About The Ohio Stem Cell Network
We are Ohioans who support stem cell research. We do so because this research holds promise for alleviating the suffering and saving the lives of more than 100 million Americans. Our network in Ohio consists of individuals - patients, families, and friends - who want to unite our voices in support of stem cell research. Medical researchers believe that stem cell research could lead to new treatments or cures for diseases that afflict hundreds of thousands of Ohio's children and adults and millions of other Americans. However, some of Ohio's legislators have attempted to pass state laws that would ban and criminalize promising types of stem cell research in Ohio. Citizen disapproval of Ohio House Bill 355 and Ohio Senate Bill 25 can aid to prevent such bans.
The Ohio Stem Cell Newtork (OSCN) wants to make it clear that stem cell research is supported by Ohioans and should thus be supported by our laws. We support public policy that will enable scientists to explore the full potential of this promising new field of medicine. We support the establishment of clear ethical boundaries and oversight guidelines for stem cell research conducted in Ohio including a strict ban on any attempt to clone a human being.
Together we can make a DIFFERENCE ... Together we can provide HOPE ... Together we can promote LIFE.
Our Policy Statement
OSCN is dedicated to alleviating human suffering caused by various illnesses and diseases including Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal cord damage, stroke, and birth defects by supporting basic and clinical scientific stem cell research. For many of these diseases or conditions, future cures will almost certainly involve replacing the destroyed tissue or cells because symptoms and suffering are directly caused by the destruction of cells and tissues that the adult human body cannot regenerate.
Consequently, OSCN is committed to all paths of research that lead to this goal. We believe that anything less would be a disservice to the millions of victims suffering from these conditions, their families, and the entire nation. We take it upon ourselves as citizens to make certain that all people suffering from diseases can hold onto their hope to benefit as quickly as possible from the very best science and technology that researchers in Ohio have to offer.
· OSCN supports research to translate the promise of embryonic stem cell research into treatments and cures for millions of Americans suffering from devastating diseases.
· OSCN supports the ethical derivation and use of human pluripotent stem cells in research.
· OSCN supports obtaining human stem cells from discarded embryos, or from fetal tissue, and notes that it in no way alters their final disposition. OSCN understands that infertility treatments generate excess embryos that are discarded. By using discarded embryos or fetal tissue, stem cells destined for destruction can instead be saved to develop future medical benefits, provided that the donors of discarded embryos or fetal tissue are fully informed and give consent.
· OSCN does NOT support reproductive cloning of human beings.
OSCN recognizes that stem cell research is a complex issue that fuels strong opinions. Although it is impossible for any person or organization to adopt a policy on this subject that will not be in opposition to some opinions and feelings, the immense potential benefit to be consequent from this new area of research compels us to join with the broad scientific and patient advocacy communities in supporting the careful and ethical derivation and use of human pluripotent stem cells in scientific research.
The Current Policy Debate
Stem cell research has shown promise in saving millions of lives every year. However, the Ohio State Legislature is currently considering legislation that would ban stem cell research at state universities as well as impose criminal penalties on researchers using stem cells in areas such as pediatric cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Stem cell research has great promise and should be allowed to continue in Ohio within carefully and thoughtfully developed guidelines. We live in a democracy –a representative democracy – in which good governance will only result from community action. It is of utmost importance for our legislators to fully realize the concerns of their constituents. The value of your voice and opinion is priceless.
In short, stem cells could hold the key to remarkable breakthroughs in disease cures, nerve replacements and tissue growth. Conservative organizations say those cells hold the key to human life and should be protected. The clashing of science, religion and politics has left Ohio legislative leaders struggling to decide what restrictions should be placed on embryonic stem cell research.
Here is the dilemma of many conservative legislators: If research is curtailed too much, Republican leaders might turn away scientists and forfeit a new wave of research, contradicting their oft-repeated goal of transforming Ohio’s economy by developing high-tech jobs. If research is given an absolute go-ahead, Republican leaders risk angering supporters who equate embryonic stem-cell research with abortion.
This is the problem: stem cell research should be equated with life NOT death; stem cell research is in no way equivocal to abortion. We must educate the public about the true facts of stem cell research and to put an end to the association between stem cells and abortion. This would thus allow the legislature to pass laws in accordance with their constituents views based as well as the truth about stem cell research.
Every day in the United States, thousands of blastocysts (which contain stem cells) are destroyed not by scientists in labs but by the natural workings of female reproductive organs. Studies estimate that 40 percent to 70 percent of fertilized eggs never implant in a uterus. All embryonic stem-cell research in the United States derives from unused embryos frozen during in-vitro fertilization — and all are used only with the consent of the couples who created them. Of the roughly 400,000 frozen embryos in the United States, most will not be used. Some groups, such as Nightlight Christian Adoptions in California, have established adoption programs for unused embryos, but those left over would simply be destroyed.
After debating the issue for months, GOP lawmakers are sitting on two bills that would restrict embryonic stem cell research and the related field of cloning. If passed, they would supplement President Bush’s Aug. 9, 2001, directive that prohibits federal funding for research on stem-cell lines created after that date.
Policies Promoting Ethical Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Research with human embryonic stem cells is a relatively new technology and enters into some uncharted ethical territory. Among the many ethics boards and professional societies that have carefully reviewed the science and debated policies, some essential ethical standards have emerged for the conduct of this research:
Use only IVF clinic embryos that are already slated for disposal.
Obtain parental consent, without coercion, to use embryos for research.
Do not purchase embryos or pay donors.
Do not create human embryos solely for research.
Do not use nuclear transfer techniques for reproductive cloning.
Many major religious organizations have also considered these questions and attempted to provide guidance on this new issue. A compendium position statements on stem cell research by a broad array of scientific, disease and research groups may be found at theCoalition for the Advancement of Medical Research’s website.
A few of these are summarized here:
National Academy of Sciences Board on Life Sciences and Board on Health Sciences Policy
Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
2005
Create special review boards to oversee human embryonic stem cell research. These boards should ensure adherence to informed consent and protection of confidentiality; evaluate all plans to create new hES cell lines; and review plans to introduce hES cells into non-human animals. Do not study any human embryo for more than 14 days, or until formation of the primitive streak (body axis and beginnings of central nervous system), whichever comes first. Do not use hES cells to create chimeras or insert hES cells into non-human primates. Animals that have been implanted with hES should not be permitted to breed. Do not offer any incentives including financial or medical to donors. (Full Text)
American Medical Association
Adopted by the AMA House of Delegates
2002 AMA Annual Meeting
The AMA Supports biomedical research on multipotent stem cells (including adult and cord blood stem cells); Supports the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology in biomedical research (therapeutic cloning); Opposes the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology for the specific purpose of producing a human child (reproductive cloning); Encourages strong public support of federal funding for research involving human pluripotent stem cells; and Will continue to monitor developments in stem cell research and the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. (Full Text)
American Association for Cancer Research
Approved by the AACR Board of Directors
April 15, 2005
AACR believes that stem cell research can be conducted in a manner consistent with established ethical principles, and so strongly supports responsible explorations of the full spectrum of stem cell biology, including the use of human embryonic stem cells, for meritorious scientific research and therapy development. (Full Text)
National Health Council
July 2000
The National Health Council believes that stem cell research should move forward under strict guidelines that provide proper oversight and public accountability. (Full Text)
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