Stem Cell Research

Lifelines #9: Introduction to Stem Cell Research

Monday, July 7, 2025

Greetings, brothers and sisters!

While this could be a complicated discussion, I will attempt to keep it basic. First, a definition: "Stem cells are a special type of cells that have two important properties. They are able to make more cells like themselves... And they can become other cells that do different things in a process known as differentiation. Stem cells are found in almost all tissues of the body. And they are needed for the maintenance of tissue as well as for repair after injury." Stem cells: What they are and what they do - Mayo Clinic

Stem cells can be obtained from various sources: 

• Embryonic stem cells. These stem cells come from embryos that are 3 to 5 days old. At this stage, an embryo is called a blastocyst and has about 150 cells.

• Adult stem cells. These stem cells are found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat. Compared with embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have a more limited ability to give rise to various cells of the body.

• Adult cells altered to have properties of embryonic stem cells. Scientists have transformed regular adult cells into stem cells using genetic reprogramming. By altering the genes in the adult cells, researchers can make the cells act similarly to embryonic stem cells. These cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).This new technique may allow use of reprogrammed cells instead of embryonic stem cells and prevent immune system rejection of the new stem cells. However, scientists don't yet know whether using altered adult cells will cause adverse effects in humans.

• Perinatal stem cells. Researchers have discovered stem cells in amniotic fluid as well as umbilical cord blood. These stem cells can change into specialized cells.

Stem cells: What they are and what they do - Mayo Clinic

Controversy exists over the ethical use of human embryonic stem cells for research purposes. In order for these cells to be used, the embryo must be destroyed, thus killing the tiny human. Proponents of the use of embryonic stem cells for research point out that the cells are leftovers from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), obtained by informed consent from the parents, and would be destroyed anyway. While this may sound like a reasonable argument, it smacks of stories of German doctors experimenting on Jewish victims before they sent them to the gas chambers. Wasn't  the harmful research justified? After all, the victims were going to be destroyed anyway. Moreover, just because someone is destined for destruction, does that excuse us to treat him as less than human? 

More could be said about whether the use of embryonic stem cells has resulted in any positive treatments for disease, but isn't that beside the point? Should we "do evil that good may come?" (Romans 3:8a, ESV)

Keep seeking to think biblically.

Juanita

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 ESV

For more on the ethics of IVF, see Lifelines #3.

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