By Paul NagourneyCatholic Online
"It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed ?" these words of Caiphas, aimed at convincing Pilate to Crucify Jesus, reflect the same issues wrongly posed by the popular media to the people of today. "Is it acceptable to kill human life of a fetus, so that others may benefit?"
Much discussion is occurring regarding the use of stem cells. As with any scientific discussion that enters the public domain, mass misinformation and exaggeration of facts is occurring, so that the faithful are cornered into the position to ask themselves whether stem cell research reflects the will of God, or whether this is a deception of the evil one, aimed at desanctification of human life. The Holy Fathers of the Church teach us that the "devil may appear as an angel of light ", could stem cells be one of these situations in which something is given to us that appears life promoting but really is a dangerous trap?
What are stem cells?
In order for us to understand the issues involved, and what exactly stem cells are, we are forced to take a quick lesson into the science of stem cells. A stem cell is a cell whose purpose is to generate new cells while having the ability to make copies of itself. Everyone has stem cells inside of them. For example, blood is made from stem cells in the bone marrow, after your skin is injured healing occurs because of stem cells in the skin, even after a stroke, although to a small extend, new brain cells are made from stem cells that are found in the brain. The younger an organism is, the more potent the stem cells are. For example, stem cells in a young person are found in higher numbers and have a higher ability to repair damaged tissue as compared to stem cells in an older person. So far there is nothing controversial, right? Right. The stem cells in the developed human can not make another human from scratch. They can make human tissues that are useful for repairing the human body, but they can not make a whole new human. They are not a new human life, but an extension of an existing life. These are adult stem cells.
The problems started when scientists wanted to analyze the earliest stem cell. Since stem cells from children are theoretically more potent than from adults, stem cells from embryos should be even more potent. According to this reasoning, the first cell in the development of a human life, the fertilized egg, is the most potent stem cell. Embryonic stem cells are made from the fertilized egg. They are essentially copies of the fertilized egg that can reproduce in the laboratory. These cells, because of their potential to create a completely new human, are considered by the Catholic Church a human life, and accordingly their manipulation is a sin . What is more disturbing is the horrendous desecration of human life that routinely occurs with these cells for the purposes of "research"...research that has little to do with advancement of human health. We will discuss two abominable acts that are routinely performed in the name of "science" which call to God for punishment. Two acts that are so horrendous that any God-fearing person who respects human life should be disgusted upon hearing about.
Desecration of human life: Worse than 'just' killing
We learn from the Bible and the traditions of the Holy Fathers that God hates unnatural acts. Acts such as homosexuality have led to destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Furthermore, we learn from the Bible that acts that defile the dignity of the human such as bestiality are also vile and punishable. So we know that embryonic stem cell research is condemned by the Church because it involves destruction of human life. But how many of us know the other side of embryonic stem cell research? The side that cries to the Heavens begging punishment? The dark side of embryonic stem cell research that conceptually is a "sin against the Holy Spirit " and accordingly is unforgivable?
The first is the generation of mangled human life in the test-tube called "embryoid bodies". In the same way that the fertilized egg after implanting into the mother's womb starts to develop into different tissues, the embryonic stem cell, when placed under "non-adherent" conditions starts to form layers of disorganized tissues. These include brain tissue, pancreatic tissue, and virtually any tissue that is found in the adult . This disorganized monstrosity, literally, a mangled human in a bottle, is subsequently broken down into specific cells, and the cells are then used for experimentation. If we as Christians really believe that life starts with the fertilized egg, and that we are "made in God's image", then is it not revolting to purposely transform the beauty of God into the disorder of the devil? Is not the devil described as "the king of chaos?."
