council, the scope of its mandate, and the process by which it would conduct business. Finally, the AAAS asked that Bush administration policy be periodically reassessed so that possible changes could be made in order for the benefits of stem cell research to be fully realized.
Other Issues
In 2002, the AAAS endorsed a legally enforceable ban on efforts to implant a human cloned embryo for reproduction. This position was based upon scientific evidence suggesting serious health risks associated with reproductive cloning. At this time, the AAAS also endorsed stem cell research, including that which utilizes nuclear transplantation techniques, sometimes called therapeutic cloning. The AAAS made this endorsement in the hope that the public would be able to enjoy the enormous potential health benefits offered by this technology. Because such benefits were still many years away, however, the AAAS cautioned that such studies must involve carefully designed research and be subject to peer review. Recognizing the many religious, ethical, and social concerns raised by the prospect of creating stem cells for research purposes, the AAAS asked that cloning research proceed only under the federal government’s close scrutiny of studies conducted in both the public and private sectors.
The AAAS later broke with the Bush administration, supporting legislation that would have expanded federal support for embryonic stem cell research. This legislation, known as the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, was vetoed by President Bush. This act would have mandated that stem cell research be allowed to compete for federal funding while following strict ethical guidelines. In its place, an executive order was issued that continued the policy of permitting research only into extant stem cell lines, which the AAAS noted were fewer than 20. In particular, the AAAS noted that stem cell research offered tremendous promise for those suffering from conditions such as diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and Parkinson’s disease. The AAAS suggested that the Bush administration’s failure to permit reasonable research into these areas impeded progress in these significant areas.
After his election in 2008, President Barack Obama removed many of the restrictions on stem cell research imposed by the Bush administration. The AAAS endorsed this move. Using an executive order, Obama increased the number of stem cell lines available for funding from 20 to more than 100. The Obama administration also provided increased federal funding for this research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). When these decisions were later challenged in court, the AAAS supported the Obama administration’s policies. To further support stem cell research, and to address the numerous ethical concerns related to this body of work, the AAAS has issued a variety of print and electronic resource materials to help policy makers and the public make informed decisions. While ever evolving, these resources have consistently supported the need to balance the potential value of stem cell research with the need for procedural safeguards to protect human subjects and the public.
Stephen T. Schroth
Towson University
See Also: Advocacy; Clinical Trials, Ethics of; Clinical Trials Outside the United States; International Society for Stem Cell Research; National Institutes of Health; National Science Foundation; President’s Council on Bioethics; United States.
Further Readings
Blackburn, S. Ethics: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Park, A. The Stem Cell Hope: How Stem Cell Medicine Can Change Our Lives. New York: Plume, 2011.
Scott, C. T. Stem Cell Now: A Brief Introduction to the Coming Medical Revolution. New York: Plume, 2006.
Slack, J. Stem Cells: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Amniotic Fluid Cells
Amniotic Fluid Cells
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Amniotic Fluid Cells
The observation that human amniotic fluid contains mesenchymal stem cells has led to much research and advancement in the field of stem cell research. Harvesting of stem cells from amniotic fluid lacks some of the ethical concerns associated with the use of embryonic stem cells. Research is needed to discover therapeutic uses and treatments using stem cells derived from amniotic fluid.
Presence of Stem Cells in Amniotic Fluid
In the early 1990s, it was first reported that amniotic fluid contained undifferentiated cells with therapeutic potential. In 1999, Mosquera et al. demonstrated that amniotic fluid cells possessed pluripotent properties. This discovery was a milestone in the field of amniotic-fluid stem cell research. In 2003, Anker et al. demonstrated for the first time the presence of mesenchymal stem cells in amniotic fluid.
Nature of Amniotic-Fluid Stem Cells
Amniotic-fluid stem cells are isolated from amniotic fluid and have the ability to differentiate into various cell types. Since the collection of amniotic-fluid stem cells does not destroy the embryo, there are less ethical concerns with the use of amniotic fluid stem cells than with the use of embryonic stem cells. Reports that amniotic-fluid stem cells might be pluripotent suggest that these cells might hold much potential for medical application.
Amniotic-fluid stem cells are collected by amniocentesis, a simple clinical procedure that involves inserting a long needle into the sac surrounding the fetus and aspirating a small amount of amniotic fluid. The procedure is generally considered safe, but it does carry some risks of miscarriage, infection to the baby, vaginal bleeding, or leakage of amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is processed in a lab and undergoes a gradual cryogenic process in which the cells are slowly frozen to preserve cell life. The frozen cells are stored in a liquid-nitrogen tank.
Legislature
Many states specifically prohibit the use of human embryos for stem cell research. The use of amniotic fluid bypasses some of these ethical concerns. The American Center for Law and Justice is opposed to the use of embryonic stem cells for research but supports alternative avenues including the use of amniotic-fluid stem cells.
In April 2007, the National Amniotic and Placental Stem Cell Bank Act bill was introduced in Congress. The bill called for the establishment of a National Amniotic and Placental Stem Cell Bank by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Democratic representative Daniel Lipinski from Illinois introduced the bill, but it did not pass legislation and was not enacted.
BioCell Center
In 2009, the European Biotechnology firm BioCell opened the first amniotic stem cell bank in the United States in Medford, Massachusetts. Stem cells are preserved in liquid nitrogen for medical centers, families, and research centers. Massachusetts was chosen as the site for BioCell Center because of the state’s support and ongoing work in the field of stem cell research. In 2008, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a $1 billion life sciences initiative with the goal of making Massachusetts a global leader in stem cell research.
Banking amniotic-fluid stem cells is an option for families during pregnancy. This permits the donor access to stem cells should the need arise. There is a financial cost to banking amniotic-fluid stem cells and a small medical risk associated with amniocentesis.
