Uncontroversial Stem Cell Research?

The Associated Press reported in the November 18, 2006 New York Times online article “Stem Cell Experiment Yields Heart Valves” (found at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/health/18stem.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin) that researchers have found a way to grow replacement heart valves from amniotic stem cells.

Using stem cells from the amniotic fluid surrounding a growing baby, Swiss scientists from the University of Zurich have successfully isolated fetal stem cells and cultured heart valves that could potentially be used to fix babies born with heart defects. Led by Dr. Simon Hoerstrup, the scientific team separated stem cells from amniotic fluid removed during a prenatal test. Heart valve tissue was grown from the cells in the laboratory in specialized molds. Japanese scientists have completed similar experiments where they created rabbit heart valves from the rabbit’s own tissues. For babies, using valves made from their own tissue may allow the valves to grow with them, a feature not belonging to donor heart valves or artificial valves. The benefits of using stem cells from amniotic fluid are numerous. Amniotic fluid has high concentrations of stem cells and the stem cells can be kept frozen, making them ideal for creating replacement tissues for older patients as well as young patients.

The scientists working on this type of stem cell research are entering new territory. Stem cells have proven to be controversial in the past, yet obtaining amniotic stem cells does not require the demolition of embryos. Hoerstrup recognized the “ethical advantage” as a great plus of his team’s work. Though these scientists do not have to brave the treacherous waters of moral controversy that normally surround stem cells, they do have unmapped seas through which to navigate. The use of the laboratory-grown heart valves have only been minimally tested in animals, not humans. Hoerstrup and the other Swiss researchers face years of trial experiments involving sheep before any work can be done on humans. Such scientists require great long-term determination and perseverance. However, it seems that optimism is paramount to the success of these scientists. Hoerstrup states, “I’m pretty sure the ball will continue to be advanced down the field. We’ll get there one way or the other.”

I have never heard of stem cells that do not harm embryos. If progress can be made with amniotic stem cells as much as progress has been made with embryonic stem cells, many changes would take place in scientific funding, within the political arena, and among groups worried about the moral and ethical implications of stem cell research. The removal of the element of controversy will allow great strides to be made in growing tissues and replacement parts from amniotic stem cells without the hassle of red tape and intense public debate. I think the ultimate success of growing replacement heart valves from stem cells depends on how well the science community explains the process to the public, so that unneeded worry and controversy can be avoided.