Research Ethics and Stem Cells
Stem cells show potential for many different areas of health and medical research, and studying them can help us understand how they transform into the dazzling array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are caused by problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions.
Research on one kind of stem cell—human embryonic stem cells—has generated much interest and public debate. Pluripotent stem cells (cells that can develop into many different cell types of the body) are isolated from human embryos that are a few days old. Pluripotent stem cell lines have also been developed from fetal tissue (older than 8 weeks of development).
As science and technology continue to advance, so do ethical viewpoints surrounding these developments. It is important to educate and explore the issues, scientifically and ethically. The NIH has a bioethics special interest group, which maintains a list of online resources about the ethics of stem cell research.
For More Information
The following links to other Internet sites are offered only for the convenience of World Wide Web users. The NIH is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does the NIH endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services, or information described or offered at these other Internet sites.
- The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University Library & Information Services allows searches of books, newspapers, journal articles, and other materials on bioethical issues.
- President's Council on Bioethics Advises the President on ethical issues related to advances in biomedical science and technology, such as stem cells.
- Stem Cell Research and Applications: Monitoring the Frontiers of Biomedical Research (300K PDF; get Adobe Reader) The American Association for the Advancement of Science (publisher of Science magazine) and the Institute for Civil Society produced this report addressing stem cells and ethics.
- The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research The International Society for Stem Cell Research provides this information as a public service to those wishing to discuss stem cell ethics.
- Report On Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research from the European Union (1.5MB PDF; get Adobe Reader)