Researchers obtain stem cells from unfertilized embryo

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Researchers obtain stem cells from unfertilized embryo

by Rachel Patzer, News Writer
September 29, 2003

Scientists may have found a new way of obtaining stem cells from human embryos 
that would help ease ethical controversy
over the process.

Researchers collaborating at several universities nationwide have shown that 
stem cells obtained from an unfertilized
monkey egg are nearly the same as the fertilized stem cells that researchers 
are currently using. Their findings appear
in the Sept. 22 issue of the online Proceedings of the National Academy of 
Sciences.

Because they have the capacity to develop into any type of cell in the body, 
embryonic stem cells are currently
researched for their therapeutic applications to a variety of different 
diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

There are an estimated 11 existing embryonic stem-cell lines in the world, but 
federal law prohibits the production of
any new lines because of ethical concerns. The current procedure for obtaining 
stem cells requires several days for
growth of a fertilized embryo, which is often viewed as a controversial 
practice.

The new procedure, known as parthenogenesis, or the process in which an egg is 
triggered to develop into an embryo
without the aid of a sperm, may be less controversial because the stem cells 
are obtained without creating or
destroying a viable embryo.

"This research is very exciting. If this process (of parthenogenesis) can occur 
in humans, it probably eliminates all
of the ethical concerns of current stem-cell research," University of Wisconsin 
professor of Human Oncology Steven
Clark said.

Some view this new process as much more ethical because there is no way a 
researcher can get an unfertilized embryo to
grow into an animal, Clark said.

Parthenogenesis is a common mode of reproduction in lower animals, such as 
insects or lizards, so accomplishing this
reproductive technology among primates is very interesting, Clark said.

Still others believe an embryo is an embryo, and that using parthenotes, or 
stem cells created from the "single-parent"
embryos, is just as unethical as using the current embryonic stem cells.

"All of life is sacred, from conception to natural death. Stem-cell research is 
deciding which is to live and which is
to die. This is playing God, and this is dangerous," said Randy Timmerman, 
pastor of St. Paul's University Catholic
Center.

Although this research has only been performed in monkeys so far, the process 
has potential to work in humans. The
current procedure for obtaining stem cells was first discovered in primates and 
this knowledge eventually led to the
same procedure in humans.

"Once something like this has been done in primates, one must wonder if it can 
be done in [human primates] too," UW law
and medical-ethics professor R. Alta Charo said.

The parthenotes have been coaxed into mature cells such as muscle, nerve and 
heart cells, and they have been shown to
survive indefinitely.

Cells from the unfertilized monkey egg have not yet been transplanted back to 
the monkey donor, so researchers are not
entirely sure whether the animal will accept or reject the cells.

There is some concern that the DNA is not entirely the same as the donor's 
because of genetic recombination, so further
research is needed before researchers try this in humans.

If this research does lead to the production of stem cells in humans, 
therapeutic aid can only be applied to a distinct
group of people, such as fertile females.

The process would not benefit men or post-menopausal women.

SOURCE: UW Badger Herald, WI

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