “in vitro” which means occurring in a test tube, culture dish, or elsewhere outside the living organism. The evasive procedures obtaining cells from an embryo is what deters many scientists and raises questions and concerns. It involves the scientist removing the outer layer of a five-day-old embryo and setting the remaining portion on a lab dish containing factors that allow cells of the inner cell mass to grow and thrive. Scientists must be aware of the delicacies and complexity of human life as they perform acts of heroism making proper connections to fit the malformations of any desired patient.

            As there are many advantages to stem cell development and the various functions it currently performs, there are some discrepancies in relation to the services provided by medical personnel or scientists in impoverished areas. In foreign countries, such as Malaysia, many individuals oppose the hESC treatment mainly because of the disorganization of the research agencies and how they lack qualified scientific personnel to perform transplantation. As one respondent of treatment states, “There’s no enforcement, there’s nobody to come knocking on your door unless the only thing that I can thing of is that…maybe because of death only then will they investigate. But if not and nobody complains, it will just go uninvestigated” (qtd. in Aziz et al. 12). Respondents residing in these specific areas complained about the regulatory enforcement for the oversight of unethical or unscientific activities performed by scientists. Therefore, the focus shifts from righteous practices to what should be skillfully enacted upon through proper guidelines and procedures performed by qualified scientists. As there are funding policies in place to increase the overall manageability and productivity of hESCs, competition then arises between relative countries due to the number of resources and job outlook for practicing this research. Scientists, due to limited number of resources, then compete finding better places to relocate where more reasonable research agendas and usage of the latest technologies are readily available. The respondent or patient receiving services must be held first as priority and not through unrighteous acts or hidden agendas to gain resources.

              The development of the latest technologies, the level of proficiency of the most intellectual scientists, and the discoveries made through the complexities of the human body are all major grounding for stem cell research and growth. There are many individuals that are very ill in need of stem cell therapy solutions and procedures for optimal repair, and through proper experimentation, those stem cell operations can be configured precisely. While some agree to the implications of having another individual’s cell DNA take the place of malformed dysfunctional cells, some disagree due to how quickly the validity of such scrupulous experimentation can be implemented throughout society not knowing the severity of consequential reactions. As stated in a Russian News article, “we will turn the killed children into spare parts for humans”(Polyakova). With the complexity of human nature, there must be a dignified standard that all scientific researchers must abide to as the manipulation of DNA holds an immeasurable responsibility. Stem cell research and its constituent theories causes an influx of thoughts and ideas to surface when processing information related to the delicacy of human cell DNA structure and the miraculous outcomes that are made possible to prevail. It’s a true gift of propulsion to see the phenomenal work of those individuals with abstract minds and incomparable scientific geniuses in action.

Works Cited

BIN ABDUL AZIZ, M. F.; MORRISON, M.; KAYE, J. Regulating human stem cell research and therapy in low- and middle-income countries: Malaysian perspectives. New Genetics & Society, [s. l.], v. 37, n. 1, p. 2–20, 2018. DOI 10.1080/14636778.2017.1415137. Disponível em: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=9f530ca5-d8e6-3527-ad38-4887d92033c7. Acesso em: 28 Jan. 2024.

POLYAKOVA, V.; FURSOV, K.; THURNER, T. Public Discourse on Stem Cell Research in Russia: Evolution of the Agenda. Science & Technology Studies, [s. l.], v. 33, n. 4, p. 24–49, 2020. DOI 10.23987/sts.71153. Disponível em: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=88794949-46c6-395e-95f2-fa600b0f9295. Acesso em: 29 Jan. 2024.

Stem Cell Research Funding: Policy and Law. New Atlantis: A Journal of Technology & Society, [s. l.], v. 34, p. 114–128, 2012. Disponível em: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=1c83a44e-5ae6-3b3a-a02e-c7ca570e533e. Acesso em: 28 Jan. 2024.

UNITED STATES. CONGRESS. SENATE. COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, H. and H. S. E. and R. A. author. Federal funding for stem cell research : hearing before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, first session, special hearing, May 22, 2003, Washington, DC. [S. l.: s. n.]. Disponível em: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=72aac8bc-72ef-3e79-9d93-2775d871b96d. Acesso em: 29 Jan. 2024.