Monday, May 4, 2009
At his inauguration, President Obama promised to “restore science to its rightful place,” and he has followed through by writing an executive order overturning the ban on federal support of embryonic stem cell research. The issue is both scientifically complex and ethically divided, and it naturally remains controversial. But now that scientists around the country are able to develop more research projects involving embryonic stem cells, it is important that all citizens learn what potential effects this may have on medicine and science.
First, the term “stem cells” should be defined. “Stem cells” is a general term applied to cells that have the ability to grow into many different cell types, and there are two categories of stem cells: adult and embryonic. Everyone has adult stem cells, such as the cells inside the bone marrow. These can divide and become all of the different kinds of blood cells. Adult stem cells are different from embryonic stem cells because they cannot become all of the complex tissues in the body. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any cell in the body: brain cells, muscle cells, liver cells, etc. This difference illustrates the importance of research with both kinds of cells.
Embryonic cells can be used to test new drugs on different cell types before moving into human testing in clinical trials, potentially increasing the safety and efficacy of new drugs. These stem cells could themselves be used clinically to regrow damaged organs or replace killed nerve cells. Researching embryonic stem cells grants greater insight in the intricate biochemical machinery that regulates the growth of human cells. This fundamental knowledge could affect our understanding of developmental disabilities and cancer.
Inevitably, a discussion of stem cells leads to the question of human cloning. It is important to distinguish the two kinds of cloning: reproductive and therapeutic. Reproductive cloning is the stuff of science fiction, where embryonic cells are engineered with DNA from a host to generate an identical human. Most scientists in the United States abide by a voluntary moratorium on human reproductive cloning. But therapeutic cloning is much more practical and has more medical relevance. Therapeutic cloning means growing new organs or tissues from stem cells containing DNA from a certain patient. If the patient receives a cloned transplant, his or her body will be less likely to reject it because it was grown with his or her own DNA.
But the key word is “potential.” Embryonic stem cells will not be a panacea for all disease. Research is paramount to determining what embryonic cells can do, and at what cost. Already, research has found that direct embryonic cell therapy may grow uncontrollably in a patient and form cancer. Now that the ban on federal funding has been lifted, the only way to find out is to encourage scientific research and await the results.
— Folmsbee is a Topeka junior in neurobiology.
Editorial: Dangers of scientific food production extend ...
A response to John Kenny's column.
Folmsbee: There will never be a cure ...
Claims that a cure for cancer will be discovered are unrealistic, but ...
Folmsbee: Alternative medicine research fails to deliver
Complementary healthcare treatments should compete for government money.
Folmsbee: Genetically modified food needs support
Benefits of GMs made foggy by politics.
Folmsbee: Doctors just as responsible for safe ...
Doctors should know how a valid a drug is before prescribing it.
Folmsbee: How genetics can help explain homosexuality
The affects of cellular makeup on sexual orientation.
Folmsbee: Undergraduate research needs change
Viewing research as purely a resume-builder is an opportunity missed.
Folmsbee: Science Nobel Prizes Overlooked
The American public loses interest in important Nobel Prize winners in science.
Folmsbee: Science Nobel Prizes overlooked
Scientists from around the world were honored with Nobel Prizes, but the ...
Udder confusion
Folmsbee: Why can't we all get along?
Continued controversy in battle of religion vs. science isn't necessary.
Controversy surrounds cloned meat
In response to an announcement by the FDA that meat from cloned ...
Folmsbee: A chiropractic reformation
Chiropractic must adjust ideology to be considered legitimate.
Researchers look for new take on knee ...
The Tissue Engineering Lab gets funding to look for a less invasive ...
Fired up about coal
Lawrence’s coal-fired plant contributes to high asthma rates, river pollution.
Folmsbee: Vaccines not to blame for autism
Scientists disagree with the anti-vaccination movement over relationship between vaccines and autism.
Grants fund Dyche Hall upgrades
Two awards will allow the Kansas Biodiversity Institute to make renovations to ...
Folmsbee: Homeopathy is nothing more than a ...
Science is not only unfounded, but is also dangerous.
Drug therapy could become individual, KU research ...
Recent KU research shows that aging affects drug dosage for patients.
Reframing the worlds of art and science
Collaborations encourage students to garner new ways of learning these seemingly separate ...
Folmsbee: MCAT forgets purpose, puts focus on ...
The medical school examination stresses rote memorization, not scientific literacy.
Psychology professor explains and combats depression
Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of psychology, discussed modern physical conditions and mentioned ...
Team discovers potential cancer-fighting technique
Researchers found chemical reactions in fungi that may help to fight cancer-causing ...
Saha: New research on obesity may provide ...
What if the future treatment of obesity took form as an X-ray ...
Folmsbee: Vaccines not to blame for autism
Evidence shows vaccines are safe, but misinformation about autism is prevalent.
Buser: Technology doesn’t lead to ‘dumbest generation’
Folmsbee: Hunting the ghost hunters
The paranormal are invisible through scientific glasses.
New drug could reduce nicotine’s harm
Researcher uses federal recovery act grant money in hopes of helping smokers ...
Folmsbee: America needs new space race
Throwing support behind NASA means bolstering research and learning across America.
Folmsbee: No evidence for acupuncture
Acupuncture remains popular, despite little scientific support.
What Do You Know About... Water Fluoridation?
Poisoning the well?
Professor gives up technology for science
A psychological study tests the effects of technological devices and our ability ...
Saha: Leave the scientific terms in the ...
Music and films use science to capture the interest of the human ...
Choice of a Lifetime
Time for Tea
Tea was discovered in 2737 B.C. by a Chinese Emperor. The world ...
Barking up the evolution tree
Ten Commandments should unite, not divide Americans
‘Tree of Life’ has roots in art, ...
Lied Center performance will unite culture and science with on-stage dance, theater, ...
Folmsbee: Organic foods revealed
Techniques used in organic farming are wasteful and are not beneficial.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Folsmbee: Citizens should learn stem cell terminology
I think everyone is just going to get more confused the more they look into this. I kid you not. Hematopoietic vs. mesenchymal, reverse differentiation, in vitro, in vivo, graft vs. host disease, autoimmune responses, etc.
Folsmbee: Citizens should learn stem cell terminology
Here here, glenjamin! Not sure it could have been said better.
Folsmbee: Citizens should learn stem cell terminology
I stand by my initial comment...
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID