Stem Cell Science Basics
Ethics In The Science
Classroom
Professional Development for Secondary
Science Teachers
NWABR – Pack Forest
July 20, 2005
Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT
www.asmalldoseof.org
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Question??
Who were the most influential people
of the past century?
James Watson (L)
and Francis Crick
(R), and the model
they built of the
structure of DNA
(and Rosalind
Franklin).
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Topics
 Stem Cells – The Basics
 Cloning – Therapeutic and Human
 The Politics – State, National,
International
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Stem Cell History
1998 - Researchers first extract stem cells from human
embryos
1999 - First Successful human transplant of insulin-making
cells from cadavers
2001 - President Bush restricts federal funding for
embryonic stem-cell research
2002 - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
International creates $20 million fund-raising effort
to support stem-cell research
2002 - California ok stem cell research
2004 - Harvard researchers grow stem cells from embryos
using private funding
2004 - Ballot measure for $3 Billion bond for stem cells
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Importance
 Disease
• Diabetes, Spinal
cord injury,
Parkinson’s
disease, heart
disease
 Genetic based
Disease
• Cystic fibrosis,
Huntington’s
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Stem Cell Characteristics
 ‘Blank cells’ (unspecialized)
 Capable of dividing and renewing
themselves for long periods of time
(proliferation and renewal)
 Have the potential to give rise to
specialized cell types (differentiation)
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Stem Cell Differentiation
Princeton University
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Sexual Reproduction
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
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Stem Cell Cultivation
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)
Science and Politics of ESCs research
 August 9, 2001 - President Bush
restricted federal funding of human
embryonic stem cell research to 70
lines thought to be in existence
 Only 11 now available and useable
 Many researchers calling for change
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Blastocyst Diagram
Princeton University
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Five Day Pre-Embryo
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/
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Human Clones?
Are there human clones?
Yes – Identical Twins
(Time 2.19.01)
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Cloning Defined
• What is cloning?
• Asexual reproduction
• Examples?
• Bacteria, fungus
• Plants – cutting – potato
• Farm animals
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Asexual Reproduction
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
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Cloning Dolly
1997 - 2003
(Roslin Institute http://www.roslin.ac.uk/library/)
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Cloning A Sheep
(Roslin Institute http://www.roslin.ac.uk/library/)
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Human Stem Cell Production
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Removing Nucleus
Removing the maternal nucleus before
nuclear transfer
(Roslin Institute http://www.roslin.ac.uk/library/)
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Nuclear transfer
Nuclear transfer embryo about to be
activated
(Roslin Institute http://www.roslin.ac.uk/library/)
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Cloning for use in Stem Cells
Cloning techniques for
creating stem cells
Therapeutic cloning
Reproductive cloning
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IVF – In Vitro Fertilization
 Available since 1986
 About 100,000 IVF kids in U.S.
 Often creates extra embryos
 U.S. - About 400,000 frozen
embryos (unregulated)
 England – 52,000 (regulated by
government)
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
What Americans Think
From Research!America
http://www.researchamerica.org/
Taking Our Pulse:
The PARADE/Research!America
Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
July 10, 2005
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
U.S. Performance in Science and Math Education
Do you think the U.S. is performing well or performing poorly compared to other
nations in terms of science and math education?
7%
11%
23%
Very well
Somewhat well
Somewhat Poorly
24%
Very Poorly
35%
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
Don't know
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
A Majority of Americans Favor Embryonic
Stem Cell Research
Do you favor or oppose medical research using embryonic stem cells?
13%
34%
Strongly favor
58%
Somewhat favor
18%
Somewhat oppose
29%
Strongly oppose
11%
Don't know
24%
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
A Majority of Americans Favor Research
Using Donated Eggs from Fertility Clinics
Scientists can extract embryonic stem cells from fertilized eggs that are voluntarily
donated by fertility clinic patients. These fertilized eggs would otherwise be discarded.
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose embryonic research?
7%
62%
Favor
Oppose
31%
Don't know
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
A Majority of Americans Favor Cloning
Technology to Make Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists can now make embryonic stem cells for medical research by merging an
unfertilized egg with a skin cell, for example. In other words, no fertilization takes place
and there is no merger of egg and sperm. Knowing this, do you favor or oppose
embryonic stem cell research?
9%
69%
22%
Favor
Oppose
Don't know
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Therapeutic Cloning Should Be Allowed
Therapeutic cloning is the use of cloning technology to help in the search for
possible cures and treatments for diseases and disabilities. Do you think that
research into therapeutic cloning should be allowed?
6%
59%
Yes
No
Don't know
35%
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll
Charlton Research Company, 2005
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
WA State Legislation
WA State Stem Cell Bills
http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/billsearch.cfm?Searchterm=stem%20cell
"Regulating stem cell research“
(passed House 59-36 on 3/15/05 and
failed in the Senate 26-23 on 4/11/05)
Forum on Science Ethics and Policy
(FOSEP – at UW)
http://www.fosep.org/
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State Legislation – Key Points
 Informed Consent
 No reproductive Cloning
 IRB approval
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California Legislation
 Law supports therapeutic cloning
 $3 Billion bond measure to support
stem cell research - 2004
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National Regulation
 2001 - President Bush restricts
federal funding for embryonic stemcell research
 Federal funding only for existing
stem cell lines
 Many consider inadequate
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National Legislation
 House of Representatives passed
the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act (H.R. 810)
 Senate is expected to consider it
soon - corresponding bill (S.471)
today!
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International Legislation
 South Korea – refined nuclear
transfer or therapeutic cloning
 China – supports research
 Singapore – stem cell research a
national priority
 Israel – leaders stem cell disease
 Great Britain – leader Dolly – active
support of research
 Japan – supports research
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Stem Cells and Cloning
Questions or Comments?
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Stem Cell - References
Forum on Science Ethics and Policy
(FOSEP – at UW)
http://www.fosep.org/
A Small Dose of Toxicology
www.asmalldoseof.org
The bioscience-bioethics friendship Cooperative
http://www.bioscience-bioethics.org/portal.htm
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
Authorship Information
This presentation is supplement to
“A Small Dose of Toxicology”
For Additional Information Contact
Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT
Director, INND
sgilbert@innd.org
smdose@asmalldoseof.org
Web: www.asmalldoseof.org
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05
A Small Dose of Toxicology
See: www.asmalldoseof.org -- smdose
Stem Cells Sci Basics 07/20/05