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CONTINUED STEM CELL RESEARCH:
THE MEDICAL BENEFITS AND END OF DEBATE
David Bisio (dbb23@pitt.edu)
INTRODUCTION: THE BENEFITS OF
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Despite being a relatively new field within
bioengineering and medical study, stem cell research has
become a house-hold subject and a hot topic of debate in
mainstream culture and media. The ethical issues and
questions are well known: is it moral to use developing
embryos for scientific progress and medical research? At
what point during development are we considered human?
Naturally, the complex biological and medical benefits of
stem cell research are less known but extremely diverse,
inspiring, and potentially ground-breaking. Recent
discoveries have led scientists to believe that stem cells
could be the key to transplanting organs, recovering and
growing biological tissue, testing new drugs, researching
gene abnormalities, and finding cures for major diseases,
like heart failure and diabetes. With greater funding and
support, technological developments like the polymer pen
lithograph and exploration into alternative stem cells found
in adults and even breast milk could eliminate the need for
embryos in research all together and end moral debates.
While the Codes of Ethics offer little clarity on the issue,
they do force analysis and bring up interesting questions
about alternative stem cell information. Coming from a
family with a history of diabetes and bone complications, I
see stem cell research, with all its possibilities and benefits,
becoming a key component of medicine and a significant
step in human progress. Stem cell research should not only
continue but be increased because of the medical
possibilities stem cells offer and the promising alternatives
to embryonic stem cells in development. In reflecting on the
whole assignment process, I found great educational value in
the essay’s writing and research requirements and focus on
current issues and judgment.
STEM CELLS: A BIOLOGICAL
OVERVIEW
Stem cells are the building blocks of our development
from sperm and egg to functioning human. Most of our cells
are differentiated, meaning they have developed certain
structures or processes from proteins found in RNA that
allow them to perform a specific function or group together
to form a certain organ. Lung cells differ from skin cells
because the lungs and skin have to perform different tasks.
In the same way, lung cells can only divide into more lung
cells. Stem cells, however, are undifferentiated; they have
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
Submission Date
no specific structures or functions. Therefore, they “can
divide to produce some offspring cells that continue as stem
cells and some cells that are destined to differentiate” [1]. It
is from the division of stem cells and the specialization of
their offspring that we, as embryos, began to grow the
necessary organs and tissues to survive. Throughout life,
stem cells produce more offspring that help rebuild the body
[1].
THE BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL
BENEFITS: FROM TRANSPLANTS TO
DRUG RESEARCH
Tissue Engineering: Renewal, Regrowth, and
Transplantation
Because of their ability to produce undifferentiated cell
populations, stem cells have long been seen as a possible key
to cellular renewal and tissue growth both in and outside the
body. If given the right proteins or stimulants, the
undifferentiated stem cells differentiate and rebuild organs
and tissues with new cells. Dedifferentiation, the reverting of
specialized cells back into stem cells, can also occur. Since
many wide-spread diseases are the result of failing or
disabled cells and tissues, stem cells offer possible future
cures to major illnesses, such as heart failure, diabetes, and
Parkinson’s. Only recently, however, with technological
advances, have scientists been able to put studies into action.
In 2009, scientists successfully “isolated heart tissue”
from patients suffering from heart complications, “cultured
the tissue in a laboratory, stimulated cell dedifferentiation,
and then reinfused the cardiac stem cells directly into the
[patients’ hearts]”[1]. Out of fourteen subjects, all showed
noticeable advancement in heart function [1].
When injected with differentiated bone-marrow stem
cells, diabetic patients showed prolonged control of insulin
levels and longer retention of insulin injections. The
transplantation of human stem cells specialized as insulin
producers into diabetic mice also resulted in augmented
levels of insulin and retention [2].
Lastly, “[in] the case of Parkinson’s disease, a
neurodegenerative disease affecting dopaminergic neurons,
stem cell transplantation has been performed successfully
leading to partial alleviation of Parkinson symptoms” [2].
Scientists have not stopped at partial tissue regeneration,
though. “A tissue-engineered trachea (windpipe), utilizing
the patient’s own stem cells, [was] successfully transplanted
into a young woman suffering from failing airways” [2]. By
David Bisio
cultivating stem cells directly from the patient, fully
engineered organs do not carry the risk of immune system
rejection by the host and thus may come to provide a more
specialized and safer option to traditional organ transplants
in years to come [2].
knowledge, why do so many people not know that
alternatives to embryonic stem cell harvesting now exist or
are being developed which could put an end to the ethical
debate [4]? I believe that more information should be
presented to the public about this promising area.
