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President Barack Obama recently reversed Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research banning government funding for it. The University of Maine community has varying views on the issue.
“[I] think it’s great that Obama opened up the ban that has been on stem cell research,” said Erin Dewalt, a third-year zoology student. “It allows for not only more research in stem cells, but also for science in general to move forward. And who knows? We may be able to cure many common diseases in the next decade due to stem cell research.”
Julie-Ann Scott, a graduate student with cerebral palsy, said she thinks the ban’s removal is fantastic.
“I’ve always been very supportive of stem cell research, and I’m excited that the U.S. is making this important science a priority,” Scott said.
On the other hand, many people believe stem cell research is unethical or immoral.
“According to Catholic teaching, to abort a fetus is very wrong. Scientists might take cells from frozen embryos, and that is a violation against God’s law. The problem does not necessarily lie with stem cell research – it is where the stem cells come from,” said Rev. Bill Labbe of the Newman Center.
Dr. Farahad Dastoor, a biology professor, said he is neither for or against it.
“I can see how it would further biology; however, I am not necessarily for high-tech medical intervention. Nevertheless . it would be cool to fully understand the cell,” Dastoor said.
Dr. Mary Tyler, a zoology professor, said that lifting the restrictions will benefit science. “Before the restrictions were lifted, research was done in the private sector. This meant that companies profited from research, and the information that resulted from the research was private. It could not be published in journals, as public research is. Now, research can be funded publicly.”
Maine state Sen. Don Pilon, D-Saco, introduced a bill in February 2009 to authorize a bond initiative to fund stem cell research in Maine. The bill would support a $20 million bond and establish a public umbilical cord blood bank, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Prior to the 2001 ban, 21 research samples, or lines, of stem cells were already being used by scientists who were allowed to continue their research. Bush allowed those lines to remain active, but the ban denied future government funding. Those 21 lines “were totally useless,” Tyler said.
“This is a very interesting time in science,” Tyler said. “The study of human embryonic stem cell research launched all of the other types of stem cell research. This controversial science has thrust other science forward. Only human embryonic stem cells have really caused controversy.”
The difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells is where each originate from. Adult stem cells are found in tissue and organs, whereas embryonic stem cells come from human embryos, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“What people do not know is that there is a very ugly side to embryonic stem cell research. Everybody only hears about the diseases that could potentially be cured, while in reality, embryonic stem cells cause cancer in mice fairly often,” Tyler said.
The benefit of stem cells is their ability to grow into a range of human cells, such as blood or nerve cells. Theoretically, stem cells can divide limitlessly to replenish parts of a living organism, according to the NIH Web site.
“In the end, two sides fight, but they don’t know the whole truth. The good that really does come out of this is that the government can fund all stem cell research again, not just embryonic. Information needs to be in the public domain, so that everyone can do their own research and make up their own minds,” Tyler said.
