Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5
High-risk, high-value:
embryonic stem cells
Abstract.
This chapter outlines the ethical and regulatory landscape
shaping the commercial development of human embryonic stem cells.
It also includes some background discussion of the intellectual
lineages behind the derivation of human embryonic stem cells. The
debate over funding and patenting in the US and EU is considered
here for their bearing on the prospects of future development of the
stem cell sciences. Finally, the three currently approved FDA clinical
trials are examined.
Keywords:
human embryonic stem cells, funding, patenting, Geron,
Advanced Cell Technology
The most high-profile stem cell technologies are those based on
human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The isolation of stem cells
from human embryos for the first time in 1998 saw commercial,
clinical and community interest in the possibilities of hESC-derived
applications reach fever pitch. The years immediately following this
discovery saw significant community debate globally around the
ethical questions raised by hESC research, often confusing stem cell
science with human reproductive cloning. These debates also raised
expectations that radically new treatments were just around the
corner. However, the reality is that human embryonic stem cell
science has not lived up to these expectations - yet. There are
