Stem cells are well known for being a hotbed of controversy. Although stem cell therapy has been practiced for nearly forty years, this controversy primarily took off with the discovery of embryonic stem cells in the late 1990s. This finding raised ethical and moral concerns among some religious groups and individuals because taking stem cells from an embryo leads to its destruction—something they see as akin to the taking of a human life.
Because of the extremely vocal opposition by this fringe minority, researchers have been forced to search for alternative methods that would offer the same potential as embryonic stem cells without the ethical concerns. Here is a look at a few alternatives to embryonic stem cell research.
Cloning
Researchers clone embryos by inserting the genetic material of an adult cell into an egg cell. With this method, embryos are no longer needed because in vitro fertilized (IVF) eggs are used instead. This is a promising technique, since roughly 3% to 10% of the 500,000 fertilized eggs produced yearly through IVF in the US go undeveloped.
However, there are some setbacks with cloning stem cells. While embryonic cells have an unlimited ability to become any type of cell in the body, cloned cells do not.
Cord Blood
The umbilical cord is another source of stem cells, and the cells harvested from this source have the potential to treat up to 70 different diseases.
Currently, cord blood cells have been used to regenerate the immune systems of people treated for leukemia. Like embryonic cells, cord blood cells contain pluripotent stem cells, which means they can develop into any of the cell types required by the body. However, even with similarities, researchers still do not believe that this method, like other alternatives, is as promising as embryonic stem cells.
Amniotic Stem Cells
The discovery of stem cells in the amniotic fluid, the watery substance that surrounds the fetus, occurred in 2003. This finding provided researchers with hope that they could take these stem cells and convert them into other cells that would offer some of the same benefits as embryonic stem cells.
The sampling of amniotic fluid in expectant mothers is a routine procedure, and collecting its stem cells does not pose a great threat to mother or child. This alternative method is especially beneficial in countries that do not allow embryonic stem cell research. However, the technique is not equal to the potential embryonic stem cells provide.
