An introduction to the science, ethics
and legislation
Day 1: Groups/articles assigned Feb. 14
Day 2: Library – Feb 24
Day 3: Presentations – Feb 27/28
Day 4: Committee presents: March 3rd
http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/
content/stemcells_scnt.html
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Stem cells can
become other
types of cells
Stem cells can also
divide indefinitely
 stem cell line
Pluripotent vs
multipotent stem
cells
Reproduced by Permission of Professor Rathjen of the University of
Adelaide
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Potency describes the potential of stem cells
to differentiate into different cell types
Totipotent stem cells
can differentiate into embryonic and
extraembryonic cell types (cells that do not
become part of the fetus – like placenta).
 can construct a complete, viable, organism.
 cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and
sperm cell.
 Cells that are produced by the first few divisions of
the fertilized egg are also totipotent.
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Pluripotent stem cells
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the descendants of totipotent cells
can differentiate into nearly all cells. (just not
placenta)
Multipotent stem cells
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differentiate into cells of closely related family of
cells (e.g. hemapoietic cells can become
several different types of blood cells, but not a
brain cell).
ES cells come from ICM of blastocyst
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
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ES cells are pluripotent
AS cells found in small amounts throughout
body
Most AS cells appear to be multipotent
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Stem cells may be able
to replace damaged
cells in the body
Today: lymphoma,
leukemia
Future? Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, diabetes...
Promising animal
studies
Courtesy of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s
Research
Reproduced by permission of The Providence
Journal
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ES cell lines
Excess embryos from IVF clinics
Embryos created for research by IVF
Therapeutic cloning
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
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adult cells that have been genetically
reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell–like
state .
Human iPSCs were first reported in late
2007. They are capable of differentiating
into all types of cells.
Viruses are currently used to introduce the
reprogramming factors into adult cells, and
this process must be carefully controlled
and tested before the technique can lead
to useful treatments for humans. In animal
studies, the virus used to introduce the stem
cell factors sometimes causes cancers.
http://archives.cbc.ca/health/medical_research/clips/17505/
Reproduced by permission of the NIH
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Purpose of therapeutic cloning is to harvest ES
cells for treatment  blastocyst destroyed
Purpose of reproductive cloning is to make
new person  blastocyst implanted in uterus
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Harvesting ES
cells destroys the
blastocyst
“This is murder”
Reproduced by permission of Dave Catrow and Copley News
Service
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Courtesy of Kevin Siers, The Charlotte Observer © 2001
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ES cell research
requires human cells
Could create a
commercial market
for human cells
“This devalues life”
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“If excess IVF embryos
are being discarded
anyway, they should be
put to good use”
Reprinted by permission of Chip Bok and Creators Syndicate, Inc.
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“Therapeutic
cloning is a slippery
slope - it will lead to
reproductive
cloning”
Reproduced by permission of Gary Markstein and Copley News
Service
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y5H9Sasq5U
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We are all citizens of Adanac
There is the need to draft legislation (laws)
to decide on the use of embryonic stem
cells in our country.
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The legislation must address:
1.
The use of embryonic stem cells from existing cell
lines
2.
The use of embryonic stem cells from discarded
embryos from in vitro clinics
3.
The use of embryonic stem cells from embryos
created by IVF for research
4.
The use of embryonic stem cells from embryos
created by therapeutic cloning.
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There will be a committee who will hear the
views of concerned citizen groups.
The committee will be responsible for
creating the legislation based on discussion
and what they hear from the public.
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The class will be divided into focus groups –
each group will prepare a presentation for
the committee.
Focus Groups:
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Scientists
Industry
Volunteer Health Organizations
Religious Groups
Bioethicists
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You will get an article from the perspective
of your focus group.
Read the article and summarize the ideas
on the sheet provided.
Next week – get the presentation guide
and start working on it in groups.
Computer day booked for FEB 24th time to
put together PPT. presentation on your
group’s position.
This is not YOUR opinion – you must take the
perspective of the group you represent.
Country
UK
US
Canada
Germany
Therapeutic
cloning
Creation of
embryos for
research
Use of excess
embryos from
IVF clinics
Use of existing
ES cell lines
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