The University of Southampton

Category: Assessed item 2

The Stem Cell Odyssey

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Cell-ebrities of Regeneration: The Stem Cell Odyssey

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Insights from a Lab Visit

Whilst visiting the labs of PhD students, I learned about the endless possibilities of stem cell engineering and was excited by the prospect that if any of my own cells ever faltered, there was potential of replacing them. Also, I was particularly captivated by a PhD student (Aya Ben Issa’s) and her research investigating how suspending cancer stem cells in hydrogels of different elasticity’s affects their proliferation. Recognising that this research could be instrumental in targeting cancer tumour progression, I felt inclined to research stem cells further.

Ethical Reflections on Stem Cell Utilization

Initially my attention was drawn to the ethical considerations surrounding their usage, and the contentious nature of “embryonic stem cells” in particular. A popular argument is that obtaining these cells involves “murder”. This disheartened me and as a catholic I felt obligated to investigate if this process contradicted my religious responsibilities. I was reminded of Isaiah 49:1; “Before I was born the Lord called me” showing the value of life prior to even being formed. Ethical concerns even burdened powerful people such as George W. Bush, hence he reduced stem cell funding. However, my own ethical conundrum was quickly squashed when learning about Shinya Yamanaka in a lecture. He minimised the need for embryonic stem cells by discovering that in mice, activating genes such as Oct4 and Sox2 allowed the skin cells to transform into pluripotent stem cells. These could differentiate into an extensive array of other cell types without harming embryos.

Click to Watch a Video On the Science of Stem cells

The Futures Coming…For Better or For Worse?

Future technological advances such as CRISPR gene editing technology also interest me. Precise modifications can be made to the stem cell genome to enhance their regenerative potential and by altering defective genes, the stem-cells can directly replace the faulty cells. This tailor-made approach is more personalised than giving a patient generic medication and hence may yield more effective results and reduce rejection in patients. $1.58 billion was spent on stem cell research in America in 2017 and having personalised treatment would cause further financial strain. I fear this could result in a system where the rich live longer than the poor. Despite this potential injustice, I am in support of the extra funding and take a consequentialist approach as the significant number of people this could help (such as The Berlin Patient) outweighs the ethical dilemmas.

The Berlin Patient

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Known as The Berlin patient, Timothy Ray-Brown was diagnosed with acute-myeloid-leukaemia and HIV. He received HIV resistant stem cells (Attributed to CCR5-Delta-32 mutation) that cured both his Leukaemia and HIV. Reading about this confirmed my opinion that extensive funding for stem cell research is imperative for the future.

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The Legality of Stem Cell Use

The use of embryonic stem cells is legal in the UK, dictated by acts such as the “Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations” (2001). Only absolutely necessary research was permitted yet who dictates what’s necessary? Politicians? Scientists? Religious Zealots? I believe in Cleisthenes (referred to as the founder of democracy) and his approach where the majority opinion is implemented. In society, law often shapes social acceptance, yet my belief is that complying with legal standards doesn’t automatically guarantee that you are acting with moral integrity.

To Conclude…

Overall, despite my ethical concerns, I remain convinced that stem cells are warranted in our society and the excitement within the scientific community has grown my interest. I have been amazed by their potential, highlighted in my video below:

Ethical Crossroads: Navigating the Use of Ambiguously Sourced Research

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Haber-Bosch Process

The initial idea for this blog post came from a YouTube video by Veritasium, choosing this topic will help me with my critical thinking skills regarding ethical dilemmas.

Reflecting on the role of nitrogen-based synthetic fertilizers, their global significance becomes strikingly clear. Both the UK, where I currently live, and Trinidad & Tobago, my family’s homeland, depend on these fertilizers, each using over 100kg per year.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Chemical-structure-of-chlorophyll-a-one-of-the-main-unsaturated-molecules-in-crude-rice_fig3_266858130

The reason lies in the critical role of nitrogen, the most abundant element in our atmosphere, making up 78% of it. Nitrogen is pivotal in chlorophyll structure, as well as being part of nucleic acid. Yet, until the 20th century, the lack of a practical means to access atmospheric nitrogen for fertilizers meant we had to rely on expensive and unsustainable practices such as the cyanamide process and harvesting bird guano.

The ripple effect of the Haber-Bosch process on human population is profound. It significantly bolstered global food supply by making more nitrogen accessible for plants, Increasing population from 1.6 billion in 1900 to over 7.8 billion today. It’s staggering that nearly half of us owe our existence to this innovation. Bosch was rightly honored with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1918.

(https://ourworldindata.org/how-many-people-does-synthetic-fertilizer-feed/)

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p04f77rg)

Chemical Warfare

But there’s a darker side to this tale. Haber, the lifesaver, also weaponised his knowledge, causing millions of deaths. A staunch advocate of World War I, he endorsed the “Manifesto of the Ninety-Three”, aligning himself with Germany’s war efforts. Not only did he pioneer the development of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, but he also supervised its first deployment at the Second Battle of Ypres. He defended his actions, stating,

“The disapproval that the knight had for the man with the firearm is repeated in the soldier who shoots with steel bullets towards the man who confronts him with chemical weapons.”

Fritz Haber, Die Chemie im Kriege fßnf Vorträge (1920-1923)

After the Nazis rose to power, Haber (From Jewish heritage) was forced to step down. His institution tragically contributed to the holocaust by creating Zyklon B, the lethal gas that ended 1.1 million Jewish lives.

(https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Between_Genius_And_Genocide/HQSNxQj3zg0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT1&printsec=frontcover)

(https://engines.egr.uh.edu/episode/2287)

Reflection & analysis

Reflecting on Haber’s paradoxical legacy stirs complex ethical questions, to answer these, I took a retrospective look from multiple viewpoints to draw my own conclusion. From a Deontological standpoint, his role in developing fertilizers seems like a commitment to human welfare, yet his involvement in chemical warfare contradicts this. A Consequentialist compares the pros and cons – his fertilizers sustain billions of lives but cause ecological harm due to nitrogen excess, not forgetting the suffering from his chemical weapons & support of the War. A Subjectivist might delve into Haber’s intentions, asking whether he genuinely believed that his weapons could end the war and save German lives.

Taking these reflections further, my personal engagement with the ethics lectures & various sources that scrutinize Haber’s legacy have led me to a mostly deontological viewpoint – Doing a greater good does not excuse unethical practices, therefore we should aim to do the clear moral rights. I’ve found the Haber dilemma to be representative of the wider scientific landscape, where innovations like fertilizers & AI, though beneficial, can have unintended, often detrimental, consequences. His legacy is a testament to the duality of scientific discoveries and reinforces my commitment to tread the path of scientific discovery with due diligence and caution.