The topics covered during the roundtable discussions were diverse and interesting. The first group debated on the usage of hybrid electric vehicles, its costs and practicality. The supporting argument was cleaner, less emissions from these vehicles, potentially cheaper with the impending rise of oil prices, and comparable vehicle cost when such vehicles are manufactured on a large scale. The opposing argument was the unavailability of infrastructure to support such vehicles, hence giving rise to higher cost to travel to “charging stations”, along with inconvenience. In addition, this technology is limited only to the relatively developed countries.
The second group debated on the usage of brain scans. Supporters of brain scan claimed that it grants the possibility of obtaining true information with fewer controversies, such as for crime investigation. The opposing side, however, argues that the privacy of individuals are compromised.
The third group debated on the feasibility of Green Chemistry in the context of Singapore. The supporting argument was Singapore has a good infrastructure and has the funds to start Green Chemistry. The opposing argument was Singapore lacks expertise in this field. In addition, investing the funds in other fields seems to be a more practical alternative.
The fourth group debated on whether stem cell research should be implemented. The supporting side claims that resulting benefits will outweigh the high startup costs and embryo wastage, and embryo wastage should not be viewed as exterminating a potential life. The opposing side counters, stating that there is no moral guidance provided simply by hoping that benefits will result. In addition, the benchmark for defining life in embryos is only an arbitrary point.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
4 :: Stem Cell Research and its limitations
The first article is titled “Dolly creator Prof Ian WIlmut shuns cloning”. It covers the key reasons behind the limitation of embryonic cloning. Professor Shinya Yamanaka pioneered a new method of extracting stem cells from non embryonic origins, and Professor Ian Wilmut is in favour of it, instead of the nuclear transfer method he used to create Dolly. The new method posed much more advantages over the method involving embryonic cells. Firstly, embryonic stem cells involve wastage of eggs, particularly human eggs which are in short supply. This was illustrated by Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov from Oregon Health and Science University performed a study on rhesus monkeys. He used 304 eggs from the monkeys to generate only 2 lines of embryonic stem cells, and both eventually failed. Secondly, using stem cells derived from embryos involve the extermination of a potential life, which raises the concern of ethics.
The second article is “Stem cell research spells end for therapeutic cloning”. It covers the key reasons why new stem cell research methods will have limited success for therapeutic treatments. One such method, as mentioned previously, involves extracting cells from non embryonic origins. It is believed that this method will resolve ethical issues involving the use of human eggs, but its success and usefulness is still questionable. There were two distinct researchers which managed to perform “reverse engineering” on fully differentiated cells. One of them is Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who pioneered this technique and performed it on mice. Professor James Thomson is the other researcher who managed to obtain embryo-like cells by adding factors which induces the reversal of fully differentiated cells to embryo cells. He performed test on the embryo-like cells and concluded that they still have minor differences with true embryo cells, based on the expression of about 1000 genes. Both professors expressed that these cells are yet to be useful for current treatment, because the behavior of these cells are not well understood.
Apart from technical limitations, both professors have also expressed concern for the potential misuse of such technology. One example is the use of such technology by lesbian couples to have children.
References:
Highfield, R. (2008, November 10). Dolly creator Prof Ian Wilmut shuns cloning. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3314696/Dolly-creator-Prof-Ian-Wilmut-shuns-cloning.html.
Highfield, R. (2008, November 10). Stem cell research revolution spells end for therapeutic cloning. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3315273/Stem-cell-research-revolution-spells-end-for-therapeutic-cloning.html
The second article is “Stem cell research spells end for therapeutic cloning”. It covers the key reasons why new stem cell research methods will have limited success for therapeutic treatments. One such method, as mentioned previously, involves extracting cells from non embryonic origins. It is believed that this method will resolve ethical issues involving the use of human eggs, but its success and usefulness is still questionable. There were two distinct researchers which managed to perform “reverse engineering” on fully differentiated cells. One of them is Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who pioneered this technique and performed it on mice. Professor James Thomson is the other researcher who managed to obtain embryo-like cells by adding factors which induces the reversal of fully differentiated cells to embryo cells. He performed test on the embryo-like cells and concluded that they still have minor differences with true embryo cells, based on the expression of about 1000 genes. Both professors expressed that these cells are yet to be useful for current treatment, because the behavior of these cells are not well understood.
Apart from technical limitations, both professors have also expressed concern for the potential misuse of such technology. One example is the use of such technology by lesbian couples to have children.
References:
Highfield, R. (2008, November 10). Dolly creator Prof Ian Wilmut shuns cloning. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3314696/Dolly-creator-Prof-Ian-Wilmut-shuns-cloning.html.
Highfield, R. (2008, November 10). Stem cell research revolution spells end for therapeutic cloning. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3315273/Stem-cell-research-revolution-spells-end-for-therapeutic-cloning.html
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