For Immediate Release
January 18, 2008
Media Contact: Ray Yonkura
(202) 225-2676
Jordan: On Stem Cell Research, the Ethical Choice Is the Right Choice
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) today released the following column.
For the past number of years, America and Congress have been engaged in a debate over the issue of stem cell research and its potential for scientific breakthroughs. This debate sometimes ignores the fact that there are a number of sources of so-called “stem cells.” Stem cells can be derived from such non-controversial sources as human skin, umbilical cord blood, and bone marrow. Human embryos have been used as a source of stem cells for medical research as well, though such action requires the destruction of living embryos.
Throughout the debate--much of which has focused on whether federal funds should be used to support medical research that destroys embryonic human life--the ethical choice has proven to be the right choice.
Researchers have had much more success in creating positive results with non-embryonic stem cells. Research using adult stem cells and stem cells obtained from cord blood has yielded therapies and even some cures to more than 70 serious diseases, including brain cancer, breast cancer, sickle cell anemia, Multiple Sclerosis, and diabetes.
Embryonic research, by contrast, has yet to provide a single useful therapy or cure, demonstrating that embryo-destructive research is not only morally repugnant, but also unnecessary. Yet many have remained curious about the potential of embryo-derived cells, despite the inherent ethical concerns.
A recent breakthrough made concurrently by research teams at Kyoto University and the University of Wisconsin has helped further make the case for non-embryonic stem cells. Researchers developed a new innovative method of turning regular human skin cells into the functional equivalent of embryonic stem cells, allowing scientists to pursue lifesaving stem cell therapies without the destruction of human embryos.
These “induced pluripotent stem cells,” commonly referred to as iPS cells, have the potential to lay to rest the ethical battles over stem cell research, eliminate the ethically problematic harvesting of eggs, and replace less effective embryo-destructive methods. These “blank slates” should be able to turn into any of the 220 cell types in the human body, allowing scientists to formulate therapies that replace damaged heart cells or other tissue.
While the method requires additional refinement, stem cell researchers indicate that it will be perfected quickly. In fact, Professor Ian Wilmut of Edinburgh University--best known for cloning Dolly the sheep--rocked the scientific world by stating that he will cease his work on cloning human embryos for research in favor of the new iPS method, which he believes is the future of the field.
He, like many, understands that this development is likely to augment the incredible discoveries scientists have made in the area of non-embryonic stem cell research--research that bears real hope for many who suffer the ravages of disease. I believe the larger scientific community would do well to pursue this welcome discovery.
As this work progresses and new breakthroughs are made, one point continues to bear true: ethical forms of stem cell research--forms that do not require the destruction of human embryos--yield the best results and will continue to do so. We must keep the sanctity and preciousness of human life foremost in our minds as this research goes forward.
