One of the genetic topics I undertook to pursue and follow, on an erratic path to find ‘truth’ and story ideas, was that of stem cells. How controversial and mysterious they seemed! Well, I’ve just concluded a 2006 primer with the bloated title of The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, the Fiction, and the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political, and Religious Debate of Our Time. Written by researcher Michael Bellomo, this book has both helped and hindered my search.
Firstly, what seems clear to me is that much of the controversy is just fundamentalist christian silliness that argues against any use at all of embryonic stem cells, whereas the source for nearly all such cells is leftover in vitro embryos specifically discarded by parents and destined for incineration. As long as there is no criminal ‘embryo harvesting’ involved – and this is straightforward to legislate against – there seems to me to be only one reason to hold back research into the medical uses of stem cells, and that is a general fear of cloning. I’m also tracking that topic but will now stop reading about the political argy-bargy on stem cells.
Bellomo helped me clarify that point. He also helpfully distinguishes ‘totipotent’ stem cells (can differentiate into any type of body tissue but only last 3 or 4 days from conception), ‘pluripotent’ cells (the major focus of stem cell research because such cells can differentiate into the vast majority of cells and last much longer), ‘multipotent’ cells (limited, localized reach) and ‘unipotent’ cells (as the word says, one one cell can be generated). Bellomo covers adult stem cells – still useful but not nearly as promising as the embryonic variety. He relates the story of Hwang Woo Suk, the Korean miracle worker who turned out to be a fraudster (apparently well meaning – he was sentenced only a couple of weeks ago). Some of the exciting global stem cell research is related in breathless style.
But The Stem Cell Divide can’t be fully recommended. It is hastily organized and flits here and there, alternatively gushing optimism and then proclaiming controversiality. Bellomo provides no insight into research on why stem cells are as they are, nor is there a reasoned current status report.
Where am I at? Well, I’ve lost my default worry about new technology, the attitude I take to most fraught innovations. No major book plots occurred to me – far better to pursue the more traditional sci-fi cloning angle. I’ll keep an eye posted for major stem cell breakthroughs but until then will let the never-ending technical news on this science wash past me.