An article in NY Times explains a new procedure to create stem cells. Instead of using embryos and eggs scientists have started the process, called direct reprogramming. The scientists used aged cells and manipulate them to stop the aging process. These cells can now be used thee same way stem cells are. The achievements completely reset the boundaries of the stem cell debate.
This process virtually eliminates the ethical debate of where the cells are coming from. They are not using trial and error and killing embryos. They are simply using a process to cause our own cells to revert back to their original state. This technology will allow scientists to help patients dying from diseases and transplant patients. However, generating stem cells is suddenly possible for anyone with a basic background in molecular biology. No special expertise in handling chromosomes, nuclei or eggs is needed, which could turn out to be dangerous. There would be no telling who would produce the cells and what they would use them for.
Furthermore, this procedure does no eliminate the ethical dilemmas of individuals using the process to become immortal. Stem cell research would allow them to replace any old, damaged cells allowing one to virtually live forever. These cells could even reproduce brain and nerve cells, which do not naturally occur in our bodies. Though the actually procedure no longer would cause ethical concern the outcome of the process has many ethical dilemmas. When the procedure is actually perfected to be used in clinical study there will need to be many rules and regulations to prevent this procedure from being used for personal gain. However, there does not seem to be anyway to really control who performs the procedure and what they use it for.
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