Q&A with the stem cell case plaintiffs
Dr. James L. Sherley and Dr. Theresa Deisher share their thoughts about embryonic stem cell research and why they oppose President Obama's order to reinstate federal funding for eSC work
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—While Sherley v. Sebelius concerns the interpretation of law and competitive issues, the case has renewed the debate over the practice of stem cell research in the United States, a political and moral tug-of-war that has been waged for decades.
The debate centers on the creation of a human embryonic stem cell (eSC) line, which requires the destruction of a human embryo. Advocates of the pro-life movement are concerned with the rights and status of an embryo as an early-aged human life and equate eSC research with murder. Those opposing this view argue that these embryos are to be destroyed or stored for long periods of time past their viable storage life, and point out that stem cell research has the potential to dramatically alter approaches to understanding and treating diseases, and to alleviate suffering.
Science holds pros and cons for both sides of the moral debate. Adult stem cell research has achieved great levels of success and potential, but these stem cells are generally limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin. Although some researchers are of the opinion that the differentiation potential of eSCs is broader than most adult stem cells, they may be rejected by the immune system—a problem that would not occur if a patient received his or her own stem cells.
As the case continues to play out in court, media attention is turning to the lead plaintiffs in the case, Dr. James L. Sherley, a biological engineer at Boston Biomedical Research Institute, and Dr. Theresa Deisher, research and development director at AVM Biotechnology LLC in Seattle. Although the pair admit they did not know each other prior to the case unfolding—they were reportedly "recruited" by attorneys seeking to challenge President Obama's order—they both have certain beliefs about the ethics involved in eSC research, and strongly support a focus on adult stem cells.
Sherley, whose research focuses on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of adult stem cells, has long been vocal about his opposition to human eSC research. He has described the position that eSCs hold the promise to cure or treat debilitating diseases "misinformation," maintaining that adult stem cell research is "a viable and vibrant path to new medical therapies." Sherley also once made headlines for protesting a decision by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to deny him tenure by going on a 12-day hunger strike. Sherley, who is African-American, has also publicly said he believes that MIT did not give him the freedom to challenge scientific orthodoxy the way the institution would have for a white colleague.
Deisher, who works exclusively with adult stem cells, founded AVM Biotechnology "in response to growing concerns about the need for safe, effective, affordable and ethical medicines and therapeutic treatments," with help from private donors. According to the company's website, "The use of aborted fetal tissue and embryonic cells in the discovery, development and production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals … make it difficult for many physicians, pharmacists, scientists and healthcare professionals to navigate their fields of expertise without sacrificing their consciences."
As media scrutiny has intensified in the wake of the case, Sherley and Deisher have backed away from many interviews, but were gracious enough to take questions from ddn regarding their views about eSC research. Here are their responses:
ddn: What should the goal of stem cell research be?
The debate centers on the creation of a human embryonic stem cell (eSC) line, which requires the destruction of a human embryo. Advocates of the pro-life movement are concerned with the rights and status of an embryo as an early-aged human life and equate eSC research with murder. Those opposing this view argue that these embryos are to be destroyed or stored for long periods of time past their viable storage life, and point out that stem cell research has the potential to dramatically alter approaches to understanding and treating diseases, and to alleviate suffering.
Science holds pros and cons for both sides of the moral debate. Adult stem cell research has achieved great levels of success and potential, but these stem cells are generally limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin. Although some researchers are of the opinion that the differentiation potential of eSCs is broader than most adult stem cells, they may be rejected by the immune system—a problem that would not occur if a patient received his or her own stem cells.
As the case continues to play out in court, media attention is turning to the lead plaintiffs in the case, Dr. James L. Sherley, a biological engineer at Boston Biomedical Research Institute, and Dr. Theresa Deisher, research and development director at AVM Biotechnology LLC in Seattle. Although the pair admit they did not know each other prior to the case unfolding—they were reportedly "recruited" by attorneys seeking to challenge President Obama's order—they both have certain beliefs about the ethics involved in eSC research, and strongly support a focus on adult stem cells.
