Dr Peter Hollands continues his series on Stem Cell discussion. His popular articles have done a great deal to inform and educate the public on the important and emerging science of stem cell research. What may be confusing sometimes in this area has been explained simply free of scientific jargon by Peter.
In this month’s article Dr Hollands explores recent developments and also discusses potential harm that has recently been documented.
In early March 2009 there was an announcement that embryonic type stem cells have at last been ‘safely’ created from adult cells. The story reported the introduction of embryonic stem cell genes into adult skin cells and the subsequent ‘safe’ removal of these genes after the creation of the required tissue types. This story was hailed as the first true evidence that we do not need embryonic stem cells and as such is to be welcomed. However, I still have some concerns about the safety of introducing and removing embryonic stem cell genes into adult cells and then proposing to transplant them into patients. In this context I believe that adult stem cell technology should still be our priority if we wish to develop truly useful and safe treatments using stem cells.
In the UK the Department of Health published their initial findings (the so called Technopolis report) on cord blood banking in the UK compared to the rest of the World. The idea was to assess cord blood banking and technology in the UK to develop a coherent and clinically useful service. This report was followed by an All Parliamentary Group meeting in the House of Commons chaired by David Burrows MP on cord blood and adult stem cells which I attended (along with all the major players in the UK cord blood industry) where the report was generally accepted and welcomed. The Technopolis report recommended that the UK should develop a national policy on cord blood stem cell technology including guidelines on collection and storage, to justify the health economics of adult stem cell technology (i.e. cost versus benefit), to commission research and marketing in adult stem cell technology and also to consider public perceptions and understanding on stem cell technology in general. This is potentially a big break through for those working in adult stem cell technology in the UK as we at last have the attention of government and can begin a sensible, rational debate on stem cell technology. I believe that progress such as these new discussions in the UK will be the beginning of the end for embryonic stem cell technology.
On a more personal note I am very proud to be involved with a brand new state of the art cord blood processing and storage laboratory which became operational in March 2009. The laboratory has been developed by Smart Cells International which is the leading cord blood bank in the UK. The new laboratory is situated not far from Heathrow Airport in London, UK and as such is perfectly placed to receive cord blood collections from around the World. It operates to the very highest standards using the very latest cord blood processing technology and has a license from the Human Tissue Authority which is the regulatory body in the UK. The creation of this laboratory is a significant advance in adult stem cell technology provision within the UK and the regions it serves such as the rest of Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Such developments can only emphasise the importance of cord blood stem cell technology and highlight the increasingly futile efforts of embryonic stem cell workers.
Finally I was very sad to read the story of the boy who developed benign tumours following stem cell therapy using human fetal cells. The use of human fetal stem cells not only carries the obvious ethical, moral and religious objections but there are now proven safety issues for the recipient patient. There is an acknowledged risk of tumour formation when using embryonic stem cells and this risk seems to now be also present when using fetal stem cells. Such reports only emphasise the need for the use of safe adult stem cell technology. The steady recognition of adult stem cell technology by governments and funding bodies and the creation of new facilities such as the Smart Cells laboratory only helps to emphasise that adult stem cell technology should be the future focus of our funding and expertise to ensure that those patients awaiting stem cell therapy receive prompt and safe treatment.
About the author
Peter Hollands - Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science University of WestminsterDr Hollands is a member of the current All Party Parliamentary Group on cord blood and adult stem cell technology. Current projects include work with the University of York on the social and ethical aspects of cord blood banking.
