Stem-cell research took a great leap forward last week, when two independent research groups, led by Dr. James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, Japan, reported success in the genetic reprogramming of human skin cells to create cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. This new technique for deriving human stem cells may change the course of research in the field of regenerative medicine.
In a paper published on 22 November 2007 in the journal Science, the two teams used slightly different methods to achieve essentially identical goals. The research teams are now in a position to be able to generate patient and disease specific stem cells, without human eggs or embryos. According to Dr Thomson, “This new discovery demonstrates that there are many cells that can be reprogrammed in the body, and this is not going to be the last time we hear of other types of cells and other ways we can make it mutipotent. The induced cells do all the things embryonic stem cells do. They are probably more clinically relevant than embryonic stem cells and it is going to completely change the field”.
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to develop into virtually any cell type in the body. The hope is that such cells may one day yield treatments or cures for diseases such as diabetes, liver failure, spinal injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
This new finding is not only a critical scientific accomplishment, but potentially remakes the tumultuous political and ethical landscape of stem cell biology as human embryos may no longer be needed to obtain the blank slate stem cells capable of becoming any of the 220 types of cells in the human body.
Perfected, the new technique would bring stem cells within easy reach of many more scientists as they could be easily made in labs of moderate sophistication, and without the ethical and legal constraints.
In addition to exorcising the ethical and political dimensions of the stem cell debate, the advantage of using reprogrammed skin cells is that any cells developed for therapeutic purposes can be customised to the patient. This means that a patient could eventually receive therapy using cells derived from their own skin cells rather than external cell lines. This is an important breakthrough and it is not often that a discovery comes along which changes the fundamental direction of stem cell research.
Using the new reprogramming techniques, the Wisconsin group has developed eight new stem cell lines. As of the writing of the new Science paper, to be released on 21 December 2007, some of the new cell lines have been growing continuously in culture as long as 22 weeks.
As a Minister of Religion, I welcome the breakthrough of the new discovery by scientists that potent stem cells can be obtained from human skin in order to combat serious diseases in ethical ways.
Fellow Members, the discovery by researchers in Japan and the United States should signal an end to the destruction of human embryos solely in the basis of scientific research. Together with the excellent work being done with adult stem cells taken from the nose, this work clearly points to a way forward which is both ethically and scientifically promising.
I do hope that legislators around Australia will take note of this recent breakthrough and put a halt to any further laws allowing human cloning or the destruction of life for research.
May I say that I sympathise with the plight of those affected by incurable diseases. As Superintendent of Wesley Mission for 27 years, I have been in close contact with many that have experienced extreme hardship because of an illness. But if the use and development of embryonic stem cells is all that it promises to be, then this research should be the mainstay of research. Why is there a need to sacrifice existing embryos or create new ones when this seminal work indicates that this is now not necessary?
This breakthrough shows that we can have the benefits of stem cells to cure disease, while avoiding the ethical concerns of creating and destroying embryos. It is no longer an either/or
situation. We can have both, and we do not need the destructive functions to do it.
Simply put, if embryos are not human, no controversy should attach to the use of embryos for purposes other than to allow for their development and eventual existence. But, if it can be supposed that an embryo is a human, then embryonic stem cell research lays a framework for crimes against humanity.
It is my utmost belief that embryonic stem cell research, though intended to benefit humanity, is one that brings into question the dignity and respect for human life. After all, every living being, every person in this Chamber, started off as an embryo. And, every one in this Chamber was given the chance to grow and develop and be born into this world.
By not supporting this new scientific discovery, we allow human embryos to be destroyed simply for the purpose of experimentation. Cloning of human embryos will ensue on the pretext that this practice will provide hope for the many members of our society who are aggrieved with an incurable illness or disease.
Every human embryo, regardless of whether the embryo is formed inside or outside the womb, is a human life. This is a view that is informed by my moral and religious convictions not only supported by many Christians but also those of a non-Christian faith across the world.
It is our collective belief that every life, from the very moment of conception, is to be cherished, valued and protected as a human life. This is because every human life from conception carries unique and distinct genetic material, defining that human life as an individual worthy of human rights. Each human life has immutable worth – regardless of race, age, health, birth status or importantly, perceived value to society. Thus, an embryo should be ascribed the same value as a life that is fully viable and independent from his or her mother.
This is a world-view that also informs my opinion on other life issues such as euthanasia and abortion. If the sanctity of life is
tampered with or life is exploited for any reason, in any way and at any stage, our collective level of respect and dignity for life will
inevitably diminish. If disregard is paid to human life at its inception, then what regard can we give life at near demise? If we cannot together agree on what should be held sacred and valuable when it comes to life, the true essence of what makes us human will come into question. The protection of life at any stage is an irrevocable mandate upon every human being, one that should be considered with utmost seriousness. Without the existence of moral absolutes, the dignity of our humanity is on shaky ground.
Honourable members, there is no legitimate justification for embryonic stem cell research. To disregard life at its inception, the continuum of life at each stage and even at its last, will be in jeopardy of debasement. The lives of the infirm and the disabled will be next.
With the announcement of research conducted by University of Wisconsin and Kyoto University, there is no further need for embryonic stem cell research. With this new scientific breakthrough, we can have the benefits of stem cell research to cure disease and avoid the ethical concerns of destroying embryos. This new technique provides the best of both worlds. It is evident that the latest findings will represent the future for stem cell research.
Thursday, 6th December, 2007, 10:06 am | General, Adjournment and Motion Speeches
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