Sherley, whose research focuses on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of adult stem cells, has long been vocal about his opposition to human eSC research. He has described the position that eSCs hold the promise to cure or treat debilitating diseases "misinformation," maintaining that adult stem cell research is "a viable and vibrant path to new medical therapies." Sherley also once made headlines for protesting a decision by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to deny him tenure by going on a 12-day hunger strike. Sherley, who is African-American, has also publicly said he believes that MIT did not give him the freedom to challenge scientific orthodoxy the way the institution would have for a white colleague.
Deisher, who works exclusively with adult stem cells, founded AVM Biotechnology "in response to growing concerns about the need for safe, effective, affordable and ethical medicines and therapeutic treatments," with help from private donors. According to the company's website, "The use of aborted fetal tissue and embryonic cells in the discovery, development and production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals … make it difficult for many physicians, pharmacists, scientists and healthcare professionals to navigate their fields of expertise without sacrificing their consciences."
As media scrutiny has intensified in the wake of the case, Sherley and Deisher have backed away from many interviews, but were gracious enough to take questions from ddn regarding their views about eSC research. Here are their responses:
ddn: What should the goal of stem cell research be?
Sherley: Like other NIH-funded research, the goal should be to increase our scientific knowledge about the natural world through the conduct of ethical scientific research towards the goal of improving human health.
Deisher: The goal should be to develop safe, effective and affordable therapies for human disease, adhering to the highest scientific ethical standards.
ddn: Are you against embryonic stem cell research as a practice, or the federal funding of it, or both? Why?
Deisher: The goal should be to develop safe, effective and affordable therapies for human disease, adhering to the highest scientific ethical standards.
ddn: Are you against embryonic stem cell research as a practice, or the federal funding of it, or both? Why?
Sherley: Specifically, I wish to educate and alert the public that, first and foremost, human embryonic stem cell research is unethical according to pre-existing NIH guidelines for human subjects research; that its funding by NIH is illegal according to U.S. law as articulated by the Dickey-Wicker amendment; and that it continues to be misrepresented by many of its proponents who misstate its potential for providing medical advances and present it as if there were no alternatives, when if fact both adult stem cell research and traditional disease research are not only effective alternatives, but better ones in many respects.
Deisher: Human embryonic stem cell research does not meet the high ethical standards test. A human being is necessarily destroyed in the process of obtaining human embryonic stem cells, which is not an acceptable outcome according to U.S. human subjects guidelines. Additionally, the research is not necessary, another requirement of our human subjects guidelines, as superior alternatives are available using adult stem cells. According to human subjects research guidelines, even if parents give consent, research cannot be done if it is not necessary. Human subjects guidelines should be applied to all research, regardless of funding source, and should be applied to regulate research on human embryos.
ddn: What are viable alternatives to embryonic stem cells? How soon will they bring about therapies? What is their commercial potential?
Sherley: The viable alternatives are both adult stem cell research and traditional disease research. In particular, adult stem cell research addresses the development of new therapies based on repairing tissues or replacing tissues with regenerative cells. Such therapies based on adult stem cells are already a part of standard clinical practice. Bone marrow reconstitution with blood stem cells is one of the best known examples, but there is a large body of clinical research underway both to make blood stem cell treatments even more effective and to develop new therapies based on other types of adult stem cells. This clinical research includes commercial development of therapies for diseases like diabetes based on developing adult stem cells that renew the cells that make insulin. It is important that the public understands that proposed treatments based on human embryonic stem cells invariably require that they be converted into either adult cells or adult stem cells, which are ultimately required for any therapy that will repair, replace, or treat tissues in children and adults. When the public knows this, it then becomes imperative for it to ask proponents of human embryonic stem cell research, "What is your motivation?"
Deisher: Adult stem cell therapies are in late-stage clinical trials, having advanced extremely rapidly since their discovery in the late 1990s, entering clinical trials by 2002. Prior to the late 1990s, scientific dogma held that adult stem cells did not exist outside of the blood system. These novel discoveries have brought promise to many patients suffering from grievous illness; unfortunately, the United States lags behind the rest of the first world in advancing these therapies because our academic scientists and elected officials have preferentially advanced human embryonic stem cell research, which is currently helping no one. Other alternatives include therapies that block tissue destructive pathways. For instance, Enbrel is a drug for rheumatoid arthritis that blocks the joint destroying action of a molecule called TNF. Once the destructive pathway is blocked, naturally present regenerative processes are able to replace the damaged joints.
ddn: Describe some of your current work in this area.