The second terrible act performed in the name of science is the injection of these human lives into animals that lack an immune system. In the study of embryonic stem cells, researchers want to mimic what it would be like to administer an embryonic stem cell in a human, but since they are not allowed to do this, they administer the cells into mice that are genetically engineered not to have an immune response, this way the mice accept the human embryonic stem cells. One may ask, what happens when these human embryonic stem cells are administered into mice. If the cells have not been manipulated, they usually form a type of cancer called a teratoma . This human cancer in the mouse can be seen as the human tissue undergoing a state of disorganization, similar to that found in the embryoid body which we discussed above. If we as Christians really believe that embryonic stem cells are a human life, then why on earth would we allow for human life to be mixed with animals at a cellular level?
Medical problems with embryonic stem cells
Individuals not sharing respect for human life will answer the question posed by Caiphas, the same way that Caiphas answered it: "it is better for one life to be sacrificed in order for many lives to be saved". So let us examine the scenario in which we put aside our beliefs and ask ourselves whether embryonic stem cells actually have the potential to benefit humanity. The answer is a resounding "no". We will explain three fundamental points that demonstrate in a black and white manner that embryonic stem cells from a scientific point of view are not therapeutically useful, nor will be in the foreseeable future.
1. Embryonic stem cells cause cancer. The actual definition of an embryonic stem cell is based on its ability to cause the teratoma type of cancer in the mouse. Now what exactly is a teratoma? The word "teratoma" comes from Greek, which means "monstrous tumor ." This type of cancer occurs rarely in humans and is fatal if not surgically excised before spreading. Defendants of embryonic stem cell research tell us that teratomas will not occur if embryonic stem cells are used in medicine, since it is not embryonic stem cells that are given to people, but embryonic stem cells made into specific tissues that the patient needs. The problem with this argument is that biology is not perfect. Even if conceptually in 10 years it is possible to make, for example functioning liver cells from embryonic stem cells, how will it be possible to purify 100% only the newly generated liver cells and no left over cancer cells? It only takes one single cancer cell to cause a tumor to form. To this point, the defenders of embryonic stem cells will tell us that even if a tumor cell is left over, it will be rejected by the immune system. This is not correct since teratomas possess mechanisms to "hide" from the immune system, whereas normal tissue does not. An example of this is a mouse study in which teratomas developed and were not rejected, while the few embryonic stem cells that did differentiate into heart tissue were rejected by the animal .
2. It is not possible to generate equivalent of human adult tissues from embryonic stem cells. The embryonic stem cell represents the fertilized egg. It has the same immaturity as the fertilized egg. During normal development it takes numerous biological processes occur for a cell to "grow up" from the immature state of the fertilized egg to the maturity of, say a heart cell in a 63 year old person with heart disease. Since the embryonic stem cells are so immature, it is nave to think that by exposing the cells to certain chemicals we can "accelerate" their maturation from processes that take decades to the timespan of days. For example, embryonic stem cells treated with specific chemicals can mature into what resembles heart cells. These cells even beat in the test-tube ! However, these cells are not true heart cells since a lot of the properties of an adult heart cell are not possessed by these "accelerated maturity" cells. Accordingly, to date, no real tissue equivalent has been generated by embryonic stem cells.
3. Embryonic stem cells are not compatible with the recipient. Let us imagine that the problem of cancer, and the problem of lack of maturity, has been resolved. A very significant obstacle that few people talk about is the fact that the tissues generated from embryonic stem cells are not compatible with the general population. God has made humans very unique from each other immunologically. This is why recipients of organ transplants are required to take drugs that suppress the immune system. Even if people take immune suppressing drugs, the transplant surgeon will not perform the transplant unless the tissues are immunologically matched. The likelihood of finding immunologically matched organs is between 1in 100,000 to 1 in 10,000,000. At present there are approximately 100 embryonic stem cell lines, which are derived from approximately 100 individuals. Therefore even through using immune suppressive drugs (which are toxic and have many side effects), the ability of embryonic stem cells to be used on a widespread basis is impossible.
