Stem Cell Therapy: Ethical Issues
Our Findings
Stem cell therapy: the ethical issues
The ability to culture human stem cells long term, and possibly indefinitely, and to control how such cells specialise to form the different tissues of the body offers the possibility of major advances in healthcare. Stem cells have been isolated and cultured, but a great deal of research is required to develop cell lines which can generate replacement cells and tissues to treat many diseases. The use of human pluripotent stem cells is controversial primarily because much of the current research is focused on deriving these cells from human embryos and cadaveric fetal tissue. The Round Table meeting examined the ethical issues raised by the potential of stem cells derived from donated embryos, embryos created specifically for research purposes, cadaveric fetal tissue and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
The Discussion Paper concluded that the removal and cultivation of cells from a donated embryo does not indicate lack of respect for the embryo and that there were no grounds for making a moral distinction between research into diagnostic methods or reproduction which is permitted under UK legislation and research into potential therapies which is not permitted. The Round Table Group therefore recommended that research involving human embryos be permitted for the purpose of developing tissues to treat diseases from derived embryonic stem (ES) cells and that Schedule 2 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act be amended accordingly. As long as there were sufficient and appropriate donated embryos from IVF treatments for use in research, the Council took the view that there were no compelling reasons to allow additional embryos to be created merely to increase the number of embryos available for ES cell research or therapy but that this issue should be kept under review.
The Round Table meeting concluded that the code of practice set out in the Polkinghorne Review provides an adequate framework for the use of fetal tissue in the derivation of embryonic germ (EG) cells. It suggested, however, that the question of consent for the use of donated fetal tissue for the purpose of deriving EG stem cells be re-considered in the context of the current guidance and regulation. While the Round Table Group recommended that research be permitted, it also recommend that as a safeguard to protect all embryo donors who could theoretically be identified by analysis of DNA of an ES cell line, they be specifically asked to consent to this research and any subsequent use of the cell line.
The Discussion Paper considered that research into SCNT and other forms of reprogramming the nuclei of human somatic cells may potentially offer very significant medical benefits. Where such research falls within the remit of the HFE Act, adoption of the amendment to Schedule 2 recommended above would permit such research to be licensed.
Last Updated Thu, 24 June 2004