Stem Cell Research Legislation

Stem Cell Research Legislation

Introduction

Stem cells have a unique capacity of differentiation and self-renewal. Stems cells are probably present in multiple tissues; however, they were first discovered in the hematopoietic system. There is change in the individual care with orthopedic, ophthalmologic, dermatologic, oncologic, and hematologic conditions.

The growing function of stem cells in clinical medication is progressing along 3 lines (Weiss et al. 2004):

Therapy through stem cells (either to adjust the manners of other cells or to restore cell lines that have been destroyed or lost)

Drug therapy targeting stem cells

Stem cells to produce separated tissue for in-vitro studies of disease models for drug enhancement.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are collected from the patient's peripheral blood by aphaeresis. HSCs are normally scarce in the peripheral blood; this phase must be preceded by a mobilization of HSC by injecting growth factor. The patient receives the treatment of chemotherapy to destroy auto reactive cells, supposedly responsible for the disease, both at the device level of central nervous system. HSCs are then re-injected at a dose of >2x10 exp6 cells, usually accompanied by an injection of anti thymocyte globulin, designed to reduce the risk of injection of auto reactive T cells during the re infusion of HSCs. Most studies have reported studies of phase I and II primarily intended to explore the feasibility and toxicity of treatment.

The following paper will be discussing the historical context of a US social problem and the government's approach of addressing the problem. In addition, we will also be discussing two different approaches or views of the problem, solutions that have been proposed to help alleviate the problem, and an organization that has been developed to deal with the problem and create solutions. Moreover, ideas for dealing with the social problem will also be addressed.

Historical Context of a US Social Problem & the Government's Approach

The social problem that has been chosen for discussion is stem cell treatment for embryos and child development. It has been a controversial topic in US for many years. Stem cells can be extracted from a dividing zygote or an adult tissue. These cells are then placed in a controlled culture, which though allows them to divide and replicate, but prevents them from specializing or differentiating. The replicating stems cells are then inspected, and the collection of dividing, undifferentiated and healthy stem cells is termed as Stem Cell Line. These stem cell lines are managed and shared with other researchers. These stem cells can then be stimulated to differentiate (Directed Differentiation) as directed by the researcher (Wagner, 2006).

The ongoing research for disease altering drugs and the “disease in a dish” approach require the use of controls and cells, which genetically similar. The only exception is for the alteration whose affect is observable. The death of pre embryo is the requirement of obtaining stem cell. "In the standard method of harvesting stem cells, researchers wait five days or so after fertilization until the embryo has become a ball of up to 150 [undifferentiated] ...