Adult stem cells as an alternative
It is sad that with all the media and public attention given to embryonic stem cells, the great promise of adult stem cells is largely forgotten. As we discussed at the beginning of the article, adult stem cells are found in all of our bodies and have the purpose of healing injured tissue. The only problem with adult stem cells is that these cells usually are not found at high enough concentrations at the areas where they are needed. For example, people who have a heart attack or stroke, contain much higher concentrations of stem cells in their blood compared to healthy people. This is because the stem cells start to migrate to the injured tissue in order to heal it but there are not enough of them to cause full healing. If one could increase the number of stem cells in the body then theoretically, one could enhance the ability of the body to heal itself. Indeed, this appears to be possible. Numerous studies have shown that augmentation of this natural process by administration of adult stem cells is highly beneficial to patients with diseases ranging from heart failure , to peripheral artery disease , to Crohn's Disease .
In contrast to embryonic stem cells, which have never been used in people and most likely will not be in the next several years, thousands of patients have benefited from adult stem cells. Unfortunately, in the US, adult stem cells can only be obtained by joining clinical trials, which may be found at the NIH website http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. The only alternative for patients seeking adult stem cell therapy is going outside to US to clinics such as http://www.cellmedicine.com which replicate the procedures used experimentally in the US for select patients that fit the inclusion criteria.
Conclusion: Adult stem cells are the Catholic Christian's response
In today's time of general godlessness and lack of respect for life, it is not only the responsibility, but the obligation, of the Catholic faithful to understand the fundamental difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research is associated with not only killing of innocent life, but also obscene desecration of God's Image. Additionally, for the reasons mentioned, embryonic stem cells do not pose a scientific solution to health problems. They are a source of siphoning funds and attention away from real stem cell research that actually helps people's health. Adult stem cells, being part of the body that God gave to us are a great scientific discovery, whose translation into cures for horrible disease should be strongly endorsed by the faithful.
- - -
1 John 11:50. 2 St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. 3 Reverend Demetrios Demopulos, Ph.D. Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research, Volume III, Religious Perspectives, National Bioethics Advisory Commission, Rockville, Maryland, June 2000. 4 Matthew 12:31. 5 Kurosawa H. Methods for inducing embryoid body formation: in vitro differentiation system of embryonic stem cells. J Biosci Bioeng. 2007 May;103(5):389-98. 6 Mikkola et al. Distinct differentiation characteristics of individual human embryonic stem cell lines. BMC Dev Biol. 2006 Aug 8;6:40. 7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teratoma . 8 Nussbaum et al. Transplantation of undifferentiated murine embryonic stem cells in the heart: teratoma formation and immune response. FASEB J. 2007 May;21(7):1345-57. 9 Abdel-Latif et al. Adult bone marrow-derived cells for cardiac repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2007 May 28;167(10):989-97. 10 Hernandez et al. Autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cell implantation in patients with severe lower limb ischaemia: A comparison of using blood cell separator and Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Atherosclerosis. 2006 Sep 15; 11 http://www.osiris.com.
Catholic Online http://www.catholic.orgCA, USPaul Nagourney - Author, 661 869-1000
stem cells
Here is the original post:
Catholic response to stem cells - Featured Today ...
