Ethical Stem Cell Research

Researchers bent on pursuing stem cell research continue to find new ways to sidestep the ethical issues surrounding the use of embryonic cell lines. One such example is the use of uniparental stem cells for regenerative medicine. Uniparental stem cells are derived from an individual patient via therapeutic cloning techniques. Since they do not form viable embryos, the harvesting and use of these stem cells might be considered more acceptable by those opposed to embryonic stem cell research. Scientists have shown that uniparental stem cells derived from a female source could be used to replace blood stem cells in immunocompromised mice. Uniparental stem cells derived from sperm were equally effective, suggesting this technology might also be applicable to fertile males. Damaged organs in mice have also been replaced using this technology. There are still complications, however, to be addressed before these therapies are tested in humans, but these reports give me hope that somewhere down the road we will be able to utilize these new technologies for their medical advantages in an ethical way that everyone can agree on.