CONSENT OF STEM CELL RESEARCH

There are four ways to harvest stem cells: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC), Adult Stem Cells (ASC), Umbilical Stem Cells and the least common way is through aborted fetuses. There is an ethical line that may be passed without full acknowledgement, for ESC the embryos used for the research are embryos that are created with assisted human reproductive technologies and not used by the gamete donors (spare embryos left over).

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The donors now must give consent for the leftover embryo to be used in 3 ways- donate to another couple, terminate, or donate for research. In regard to the other methods of stem cells the ASC, umbilical cord stem cells, and aborted fetuses are multipotent, but less consent is needed with this option to conduct experimentation. In regard to ESC, they are pluripotent which is the best option for stem cells in research. Multipotent simply means the cells are set to a specific preset of other cells, whereas pluripotent are not and can be developed into any cell in the body.

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The impact of the research has caused a problem in communities through the sheer fact that it is completely possible (not likely) for a scientist to acquire someone’s baby without the parents’ full consent. There may be incomplete consent given to the companies that conduct the creation of embryos for couples who are struggling to create an embryo naturally. 

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Sources:

“Biological Industries USA.” Biological Industries USA, www.bioind.com/products/stem-cell-research/stem-cell-culture/

Caulfield, Timothy et al. “Informed consent in embryonic stem cell research: are we following basic principles?.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne vol. 176,12 (2007): 1722-5. doi:10.1503/cmaj.061675

Lo, Bernard, and Lindsay Parham. “Ethical issues in stem cell research.” Endocrine reviews vol. 30,3 (2009): 204-13. doi:10.1210/er.2008-0031

Reno, Jamie. “Is Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Jeopardy?” Healthline, 14 June 2017, www.healthline.com/health-news/is-human-embryonic-stem-cell-research-in-jeopardy.