Sherley: My laboratory's research is focused on developing methods for production of adult stem cells, discovering biomarkers that can be used to quantify adult stem cells, and elucidating cellular mechanisms that are important for adult stem cell function, health and longevity.
Deisher: My research focuses on the efficient delivery and retention of stem cells in diseased organs.
ddn: What should the government's role be in stem cell research being done in the United States?
Sherley: Through its agent the NIH, its role should be the same as for other areas of research: Adhering to U.S. law, foster and fund ethical, high-quality research that has potential to positively impact human health.
Deisher: (References the NIH's mission statement, which states, "NIH's mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are: To foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis for ultimately protecting and improving health; To develop, maintain and renew scientific human and physical resources that will ensure the nation's capability to prevent disease; To expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and to exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability and social responsibility in the conduct of science.")
Highlighted in red are NIH mandates that are not met by NIH funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The government's role should be to actively promote research and clinical trials in areas that would not be adequately advanced by private industry. Adult stem cells from a patient's own blood, bone marrow or other organs are not patentable, and therefore, absolutely require federal funding to bring these remarkable treatments to U.S. citizens. As taxpayer funds are used by the government for these purposes, one would hope that affordability would also be an important criterion for federal funding of clinical trials. Adult stem cell therapies are affordable, and will cost on average about $25,000, while embryonic stem cell therapies, if ever available, will be expensive and beyond the means of almost all U.S. taxpayers. Geron Corp. issued public statements in January 2009 estimating the cost of human embryonic stem cell-based therapies for spinal cord injury to be just under $500,000. Geron received significant NIH funding for this work.
ddn: How does the 2009 executive order from President Obama impact your access to research funds?
Deisher: Human embryonic stem cell research does not meet the high ethical standards test. A human being is necessarily destroyed in the process of obtaining human embryonic stem cells, which is not an acceptable outcome according to U.S. human subjects guidelines. Additionally, the research is not necessary, another requirement of our human subjects guidelines, as superior alternatives are available using adult stem cells. According to human subjects research guidelines, even if parents give consent, research cannot be done if it is not necessary. Human subjects guidelines should be applied to all research, regardless of funding source, and should be applied to regulate research on human embryos.
ddn: What are viable alternatives to embryonic stem cells? How soon will they bring about therapies? What is their commercial potential?
Sherley: The viable alternatives are both adult stem cell research and traditional disease research. In particular, adult stem cell research addresses the development of new therapies based on repairing tissues or replacing tissues with regenerative cells. Such therapies based on adult stem cells are already a part of standard clinical practice. Bone marrow reconstitution with blood stem cells is one of the best known examples, but there is a large body of clinical research underway both to make blood stem cell treatments even more effective and to develop new therapies based on other types of adult stem cells. This clinical research includes commercial development of therapies for diseases like diabetes based on developing adult stem cells that renew the cells that make insulin. It is important that the public understands that proposed treatments based on human embryonic stem cells invariably require that they be converted into either adult cells or adult stem cells, which are ultimately required for any therapy that will repair, replace, or treat tissues in children and adults. When the public knows this, it then becomes imperative for it to ask proponents of human embryonic stem cell research, "What is your motivation?"
Deisher: Adult stem cell therapies are in late-stage clinical trials, having advanced extremely rapidly since their discovery in the late 1990s, entering clinical trials by 2002. Prior to the late 1990s, scientific dogma held that adult stem cells did not exist outside of the blood system. These novel discoveries have brought promise to many patients suffering from grievous illness; unfortunately, the United States lags behind the rest of the first world in advancing these therapies because our academic scientists and elected officials have preferentially advanced human embryonic stem cell research, which is currently helping no one. Other alternatives include therapies that block tissue destructive pathways. For instance, Enbrel is a drug for rheumatoid arthritis that blocks the joint destroying action of a molecule called TNF. Once the destructive pathway is blocked, naturally present regenerative processes are able to replace the damaged joints.
ddn: Describe some of your current work in this area.
Sherley: My laboratory's research is focused on developing methods for production of adult stem cells, discovering biomarkers that can be used to quantify adult stem cells, and elucidating cellular mechanisms that are important for adult stem cell function, health and longevity.
