Clarification is needed on this short piece I wrote earlier this week on using adult stem cells to grow kidney cells as a potential treatment for my kidney failure.
First of all, these are adult stem cells I’m talking about, not embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the source of much controversy, most of it important, about whether or not embryos are life and whether or not these cells—which, when harvested, cause the destruction of the embryo—should be used to prolong the lives of adults. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to grow into virtually any type of cell. There are cogent arguments on both sides, but they aren’t relevant in the case of adult stem cells like those that could possibly benefit my condition.
In the case of adult stem cells being used to grow healthy kidney cells, the stem cells are harvested through a bone marrow transplant. In talking with medical experts, I’ve come to understand that it’s possible that my own bone marrow could be used to harvest the necessary stem cells. I’ve had dreams of kidneys being grown in vats, so this isn’t too far fetched (of course I’ve also had recurring dreams of waking up in Bangkok minus my kidneys, so I’ve learned not to put too much stock in my dreams).
With all that said, let’s take a look at the problems with President Bush’s position on embryonic stem cell research. The biggest problem is identified by Ruth Hubbard, board member of the Council for Responsible Genetics and Harvard professor emeritus of biology. “The most immediate problem with Bush’s stance is that by saying there will be no federal funding for initial stem cell research, that means there will be no federal regulation,” Hubbard said. Most other countries regulate embryonic stem cell research and Hubbard points out that excess research embryos are a result of lack of regulation in the United States.
Medical doctor Quentin Young, national coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program was even more blunt: “Bush’s statement on stem cell research is the latest in a series of doublespeak pronouncements where the fig leaf of high morality—the sanctity of life—poorly conceals his fundamental ethic: a commitment to corporate exploitation and commodification of everything.”
President Bush basically dodged the question by pledging to provide federal funding only for research on stem cells that already exist. In order to qualify for federal funding, researchers must limit their investigations to cells taken from one of the 60 existing stem cell lines already created. Stem cells are capable of indefinite self-replication, so millions of cells can be derived from a single embryo. Each derived cell is a member of the original stem cell line and is severely limited with regard to genetic diversity.
Some medical ethicists argue that there are nowhere near 60 existing stem cell lines, stating that the actual number is somewhere between 6 and 15.
Bush hedged his bet by appointing Dr. Leon Kass, known for his opposition to embryonic stem cell research, as the chairman of the monitoring council. In addition, Bush announced that US$250 million in federal funds will be given for adult stem cell research. Adult stem cells are already “programmed” to produce certain types of cells and some researchers say that they are therefore not as powerful or flexible as embryonic stem cells.
Just to make my position absolutely clear: I’m not interested in having embryonic stem cells used to treat my kidney failure; in fact I would refuse such a treatment. But I’m absolutely ecstatic at the possibility of adult stem cells—maybe even my own—being used to help my condition.
Update 24 July 2004: Never say never. After much research and reflection I’m convinced that embryonic stem cell research holds vast and unique possiblities for treatment of chronic and debilitating disease, including end-stage renal disease. I’d welcome such treatment and would jump at the chance to participate in any regeneration human trials. I don’t understand much of anything that Monash University researchers are doing in this area, but I understand the time-lapse image sequence clearly showing kidney regeneration.
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