A Fall for Stem Cells

Aug. 27, 2010— -- This fall could be an historic season for stem cells. Public debate on government funding of embryonic stem cell research and significant advances in adult stem cell technology will cause the press to shine a light on the technology.

Stem cells are the most promising pharmaceutical or biotechnology prospect since the discovery of antibiotics. Several companies that are developing stem cell-based medical treatments are poised for major breakthroughs in treatment of life-threatening events, such as heart attacks, strokes and spinal cord injury. Other treatments for a wide range of medical problems are in earlier stages of development.

The summer is hardly over and the story has already begun to unfold. On Monday, a Washington, DC district judge, issued a temporary injunction halting all federal funding for basic research into embryonic stem cell technology. The injunction states there is a legitimate basis for arguing the matter in court. A full hearing will soon decide the final outcome.

Basic research is the first domino in the line that leads to medical breakthroughs, and until that first domino falls they all stand. If upheld, the decision to withhold federal funds could choke off virtually all embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. because basic research advances the science that leads to development that produces medical breakthroughs.

Judge Lamberth's decision was more about public consensus than science. It was another attempt to decide the appropriate and acceptable direction for research and development in the embryonic stem cell arena.

This is not a unique kind of controversy. Science is always implemented and advanced based on public consensus. Think of any scientifically-based program that has been implemented in recent times – nuclear power, pollution control, seat belts, health warnings on tobacco products – these significant changes only were implemented when the majority of our population agreed they were needed.

The judge's ruling reflects the lack of awareness in the U.S. around research and development of embryonic stem cells. There are two basic classes of stem cells, based on where they originate. Adult stem cells come from various parts of a fully-developed human. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from the earliest stage of fetal development.