Q & A on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Research in Embryonic Stem Cells at the University of Minnesota

Q. Do University scientists study human embryonic stem cells?

A. Yes. Scientists at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute study human embryonic stem cells, both lines that are eligible for federal funding and those that require private sources of funding. Prior to President Barack Obama’s March 9, 2009, decision to reverse the Bush administration’s policy that prohibited federal funding for research on stem cell lines created prior to August 2001, the University used private donations to work on stem cell lines created after the deadline. Despite this policy reversal, another federal law still prohibits using federal funds to create new embryonic stem cell lines.

Q. Why are scientists interested in expanding the number of lines eligible for federal funding?

A. Existing stem cell lines represent only a tiny fraction of the human gene pool, which does not well-represent the diversity of the human population or the diversity of human illness. The existing cells may not be usable for someone with a certain disease or the studies’ results may only be applicable in a very limited case. In addition, some existing cell lines are contaminated with mouse cells and are not likely useful for treating human patients.

Q. Where do embryo stem cells come from?

A. First, no embryos are created specifically for research use at the University of Minnesota. Users of fertility clinics decide the fate of any unused embryos. They are given four choices: they can save them for future use, they can donate them to others, they can discard them, or they can donate them to research. The University uses embryos that people have chosen to donate to research.   

 Embryos donated for research come from fertility clinics where people have chosen to donate any of their unused, frozen five- or six-day embryo blastocysts rather than discard them. At this stage, a human embryo is a collection of 50 to 100 cells, the size of a cross-section of human hair, that looks like this:

Q. Was it legal for the University to do research with embryo stem cells that are not from federally approved embryo stem cell lines?

A. Yes. The research was entirely legal because it was not paid for with federal funds. That is why the University continues to seek private funding for the research effort. The University decided to pursue this research only after nearly two years of internal review, consultation, and discussion.

Q. What are stem cells, exactly?

A. Stem cells are parent cells for all the tissues of the body. Adult stem cells are committed to form a particular tissue type. Embryo stem cells have the ability to become any tissue type, which is their great potential and promise for important new medical treatments and cures. 

Q. How can stem cell research benefit the public?

A. Here at the University, researchers are studying the use of all types of stem cells for repair of damaged hearts, treatments and cures for Parkinson’s and stroke, as well as treatments for inherited genetic diseases. 

Q. Why is this research taking place at the University of Minnesota?

A. The University of Minnesota has a long history and strong heritage of breakthroughs in medicine and medical research including open-heart surgery, transplantation, and other types of landmark cell biology. The University enjoys an international reputation for our scientists’ work in bone marrow transplantation, pioneering work in the therapeutic uses of umbilical cord blood, and international attention for our work in adult stem cell research.

Q. Why study embryo stem cells? Aren’t adult cells enough?

A. First, investigators do not know which cell, adult or embryo-derived, will ultimately be the best cell for treating a particular disease, and second, lessons learned in one system will be applicable in the other system. Decisions that restrict the funding or legality of research would be premature and harmful to both the scientific process and to the patients who will benefit from treatments developed as a result of our research.

Precisely because the University is a public institution, dedicated to the free and open pursuit of ideas, this research should take place here. A public university provides right of access to information to the public. And a public university provides rigorous public oversight and review of all research taking place here.

Q. What are the ethical issues associated with stem cell research?

A. University researchers are working to expand the boundaries of human knowledge with the goal of benefiting human health. The University understands that some may have concerns about this research and is prepared to engage in a dialogue about the legal, ethical, and moral issues of this research.

We take these issues very seriously at the University and work diligently to ensure all research is conducted respectfully, in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, and respect for the moral and ethical questions surrounding the research.

Q. Are there limits to research done at the University of Minnesota?

A. All new research proposals in the area of human embryo research or human embryonic stem cell research must be approved before commencement by a human Embryonic Stem Cell and human embryo Research Oversight (ESCRO) committee. This committee has been set up in accordance with National Research Council guidelines and is responsible for assessing both the scientific merit and the ethical justification of proposals. Public research universities exist to pursue new knowledge that can improve life or the quality of life for our communities. In general, this University will pursue all research that is legal, that is ethical, that receives funding, and that is of academic or research value to faculty of the University.

Q. Where can I go for more scientific information about stem cells?

A. The federal National Institutes of Health has an excellent Web site: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/.