Understanding Stem Cell Research-Site License

Understanding Stem Cell Research-Site License

Stem cells are cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They hold back the ability to regenerate themselves by mitotic cell division and can separate into a different array of specialized cell types. Research in the stem cell field grew out of determinations by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are detected in blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells behave as a repair system for the body, refilling specialized cells, but also conserve the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues.

As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with features consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or marrow are touted as bright prospects.

Stem cells have the capacity to replicate themselves into cells with similar properties in order to maintain a pool of precursor cells. Adult stem cells, also called tissue stem cells, are found in differentiated tissues in which, in a controlled manner, they differentiate and/or divide to produce all the specialized cell types of the tissue from which they originate. Adult stem cells are often multipotent, capable to produce several but limited numbers of cell types.

Recent data suggests that stem cells are not only active in embryos, but act throughout our lives, replacing worn and damaged mature cells. Before 1998, however, when the first stem cells were actually identified, they were merely assumed to exist.

This report on Understanding Stem Cell Research provides basic information on stem cells, a historical background on stem cells, information on the different types of stem cells along with where they are derived from, the importance of stem cells and the controversy surrounding stem cells. The report also takes a look at the different types of stem cell research currently available, the benefits of stem cell therapy and research and how they help in the treatment of various diseases.

Also included in the report is a regulatory framework analysis of various countries, along with their stance on stem cell research and therapy. An analysis of the major players in the industry in the U.S., and a detailed future outlook completes this report.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 5

Introduction to Stem Cells 6
What are Stem Cells? 6
Brief History of Stem Cells 6
What are the Properties of Stem Cells? 7
Types of Stem Cells 7
Totipotent Stem Cells 7
Puripotent Stem Cells 8
Multipotent Stem Cells 8
Where are Stem Cells Found? 9
Why are Stem Cells Important? 10
Controversy over Stem Cell Research 10
Differentiating between Stem Cell Research and Cloning 12

Understanding Embryonic Stem Cells 13
What are Embryonic Stem Cells? 13
Developments in Embryonic Stem Cell Research 15
Segregation & In Vitro Culture 15
Manufacture of Male Gametes 15
Infection by Reagents used in Cell Culture 15
Lowering Donor-Host Rejection 16
Potential Method for New Cell Line Derivation 16

Understanding Adult Stem Cells 18
What are Adult Stem Cells? 18
Therapies Derived from Adult Stem Cells 19
Types of Adult Stem Cells 19
Adipose Derived Adult Stem Cells 19
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Epithelial Cells 20
Hematopoietic Stem Cells 20
Mammary Stem Cells 21
Mesenchymal Stem Cells 21
Neural Stem Cells 22
Olfactory Adult Stem Cells 23
Testicular Cells 23
Issues in Adult Stem Cell Research 24

Following the Lineage of Stem Cells 25
What is a Stem Cell Line? 25
Creation of an Embryonic Line 25
Alternative Sources & New Techniques 25

Importance of Stem Cell Therapy 26
Introduction to Stem Cell Therapy 26
Features of Stem Cell Therapy 26
Advantages & Potential of Stem Cell Therapy 26
Prospective Stem Cell Therapies 27
Adult Stem Cell Therapies 27
Potential Tissue Repairing with Embryonic Stem Cells 28
Therapeutic Cloning 28

Using Stem Cells for Treatment 30
What is the Potential of Stem Cells in Treating Diseases? 30
Presently Available Treatments Applying Stem Cells 30
Potential Treatments of the Future 30
Treating Brain Damage 30
Treating Cancer 31
Treating Heart Damage 31
Treating Spinal Cord Injury 32
Treating Haematopoiesis 33
Treating Blood Disorders 33
Treating Bone & Cartilage Diseases 34
Treating Diseases of the Nervous System 34
Treating Baldness 34
Treating Tooth Problems 35
Treating Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases 35
Treating Vision Problems & Blindness 35
Aiding with Drug Testing and Toxicity 36
Isolating Stem Cells and Creating Transplantable Organs 36
Treating Children’s Type 1 Diabetes 37
Restriction of Stem Cell Therapies due to Immune Rejection 37
Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treating Diseases 39
Treatments with Adult Stem Cells vs. Embryonic Stem Cells 39

Controversies Surrounding Stem Cell Research and Development 40
Challenging the Source of Stem Cells 40
Ethics Issues of Human Stem Cells 42
Is the Human Embryo Destroyed? 43
Challenges Based on Spiritual Beliefs 44
Restrictions on Stem Cell Development Due to Cloning 45

High Cost of Stem Cell Research and Development 47
Principles of Justice 48
Who is Accountable and What about Regulation? 49
Issue of Intellectual Property Rights 50
Using Better Alternatives? 51

High Cost of Stem Cell Research and Potential of Funding - U.S. Policy 52
Funding Embryo Research over the Years 52
Policy on Stem Cell Research Funding 54
Policy Being Affected by Ethical Issues 55
Requirement of Federal Funding 56
Disadvantages of Global Political Disparity on Stem Cell Research
for the U.S. 57
Timeline of Stem Cell Funding and Policy Debate in the U.S. 59

Country-Wide Analysis – Developments and Trends 62
Australia 62
Canada 63
China 64
European Union 64
Japan 65
United Kingdom 65
United States 67

Major Players 69
Aastrom Biosciences 69
BioTransplant 70
Cryo-Cell International 70
Geron 72
StemCells, Inc. 73
Advanced Cell Technology Inc 74
Stem Cell Innovations 76
Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. 77
CryoCord Sdn. Bhd. 78
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC. 79

Future of Stem Cell Research 80

Appendix 81

Glossary 85

List of Figures

Figure 1: Pluripotent, Embryonic Stem Cells 81
Figure 2: Human Stem Cell Colony 82
Figure 3: Cell Cycle 83
Figure 4: Development of the Pre-Implantation Blastocyst in Humans 83
Figure 5: Major Goals in the Development of Transplantation Therapies from Human ES Cell Lines 84