Stem Cells

Science and society

Stem cells: science, policy, and ethics

Gerald D. Fischbach1 and Ruth L. Fischbach2

1Faculty of Medicine and 2Center for Bioethics and Department of Psychiatry,

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.

Human embryonic stem cells offer the promise of a new regenerative medicine in which damaged

adult cells can be replaced with new cells. Research is needed to determine the most viable stem cell

lines and reliable ways to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into specific cell

types (neurons, muscle cells, etc.). To create new cell lines, it is necessary to destroy preimplantation

blastocysts. This has led to an intense debate that threatens to limit embryonic stem cell research. The

profound ethical issues raised call for informed, dispassionate debate.

The promise of stem cell research

Few subjects in biomedical science have captured the imagination of both the scientific community and the public as has the

use of stem cells for the repair of damaged tissues. Because they

may be able to replace cells that have atrophied or have been lost

entirely, stem cells offer the hope of restoration of cellular func tion and relief from suffering associated with many disabling

disorders. Beyond tissue repair, cultured stem cells might also

f ind application in the analyses of disease mechanisms and

normal development, as assays for screening new drugs, and as

vehicles for gene therapy (1).

Each potential use of stem cells promises revolutionary advances. However, the word “promise” must be underscored — to date,

no cures have been realized, no disease mechanisms have been

uncovered, and no new drugs have been developed. Many in the

international scientific community believe that the promise of

stem cell–based studies or therapies will be realized only if we can

derive new human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines.

At the present time, the production of new cell lines...