Gene and Drug Research
ALTERNATIVES TO EMBRYONIC
STEM CELLS
With the ability to differentiate stem cells into certain
specialized cells comes the possibility of gene and drug
research. Scientists could produce cells with certain genes
emphasized or negated through coded proteins and observe
the effects this has on the function of the cell. Findings
would greatly impact the field of genetics and gene therapy.
Similarly, through differentiation, researchers could test
drugs on specific engineered cells or tissues, perhaps
malfunctioning, to see the effects of the drug.
Stem cells are broken up into two main categories,
embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. The harvesting of
adult stem cells from specific areas of the body like the heart
and bone marrow does not result in the death of the adult
human [1]. Ongoing studies have shown that adult stem cells
“exist in most, if not all, tissues” [6]. A University of
Western Australia researcher recently proved the presence of
stem cells even in breast milk [7]. Adult stem cells are more
specialized than their embryonic counterparts and naturally
produce cells with a more narrow range of differentiation
centered on the organ in which the adult stem cell resides.
However, recent developments have shown that adult stem
cell “specificity may be more flexible than originally
thought” [6]. The breast milk stem cells were successfully
differentiated into bone, liver, and brain cells [7]. As
mentioned earlier, scientists reversed the natural flow of
cellular specification and performed dedifferentiation on
cardiac stem cells. The adult stem cells showed a wider
range of differentiation in their offspring after the process
[1].
The development of polymer pen lithographs at
Northwestern University might make the use of adult stem
cells as viable alternatives to embryotic stem cells even more
legitimate. The polymer pen lithograph is essentially a
“rubber stamp having as many as 11 million sharp
pyramids” mounted on glass [8]. “Each pyramid…is coated
with molecules for a particular purpose” that form millions
of possible cellular differentiations when they interact with
stem cells [8]. After applying analytics, researchers can
target what molecule or protein led to a certain
differentiation. This new technology has also led to the
production of differentiated stem cells on a mass scale [8].
CURRENT ETHICAL ISSUES WITH
STEM CELL RESEARCH
The major hurdle that stem cell research faces today is
still the controversy over ethics. The harvesting of
embryonic stem cells results in the destruction of the
embryo. “For persons who believe that life begins at
conception…destroying an embryo is as repugnant as killing
an adult human being,” a stance which hinders financial
support and thus technological growth [3]. It is here that
engineers face a large dilemma. In accordance with the
National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics,
“Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and
wellbeing of the public,” but this becomes tricky when the
public is divided on what it believes is health and for its
wellbeing [4]. The question is not a scientific one but one of
opinion: when does life really begin, at conception or later in
development? While the Code of Ethics does not offer
guidance on the issue and creates an obstacle for stem cell
research, I believe it is important nonetheless because it
forces debate and analysis. Engineers carry a considerable
responsibility for our society, so new development should be
looked and discussed from multiple angles.
Politics have become influential in the debate as well.
During his administration, which generally aligned closer to
Christian fundamentalist groups on moral issues, President
Bush ended funding of stem cell research and restricted
studies. Breakthroughs in the field slowed as bioengineers
were and still are required to follow all “governmental…
research guidelines” according to the BES Code of Ethics
[5]. Barack Obama got rid of the Bush limitations when
elected in 2008 [3].
While neither the NSPE nor the BES Code of Ethics
affected my position on stem cell research and did not
provide specific guidance, it did make me think about
alternatives to embryonic stem cells. If engineers are
encouraged to increase public understanding and mass
EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Writing Style and Research Process
While this writing assignment required a hefty amount of
both time and effort to produce a satisfactory product, I
certainly see the educational value it offers. It is no secret
that engineers are stereotypically poor writers, having
trouble communicating information, whether personal or
scientific, to the public through text. Much of this is due to a
lack of practice in high school or simple disinterest in an
area that doesn’t involve math or science. In doing this
assignment, young engineers are forced to practice writing at
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David Bisio
a level much higher than high school. Poor skills and bad
habits can be identified and fixed. Being a research paper,
this assignment requires students to become familiar with
the library system on campus and develop the ability to find
relevant, recent, and reliable information: skills that will be
used throughout their college career. This assignment had
very strict formatting guidelines that, at times, I found
extremely tedious. However, even these offered educational
value as similar restrictions and guidelines will need to be
met in order to articles and research published later in our
careers. Being a longer essay, the assignment also gave us
practice in time management and planning.
biomedical field but also offer more than a chance of curing
these painful illnesses. While I am not for the destruction of
embryos, enough alternative options are out there to make
stem cell research ethical and effective.