Deisher: My research focuses on the efficient delivery and retention of stem cells in diseased organs.
ddn: What should the government's role be in stem cell research being done in the United States?
Sherley: Through its agent the NIH, its role should be the same as for other areas of research: Adhering to U.S. law, foster and fund ethical, high-quality research that has potential to positively impact human health.
Deisher: (References the NIH's mission statement, which states, "NIH's mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are: To foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis for ultimately protecting and improving health; To develop, maintain and renew scientific human and physical resources that will ensure the nation's capability to prevent disease; To expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and to exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability and social responsibility in the conduct of science.")
Highlighted in red are NIH mandates that are not met by NIH funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The government's role should be to actively promote research and clinical trials in areas that would not be adequately advanced by private industry. Adult stem cells from a patient's own blood, bone marrow or other organs are not patentable, and therefore, absolutely require federal funding to bring these remarkable treatments to U.S. citizens. As taxpayer funds are used by the government for these purposes, one would hope that affordability would also be an important criterion for federal funding of clinical trials. Adult stem cell therapies are affordable, and will cost on average about $25,000, while embryonic stem cell therapies, if ever available, will be expensive and beyond the means of almost all U.S. taxpayers. Geron Corp. issued public statements in January 2009 estimating the cost of human embryonic stem cell-based therapies for spinal cord injury to be just under $500,000. Geron received significant NIH funding for this work.
ddn: How does the 2009 executive order from President Obama impact your access to research funds?
Sherley: Because the president's order led to NIH instituting the illegal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, it injures all U.S. scientists working in other fields who compete for the same limited NIH resources. However, the greater injury is sustained by scientists whose research focuses on the recognized alternative to human embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, because of the juxtaposition of all stem cell research applications in the NIH review process. At each phase of the NIH review process, bias and contempt, inspired by an illegal implementation of the president's order, can occur against their research applications, even though they may be of the highest quality.
Deisher: The executive order initiated a process where preference in NIH requests for grant proposals and ultimate grant funding is now directed towards embryonic stem cell research. The 2009 executive order amplified congressional obsession with funding embryonic stem cell research, apparent since 2006. Every adult stem cell scientist and clinician is injured by the preferential emphasis and funding of embryonic stem cell research. Most egregiously, U.S. citizens are being denied adult stem cell therapies that are in development in Europe and other countries for heart attack, blindness, paralysis, stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other grievous human illness.
ddn: What can Americans do to get past the moral arguments in favor of or against embryonic stem cell research, in order to make sure that we are still working toward finding cures for devastating diseases and conditions?
Sherley: Americans would have no dilemma to ponder, if they were better informed that human embryonic stem cells have very little potential to lead to cures for devastating diseases and conditions. The No. 1 sales pitch pushed for these cells, the "ability to make any cell in the body," is their fatal flaw for providing new medical therapies. For effective tissue and organ therapies, regenerative cells are needed that can continuously replace the mature cells found in just the sick or ailing tissue or organ. Human embryonic stem cells cannot do this. Adult stem cells can. Since human embryonic stem cells make other cells that are not needed, if they were used, they would give the patient another well-known, very difficult-to-treat disease.
Deisher: Science should never be above moral scrutiny and one only needs a brief history lesson to know this. On another note, I hear arguments regularly that we should not deter human embryonic stem cell research because of the moral objections of a minority. This is absurd, as our entire scientific research ethical oversight is predicated on respect for the moral objections of a minority in our country. Respect for animal rights and concern for ethical research conduct using animals in experiments regularly deters experiments that are scientifically and economically expedient. Respect for ethical concerns as they relate to human subjects research should receive no less deference. However, Americans do not need moral arguments to oppose embryonic stem cell research; embryonic stem cells are known to form tumors, they would require lifelong immune suppression that itself can cause hypertension, osteoporosis and other nasty side-effects, and human embryonic stem cell products would be too expensive for Americans to afford.
Editor's Note: Deisher, who has been especially vocal about her Catholic faith and how it informs her research, also agreed to take a few questions about the connection she sees between her beliefs and science. You can read that Q&A on our blog at http://ddnonline.wordpress.com/.
