Human Embryo Research

1
Human Embryo Research

• James G. Anderson, Ph. D
• Purdue University.

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Treatment of Embryos

• Genetic Screening
• Research

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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.

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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

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Research

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

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Potential Therapeutic Uses

• Parkinsons Disease
• Huntingtons Disease
• Diabetes
• Spinal cord injuries
• Growth of new tissue/organs from stem cells

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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 will allow federal funding of
  research with embryonic stem cells

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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

10
Need Additional Review

• Cloning and use of oocytes without their transfer
  to the uterus for gestation

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Unacceptable Research

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

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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