CONCLUSION: BENEFITS AND
ALTERNATIVES
Stem cells offer numerous medical benefits with their
ability to produce more undifferentiated cells. Recent
research has shown that diseases such as heart failure,
diabetes, and Parkinson’s can be lessened as a result of
tissue-related engineering. Furthermore, whole organs
constructed from stem cells can be successfully transplanted
into humans. Gene research and drug testing are also
becoming possible uses for stem cells. Adult stem cells
continue to be proven as realistic alternatives to embryonic
stem cells. With the development of polymer pen
lithography technology, adult stem cells might soon replace
the need for sacrificing embryos all together. The Codes of
Ethics provided little specific guidance but focused correctly
on discussion and doing what’s best for society. Despite its
time requirement, this assignment had multisided
educational value. With so many proven and possible
medical and biological benefits along with promising
alternatives that may end ethical debates, stem cells must
continue to be researched as a future in science.
Current Engineering Research
Swamped in a constant flow of homework, studying, and
exams, I have found it very difficult to keep up-to-date with
events and developments taking place outside of the college
classroom and campus. Doing research on current
engineering topics and debates thus comes as a fresh breathe
of air with great educational value. In a field which is
changing more rapidly than ever with growing technology, it
is of vital importance for engineers to stay on top of recent
breakthroughs and ideas. As college students, we might very
well be working on the same or similar problems upon
graduation. Engineering has always been based on
improvement and revision so knowing what is being
researched and what obstacles are blocking the road is
essential to progress and success.
REFERENCES
Judgment and Reflection
[1]Unknown author. (2012). “stem cell.” Encyclopedia
Britannica Online Academic Edition. (Online article).
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/565211/stemcell.
[2]M. Jurga, C. Leeb, C. McGuckin, et al. (2011). “New
perspectives in stem cell research: beyond embryonic stem
cells.”
Cell
Proliferation.
(Online
article).
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2010.00725.x. pp. 9-14
[3]S. Boslaugh. (2010). “Stem-Cell Research.” Culture
Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices.
(Online
article).
http://www.credoreference.com/entry/sharpecw/stem_cell_r
esearch.
[4]Unknown author, (2006). “National Society of
Professional Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineers.”
National Academy of Engineering. (Online article).
http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/ethcodes/EnglishCod
es/9972.aspx
[5]Unknown author, (Unknown year). “Biomedical
Engineering Society Code of Ethics.” Biomedical
Engineering
Society.
(Online
article).
http://www.bmes.org/aws/BMES/pt/sp/ethics
[6]P. Zandstra and A. Nagy. (2001). “Stem Cell
Bioengineering.” Annual Reviews. (Online article).
So far, I have found that my engineering classes have
been pretty white and black. When studying math and
sciences, there are right answers and there are wrong
answers; very little gray area. In real life, however, there is
gray area and engineers can easily get caught in the middle
of it. By writing an essay on a current development, it helps
remind studying engineers that engineering is not
opinionless and emotionless. The assignment made us
become familiar with the engineering codes of ethics and
realize that good judgment is necessary in real-life
engineering. Engineers must “develop the mindset” of
problem solving and this assignment helped us to progress in
that [9].
PERSONAL REASONS FOR BEING A
STEM CELL ADVOCATE
I come from a family with a long line of diabetes and
heart problems and throughout high school, I worked on the
dementia ward of a retirement home. I have personally
witnessed the physical hardships and emotional distresses
that accompany these diseases. As a future bioengineer, I
believe that stem cells are not only the future of the
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David Bisio
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.bioe
ng.3.1.275.
[7]Unknown author. (2011). “Stem Cells in Breastmilk.”
Investment
Weekly
News.
(Online
newsletter).
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/?verb=sr&
csi=337920&sr=HLEAD(Stem+Cell+Research)+and+date+i
s+November+26%2C+2011.
[8]Unknown author. (2012). “Influencing stem cell fate.”
Energy
Weekly
News.
(Online
newsletter).
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/?verb=sr&
csi=337815&sr=HLEAD(Stem+Cell+Research)+and+date+i
s+March+23%2C+2012.
[9]B. M. Gordon, M. B. Silevitch. (2009). “Re-engineering
Engineering Education.” New England Journal of Higher
Education.
(Online
article).
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=34
d029d9-eb34-4dba-8282e65c54dd4bdb%40sessionmgr111&vid=2&hid=118
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my parents for the motivation and
focus they provided, my Uncle Steven for topic inspiration,
and Janine Carlock for her description of and help with the
assignment.
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