- Pluristyx, panCELLa, and Implant Therapeutics Announce Definitive Merger Agreement - Business Wire - October 13th, 2022
- Johns Hopkins Scientists Have Developed a Nanobody That May Treat Parkinson's Disease - SciTechDaily - September 25th, 2022
- UMD students contribute to tech, health fields with summer research projects - The Diamondback - September 16th, 2022
- Pair of Hopkins teams receive $200K in technology grants - Maryland Daily Record - August 22nd, 2022
- RoosterBio and AGC Biologics team up to accelerate manufacture of cell and exosome therapies - BioPharma-Reporter.com - August 22nd, 2022
- Stem Cell Transplant Reverses Sickle Cell Disease in Adults - July 3rd, 2022
- LONGEVERON INC. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (form 10-Q) - Marketscreener.com - May 15th, 2022
- Top Ways To Rejuvenate Your Body And Improve Your Well-being - The Southern Maryland Chronicle - April 19th, 2022
- BioCardia Announces FDA Approval of Its IND for NK1R+ Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Patients Recovering from Acute Respiratory Distress... - April 19th, 2022
- Synthetic biology's past, present and future explored in timely new account - Winnipeg Free Press - April 6th, 2022
- US is Out of Step on Primate Research With Rest of World - NewsClick - October 5th, 2021
- A Look Inside A Termite's Gut Wins The 11th Annual Nikon Small World in Motion Competition - PRNewswire - August 18th, 2021
- What really happened in Wuhan? - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian - June 6th, 2021
- UMD Researchers Perform Crucial Proof-of-Concept ... - December 20th, 2020
- US gets more help in raging battle against COVID-19 as FDA authorizes Moderna vaccine, the second allowed for emergency use - USA TODAY - December 20th, 2020
- Sirnaomics to Initiate Phase I Study of STP705 in Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancer | DNA RNA and Cells | News Channels -... - December 7th, 2020
- Trump was one of the first 10 patients to get an experimental COVID-19 treatment under special use - Yahoo News - October 8th, 2020
- New toilet, a VR camera and science experiments are heading to t - KAKE - October 8th, 2020
- ShoreRivers awarded DNR grant for two restoration projects - MyEasternShoreMD - August 26th, 2020
- CRISPR cows could boost sustainable meat production, but regulations and wary consumers stand in the way - Genetic Literacy Project - August 26th, 2020
- Over $8M in 2020 Stem Cell Funding Awards Continue to Fuel Marylands Leading Cell Therapy Industry - BioBuzz - June 24th, 2020
- Researchers develop nanoengineered bioink to 3D print functional bone tissue - 3D Printing Industry - May 27th, 2020
- 'Virus Goes In, Virus Goes Out': Advocates Call For Release Of More Low-Level Prisoners To Stem Infection Rate - Kaiser Health News - May 22nd, 2020
- What Do New Neurons in the Brains of Adults Actually Do? - The Scientist - May 7th, 2020
- David C. Karli is Offering a New Ray of Hope Through Regenerative Medicine - RESPECT. - May 3rd, 2020
- Could Innate Immunology Save Us From the Coronavirus? - The New York Times - May 3rd, 2020
- Watch: Hogan orders closure of bars, restaurants, theaters and gyms, restricts gatherings - Maryland Daily Record - March 22nd, 2020
- Dr Borehams Crucible: The small cap biotechs trying to make a buck from coronavirus - Stockhead - March 9th, 2020
- The Aussie Biotech Companies Trying To Make A Buck From Coronavirus - D'Marge - March 9th, 2020
- Organoids, iPSCs, and advanced cell models: Advancing discovery from basic research to drug discovery - Science Magazine - March 4th, 2020
- Maryland Stem Cell Center Consortium & Core Facility ... - March 4th, 2020
- Serving those who serve - The Hub at Johns Hopkins - November 14th, 2019
- BioLineRx Presents Preclinical Data From Triple Combination of BL-8040, Anti PD-1 and Chemotherapy Demonstrating Significant Reduction in Pancreatic... - November 6th, 2019
- VetStem Biopharma Shares the Success Story of Ole who was Treated with VetStem Cell Therapy by Dr. Holly Mullen - PR Web - November 6th, 2019
