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Annotated Bibliography
Reaves, Jessica. "The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research." Time. Time Inc., 11 July
2001. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.
The article gives an overview of the controversy about two types of stem cell
research: embryonic and adult. By focusing more on Reaves talks about the political
implications of supporting stem cell research and the scientific applications that such
research could provide, especially for those with Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, and other
debilitating diseases.
The article does not take a definite stance on either side of the issue, which
provides an overview of the controversy in general. This is helpful as a primer, but no
more than that. It was also written in 2001, when George W. Bush was still president, so
it is rather dated since more than 13 years have passed and the science surrounding stem
cell research as grown in leaps and bounds. It also talks more about embryonic stem cell
research while dismissing adult stem cell research as the less viable and therefore, less
controversial, issue.
Jadin, Jenna. "Stem Cells: Growth and Development...in Policy." JSTOR. American
Institute of Biological Sciences Circulation, AIBS, 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd.,
Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101. USA, 01 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2014.
This article briefly outlines the policy changes that the Obama Administration had
implemented regarding human embryonic stem cell research as of March 2009. It posits
that while funding (as of 2009) had not been granted for proper research, it would be
soon, and stem cells could "truly grow".
The article is helpful because it covers the policy change of the Obama
Administration and the effects that it might have on future research. It is optimistic and
does not take a definite side on whether this is a good policy change; however, it does
imply that once research yields positive results, the controversy surrounding embryonic
stem cells will dissipate. The article is short and concise. It does not delve into the "other
pressing policy issues" mentioned, but rather glosses over them.
Zhang, Lianghui, Glenn Marsboom, Danielle Glick, Yanmin Zhang, Peter T. Toth,
Nicole Jones, Asrar B. Malik, and Jalees Rehman. "Bioenergetic Shifts during
Transitions between Stem Cell States (2013 Grover Conference Series)." JSTOR.
University of Chicago PressChicago, IL, 09 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 Sept. 2014.
This article focuses more on growth and self-renewal of stem cells at the cellular
level. It brings up the "regulatory metabolic pathways" present in all stem cells and how
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they regulate the function of a stem cell. As I understand it, progress is being made in the
"differentiation" of stem cells, which means that the metabolic pathways and processes
contained within the cell help control what kind of cell it will end up being.. It included
information on adult stem cell research as well, but ultimately concluding in very
scientific terms that embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells differ in their "degree of
pluripotency/multipotency".
Magnus, Tim, Ying Liu, Graham C. Parker, and Mahendra S. Rao. "Stem Cell
Myths." The Royal Society 363.1489 (2008): 9-22. Print.
This article addresses the common misconceptions about stem cells. Due to new
research in the last decade, many commonly held ideas about stem cells and their various
applications are identified and discussed. It focuses mainly on the science side of stem
cells, with lots of focus on the differentiation of the types of stem cells. There are
differences in the adaptability of fetal versus adult stem cells. The article does make it
clear that due to these adaptability differences, adult stem cells have different, more
specific applications than fetal stem cells.
Due to the heavy science jargon in the article, it was a little hard to understand.
However, it was very helpful when it detailed the differences in maturation and function
between fetal stem cells and adult stem cells. The article was well written and presented,
although it was a little over my head in some areas. The reliance on scientific research
rather than opinion was extremely helpful because it presented proven, tested facts.
Watt, Fiona M., and Ryan R. Driskell. "The Therapeutic Potential of Stem
Cells." Philosophical Transactions: Biological Tendencies 365.1537 (2010): 15563. JSTOR. ITHAKA, 12 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
This article gives a brief overview of the history of stem cell research. It shares
the original categories that stem cells fell into and explains why the field itself had
trouble becoming established and respected. The article talks about current therapeutic
and clinical applications of stem cells as they are used today. Most importantly, it
explains how stem cell therapies can provide new approaches to anti-cancer treatments.
The article also reinforces the idea that adult stem cells are somewhat more limited in
application than fetal stem cells, but they are still widely used in clinical therapies.
The article is very easy to read and comprehend, unlike many research-based
articles that contain heavy science jargon. It was extremely useful in detailing the current
clinical stem cell therapies that are used today. The article did briefly touch on an ethical
note about stem cell therapies needing to be internationally regulated.
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Rodriguez, Leeza. "Texas Regulations for Adult Stem Cell Therapies Will Advance
Research." Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells. Ed. Susan C. Hunnicutt. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Texas Medical Board and WSJ
OpEd: Tipping Point for Stem Cell
Industry." www.cosmeticsurg.net/blog/2012/04/18/ 18 Apr. 2012. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
This article was a general overview of the new, Texas Medical Board regulations
that allow Texas physicians to offer autologus stem cell therapies. The article talked
about how the FDA does not have a set of regulations for adult stem cell therapies, but it
has regulations for fetal stem cell therapies and allogenic stem cell therapies. This was
particularly interesting given the included detail that adult stem cell treatments are the
most widely used.
The article was reasonable well written and very easy to understand. It was
intended as an overview of the effects of the TMB's regulations, not only on Texas, but
the medical community as well. It did not go into much detail or debate over how quickly
the therapies would be made available in Texas. However, it did present an ethical side to
the presumably more widespread use of the autologus therapies, which was an interesting
take.