History and Ethics of Stem Cells

Stem cell research holds the potential to improve human health because of two special properties. The first is self-renewal; when stem cells divide they can produce two new copies of the original. The second is pluripotency, meaning they can become any cell type in the body through differentiation. Much research in development, genetics, cloning and in vitro fertilization (IVF) contributed to our knowledge of stem cells. The use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in research is a hotly debated topic. While scientists proclaim the benefits of pluripotent cells for research, the opposition finds the destruction of an embryo unacceptable. The US government has passed laws to regulate stem cell research that initially affected access to ESCs. Later decisions directly banned or allowed research using ESCs. New technology in gene expression control may create a way in which we can benefit from pluripotent cells without the associated ethical concerns of ESCs.