Although stem cell research is the target of much discussion, debate and two presidential vetoes, a noted biology professor and author points out that stem cell research has been taking place for more than a century.
Jane Maienschein, Regents’ Professor and chair of the Program for Science and Society at Arizona State University, spoke recently to students, faculty and guests at Washington University to begin the Center for the Humanities 2008 Faculty Fellows Lecture and Workshop series.
She cited as some early examples of stem cell research the pioneering work of Wilhelm Roux, a German zoologist who experimented with the cells of frog eggs in 1888 and determined that the parts of an organism are determined at the two-cell state.
In 1892 Roux and German embryologist Hans Driesch separated the first two cells formed by a dividing sea urchin and discovered that each would form a whole larva.
Hans Spemann conducted a lifetime of research on the development of a newt. In 1902, Spemann used a strand of hair to split the cell of a two-celled salamander embryo and obtained an individual salamander from each individual cell. Spemann determined that the process of induction directs the development of cells into particular tissue. Spemann went on to earn the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1935 for discovering the effect of embryonic induction.
A study of mice in 1953 by Leroy Stevens, Ph.D. revealed teratoma cells, a rare cancerous tumor cell which had a mixture of hair, teeth and other cells. Stevens identified and named the cells pluripotent embryonic stem cells – the origin of the term “stem cell.”
Maienschein said Stevens’ work was funded by tobacco companies who wanted to know if cigarette paper or tobacco caused cancer. Stevens and his colleagues developed techniques for culturing and manipulating the cells, leading to numerous advances in the field.
She said it was only 10 years ago when stem cells were isolated in humans.
Maienschein said a lot of the “hype” about what stem cell research promises is premature because scientists aren’t that advanced in their efforts. She explained that history tells us that how cells react in a culture dish is one thing and how cells react in another medium is something altogether different.
“We should be surprised if we are not surprised,” Maienschein said.
“Cells may do what we want in a culture dish, but a century of transplantation research shows that there is a lot of unpredictability. Each step in transplantation offers more questions to be raised and more possibilities.”
She said more federal funding is needed for research, along with congressional oversight to make sure work is being done safely. She said scientists agree that anyone who is elected as the next president “except Huckabee” will probably get the Stem Cell Enhancement Act passed.
Following the lecture, Maienschein answered audience questions. One student asked what dangers and risks had scientists concerned.
“If we take cells that look perfectly normal in a dish, one of the biggest scientific concerns is cancerous cells developing,” she said. “Even if they work time after time in a dish, how are you going to do the clinical trials?”
Although stem cells are being discussed as a possible method to treat degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, Type 1 diabetes and Alzheimer’s or as a method to regenerate organs, Maienschein said there is a lot of work ahead by scientist to turn those possibilities into probabilities.
“If we are really honest about what scientists can and cannot do or cannot do very quickly, we would be better off,” Maienschein said.