What are stem cells?

Stem cells are primitive cells, from which all of the organs of the body develop. Stem cells have two main characteristics: 1) they have the ability to reproduce themselves over a long period of time without changing; and 2) they have the capability to produce other types of cells such as brain, muscle, and lung, to name a few.

There are two types of stem cell research being investigated. While the media often lumps the two together, each is fundamentally different.

  • Adult stem cells are “multipotent”, which means they are capable of differentiating into many types of cells and are obtained from bone marrow, cord blood, and many other organs. Obtaining adult stem cells does not result in the death of the donor.
  • Embryonic stem cells are “pluripotent” which means they are capable of differentiating into virtually every human cell type. Embryonic stem cells are taken from another human (an embryo), cultured and used to treat the already born human. The process of extracting the stem cells at this early stage results in the death of the embryo.

The fundamental difference between the two types of research is that one results in the death of a human life. While many embryonic stem cell proponents discuss the variety of illnesses which this research may alleviate, we believe that the means must justify the ends. In other words, a utilitarian philosophy where the life or health of an adult human is given priority over the life of an unborn child is unacceptable and inconsistent with both our American Constitution and the natural law. As David Prentice points out:

Whether one views the human embryo as realized or potential human life, use of human embryos for research raises the specter of commodification of human life, lessening the value of human life.

Central to the debate over embryonic stem cell research is one’s view of when life begins. As scientists are increasingly acknowledging, human life begins at the moment of fertilization (conception). The single-cell fertilized egg is in fact an entire human body. It is alive, not dead, and proceeds in an ongoing, self-controlled process of growth and development. At this point, sex is determined and his/her intact body is complete, for nothing will be added except nutrition and oxygen.

While proponents of embryonic stem cell research argue that these cells are more primitive and thus have a greater chance of being accepted by the recipient, the evidence clearly shows that the potential treatments using embryonic stem cell research run the risk of both immune deficiency and tumor formation.

The promises of adult stem cell research

While the media has focused on pro-lifers’ stand against embryonic stem cell research, the use of adult stem cells is not only ethical but less expensive and more promising. What you will not hear in the main-stream press is that the adult stem cell research industry is experiencing rapid growth. For example, Cord Blood Registry, the world’s largest adult stem cell bank has experienced an 83 percent growth rate – signaling the greater awareness of the regenerative power of adult stem cells. Other research has shown the promise of using bone marrow stem cells, blood stem cells, and immature thigh muscle cells to grow new heart tissue – something previously unheard of. In another example, in the United States and Canada, more than 250 human patients with type-1 diabetes were treated with pancreatic tissue (islet) transplantations taken from human cadavers. Eighty percent of those who completed the treatment protocol achieved insulin independence for over a year. There are literally thousands of similar success stories.

Adult stem cell and other experimental regenerative treatments are moving forward toward eventual clinical use at a breathtaking pace. Meanwhile, embryonic stem cell research offers no immediate prospects for treating human ailments. If this trend continues, the day will soon come when people realize that the great hope for regenerative medicine does not come from embryos. The question is whether or not this good news will be reported.

Sadly, the promises of adult stem cell research and disadvantages of embryonic stem cell research are not covered by the mainstream media. Recent admissions by researchers at the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke that scientists have allowed society to believe wrongly that embryonic stem cell research is likely to effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease are a good example of the deception that Big Biotech uses in order to gain access to taxpayer funding.

American Values believes we must continue to work to find cures for diseases and to alleviate suffering. However, it is never acceptable to deliberately kill one human being to help another. We are committed to the defense and protection of the most vulnerable in our society. Therefore, we oppose any funding, public or private, that supports embryonic stem cell research. Alternatively, we fully endorse any research using adult stem cells that attempts to alleviate the pain and suffering of human illness and disease.