- Contrasting of Applied Therapeutics Inc. (APLT) and Neuralstem Inc. (NASDAQ:CUR) - MS Wkly - November 6th, 2019
- Reviewing Synthetic Biologics Inc. (SYN)'s and Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc. (:)'s results - FinanceMercury - November 6th, 2019
- Comparing of Neuralstem Inc. (CUR) and Allakos Inc. (NASDAQ:ALLK) - MS Wkly - November 6th, 2019
- Head-To-Head Survey: Intrexon (NASDAQ:XON) versus US Stem Cell (NASDAQ:USRM) - Riverton Roll - September 25th, 2019
- Analyzing US Stem Cell (OTCMKTS:USRM) and Intrexon (OTCMKTS:XON) - TechNewsObserver - September 25th, 2019
- Reviewing Intrexon (NASDAQ:XON) & US Stem Cell (NASDAQ:USRM) - Mayfield Recorder - September 25th, 2019
- Artificially Engineering Intestine - Mirage News - September 25th, 2019
- Prothena Corporation plc (PRTA)'s Financial Results Comparing With Neuralstem Inc. (NASDAQ:CUR) - The EN Herald - September 25th, 2019
- cord_blood - Maryland - September 14th, 2019
- Stem Cells and Type 1 Diabetes: What the Future Has in ... - April 24th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy in Maryland | Stem Cell Professionals - April 5th, 2019
- Meristem - Wikipedia - January 17th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy in Annapolis Maryland | Stem Cell ... - October 25th, 2018
- Stem Cell Centers - Towson > Stem Cell Centers - October 6th, 2018
- STEM CELL THERAPY - Orthopedic and Wellness Maryland - September 5th, 2018
- Patient Resources | University of Maryland School of Medicine - September 5th, 2018
- Stem Cell Clinical Trial | University of Maryland Children ... - August 17th, 2018
- Baltimore, Maryland Stem Cell Transplants, Montgomery ... - August 17th, 2018
- Nervous System Stem Cells Can Replace Themselves, Give ... - July 3rd, 2018
- Excellence in Stem Cell Research | University of Maryland ... - June 24th, 2018
- Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund: 2014 Awardees - June 24th, 2018
- Free stem cell Essays and Papers - 123HelpMe - October 12th, 2017
- How Stem Cell Therapy Can Help Repair and Regenerate Your Body - October 12th, 2017
- How Stem Cell Therapy Can Help Repair and ... - Mercola.com - September 4th, 2017
- Science and technology to get boost from CRS-12 mission - SpaceFlight Insider - August 12th, 2017
- Cannon Scholars visit National Institute of Standards and Technology - Dover Post - August 9th, 2017
- Lab-Grown, Virus-Free Stem Cells Repair Retinal Tissue in ... - August 9th, 2017
- Roanoke researchers pursue treatments for the type of deadly brain cancer affecting McCain - Roanoke Times - August 3rd, 2017
- The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) | Tedco - November 25th, 2016
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine ... - November 14th, 2016
- Ginger | University of Maryland Medical Center - September 6th, 2016
- Johns Hopkins Team Creates Stem Cells From Schizophrenia ... - September 5th, 2016
- Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neuronal Cells ... - August 18th, 2016
- Maryland Stem Cell Center Consortium and Core Facility ... - August 12th, 2016
- Human Stem Cells Institute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - October 19th, 2015
- Patients' Own Genetically Altered Immune Cells Show ... - October 19th, 2015
- Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund: Funding Opportunities - July 2nd, 2015
- MRI based on a sugar molecule can tell cancerous from noncancerous cells - March 27th, 2015
- MD Stem Cells Release Optic Nerve Vision Loss Reversed ... - March 22nd, 2015
- TiGenix: TiGenix reports its full year 2014 results - March 18th, 2015
- Gene regulatory path revealed as target for therapy of aggressive pediatric brain cancer - March 10th, 2015
- American Spine offers experimental fix for pain -- Gazette.Net - January 28th, 2015
- American Spine offers experimental fix for pain - January 28th, 2015
- Toughest Breast Cancer May Have Met Its Match - December 9th, 2014
- Bid on Stem Cells and Alcohol-induced Tissue Injuries (R21 ... - November 12th, 2014
- Head, National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Technology ... - November 11th, 2014