The Ethics Behind Embryonic Stem Cell Research

By Diana Abraham

For many scientists and clinicians, stem cell research offers novel and attractive ways of developing new technologies and treatments. However, what is the cost of this developing field of embryonic stem cells and what are the possible alternative stem cell types that may be (1) readily isolated from small amounts of tissue and (2) less care needed in terms of transportation and cell culture maintenance? Furthermore, these alluring and more personalized treatments have the potential to “increase pressures for the rapid clinical translation and commercialization of stem cell products.” There must be a strict regulatory process that ensures safety of stem cell therapeutics starting from the bench and ending at the bedside. 

The current and potential therapeutic applications for stem cells are endless. The applications of stem cell research can range from using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to studying genetic disorders or explore pharmacogenomics. They can also be used to study multipotent stem cells and three-dimensionally printed bioactive ceramic scaffolds for tissue regenerative purposes. Hence, there are other routes for stem cell research that use less problematic stem cell types such as mesenchymal stem cells. Yet, there is still a disconnect in understanding between the scientific community and the public that may lead to mistrust on the entire field of stem cell research regardless of what type of stem cell is being studied. Additionally, this disconnect can also be seen through the lack of informed consent. The patients being treated may not have the same educational background as the scientist and/or clinician running the study and therefore they may not understand the brevity of the treatment and be given the full information about the risks and benefits. There may also be therapeutic misconceptions where the patient may think the treatment will cure them when, in reality, they are participants in a clinical trial. Even the clinicians or scientists are not completely sure of the patient’s outcome.

To close this gap between scientists and clinicians and the public, there must be steps taken to ensure proper information disclosure where research participants are aware of the research being conducted and understand how the trials are not necessarily treatments. Finally, scientists and clinicians should continue conducting stem cell research, understanding that with innovation comes responsibility, hence the need to be cautious about creating cell therapies to deliver to the public. As a stem cell researcher myself, after looking into the ethical issues within stem cell research, I see a trend that capitalistic healthcare companies may be abusing this newfound field of regenerative medicine. I hope that research facilities take the necessary steps to regulate how their translational research is being conducted and that they require researchers to give research participants informed consent and avoid therapeutic misconception.