Lanterna Rally

Author: Ali Alhomaidan

Publisher:

Published: 2017-07-05

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 9781521762332

Stem cell research has attracted much attention from all over the world for its immense potential in regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease. Stem cells are those groups of cells which can generate specialized cells and organs that perform specific functions. Two main sources of stem cells include embryos during the early phase of embryonic development and adult stem cells. Stem cells from both these sources have the potential to grow and differentiate into specific cell types. The history of stem cell research can be traced back to the late 1800s at which time scientists were experimenting with mammalian egg fertilization processes, but it achieved some success only in 1959 with the production of rabbits through in vitro fertilization. This paved the way for fertilization of human eggs. The first in vitro fertilization of human eggs was successfully achieved in 1981 in the US. Numerous groundbreaking discoveries have been made through research conducted all over the world. This research has uncovered the potential these stem cells have for treating disease and improving human life. However, the research field faces economic, religious, ethical and moral dilemmas, and limitations from government policies in developing, emerging and developed nations. Moreover, regulatory and policy decisions made in developed nations have an impact on stem cell research at an international level because most research is funded by Western Nations. For a new field of study that promises treatments for diseases like diabetes and Parkinsonism, achievements in the field are, to date, modest at best. Some argue that this is due to the lack of funding for research; others argue that it is due to the constricting regulations imposed on stem cell research. I hypothesize that throughout the R&D pipeline required to move stem cells into actual products and applications, several variables affect progress from lab to market. The literature review shows that the R&D pipeline starts with a very large number of patents and publications for both adult and embryonic stem cells, indicative of substantial discovery research being conducted in the field. Data on preclinical analyses are not available, however, we do know that the first discoveries are generally followed by a dramatically reduced number of clinical trials, then even fewer products and applications for stem cells.My research shows that human embryonic stem cells research in particular is affected more than human adult stem cells research as well as other types of biotechnology research by the strict regulatory environment and religious beliefs that prevent the research from progressing through the pipeline by not allowing funding. For example, federal funds have been blocked in the US, due to a court order claiming that human embryonic stem cell research is research done on cells from an embryo once destroyed, consequently breaching the Dickey-Wicker Amendment. In addition, hardly any clinical trials related to human embryonic stem cells are carried out by private or public organizations. This book analyzes all parties involved in clinical trials related to human embryonic research and attempts to determine if an application or product did not go forward due to ethical, regulatory, or religious reasons.