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Human Embryo Research

Human Embryo Research. James G. Anderson, Ph. D Purdue University. Treatment of Embryos. Genetic Screening Research. Technology. Amniocentesis (after 15 weeks of gestation) Chorionic villus sampling (1st trimester) Pre-implantation genetic screening (before clinical pregnancy).

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Human Embryo Research

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  1. Human Embryo Research James G. Anderson, Ph. D Purdue University.

  2. Treatment of Embryos • Genetic Screening • Research

  3. Technology • Amniocentesis (after 15 weeks of gestation) • Chorionic villus sampling (1st trimester) • Pre-implantation genetic screening (before clinical pregnancy)

  4. Issues: Costs • Eight million carriers of cystic fibrosis • 30,000 babies born with cystic fibrosis • Annual costs of care range from $8,500-46,000 • Embryonic screening cost $6,000-13,000 • The cost is not covered by health insurance in the U.S. • The cost is covered in the U.K.

  5. Options • Elect not to have children • Artificial insemination with anonymous donor • Prenatal genetic testing with possible abortion • Pre-implantation genetic screening

  6. Pre-implantation Genetic Testing • in vitro fertilization (IVF) • Allow fertilized cells to divide until 8 cells – 3 days • Remove single cell for diagnosis within 15 hours • Decide whether or not to implant

  7. What should we test for? • Genetic disorders 700 inherited conditions 344 test clinically available 211 prenatal tests offered • Traits • Gender

  8. Inherited Genetic Disorders • Tay-Sachs disease • Sickle-cell anemia • Cystic fibrosis • Hemophilia • Huntington’s Disease • Down’s Syndrome

  9. Arguments in favor of testing • Permits couples with genetic predispositions for disease to conceive a child without passing on the disorder • Reduces abortions • Couples have a right to the information

  10. Arguments against testing • May lead to designer babies • Results in destruction of embryos • Discriminates against embryos with disabilities • Potential misuse of genetic information • Potential stigma and discrimination against carriers

  11. Ethical Issues • Life of the embryo • Eugenics • Use of genetic information (e.g, employers, insurance companies • Lack of regulation of fertility clinics • Disposal of unused embryos

  12. Research • Improvements in pregnancy • Fertilization • Egg activation, maturation and freezing • Embryonic screening • Harvesting embryonic stem cells • Cloning • Cross-species fertilization

  13. Stem cell research • Derived from 4-day old embryos • Stem calls can be transformed into 220 human cell types (e.g., pancreatic cells, nerve cells, skin cells, cardiac muscle cells

  14. Stem cells may cure • Alzheimer’s disease • Parkinson’s disease • Huntington’s disease • Diabetes • Spinal cord injuries • Skin tissue for burn victims • Damaged arteries and hearts • Grow body parts (livers, hearts)

  15. Arguments for research • Potential cures for neurological and other illnesses • New field of research will boost the biotechnology industry • Other countries will continue research and development • Fertility clinics already possess 400,000 unused frozen embryos that will be discarded

  16. Arguments against research • Fertilized egg is a human being and should not be destroyed • Stem cell research is similar to using the results of Nazi medical experiments • Using fertilized eggs for research is a “slippery slope” • Commercial exploitation – treat human embryos as property • Production of embryos to harvest stem cells.

  17. Potential Therapeutic Uses • Parkinson’s Disease • Huntington’s Disease • Diabetes • Spinal cord injuries • Growth of new tissue/organs from stem cells

  18. Regulations • NIH ban on funds for research on human embryos • Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act 1992 • 25 states have laws regulating disposal of embryos • Congress is considering the Human Genome Privacy Act • Debate over applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act • NIH guidelines allow federal funding of research with embryonic stem cells from existing cell lines • 28 states criminalize harm to fetus • Unborn Victims of Violence Act (pending)

  19. NIH Human Embryo Research Panel Recommendations Acceptable Research • Methods of improving the chances of pregnancy • Fertilization • Egg activation, maturation, and freezing • Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis • Development of embryonic stem cells

  20. Needs Additional Review • Cloning and use of oocytes without their transfer to the uterus for gestation

  21. Unacceptable Research • Cloning and use of oocytes followed by transfer to the uterus for gestation • Cross-species fertilization

  22. Guidelines for Review/ Conduct of Federally Funded Research • Qualified researcher • Valid research design • Major scientific clinical benefits • Number of embryos should be minimal • Informed consent obtained from gamete donors • Embryos not be created solely for research • No buying and selling of embryos • No research on embryos more than 14 days old

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