Prop 71: Stem Cell Hype and Hope

Richard Deem,Scientists Against Proposition 71 (www.NoOn71.us)

Stem Cell – Definition

A cell that has the ability to continuously divide and differentiate (develop) into various other kind(s) of cells/tissues

Kinds of Stem CellsStem cell

type Description Examples

Pluripotent Cells can form any (over 200) cell types

Some cells of blastocyst (5 to 14 days)

MultipotentCells differentiated, but can form a number of other tissues

Fetal tissue, cord blood, and adult stem cells

Pluripotent

Multipotent

Derivation and Use of Embryonic Stem Cell Lines

Isolate inner cell mass(destroys embryo)

Heart muscleKidney

Liver

“Special sauce”(largely unknown)

Outer cells(forms placenta)

Heartrepaired

Culture cells

Fertilized egg

2-cell embryo

Multi-cell embryoDay 5-6

Blastocyst

Inner cells(forms fetus)

1996 – Dolly, the sheep cloned

History of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (Cloning)

1998 – Mice cloned 1998 – Cows cloned 2000 – Pigs cloned 2001 – Cat cloned 2002 – Rabbits cloned 2003 – Mule cloned 2004 – Bull serial-cloned

“CC” Carbon Copy

Human Embryo Cloning 2001 – First cloned human

embryos (only to six cell stage) created by Advanced Cell Technology (USA)

2004* – First human cloned blastocyst created and a cell line established (Korea)

*Hwang, W.S., et al. 2004. Evidence of a Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line Derived from a Cloned Blastocyst. Science 303: 1669-1674.

Neural

Retinal

Bone

Cartilage

Epithelial

Cloned Embryonic Stem Cells – Advantages/Problems

Advantages No rejection, “Perfect match”

Problems Extremely expensive (>$200,000/patient) Only 0.6% (1 out of 176) oocytes

survived to become a cell line (required 16 egg donors to produce one cell line)

“Further improvements in SCNT protocols and in vitro culture systems are needed before contemplating the use of this technique for cell therapy.”

Cloning damages DNA (virtually all cloned mammals suffer genetic damage)

What’s Wrong With Prop 71? Fiscal problems Political appointments Informed consent modifications Provision for backroom meetings Exploitation of women for eggs Limits funding to ESC and cloning Deceptive claims Deceptive list of potentially curable

diseases

Prop 71 Adds $6 Billion to the California Deficit

Research30%

Facilities5%

Interest50%

Indirect12.5%

Administrative3%

Prop 71 $3 Billion Bonds

25% of bond costs will be spent on indirect costs (goes to institution)

For a $4 million grant, company or institution gets $1 million

Research59%

Administrative6%Facilities

10% Indirect25%

Indirect25%

Prop 71 $3 Billion Bonds

10% of bond costs will be spent on real estate and facilities construction

This is pure pork barrel politics, since investigators already have labs

Research59%

Administrative6%Facilities

10% Indirect25%

Who Supports and Funds Prop 71?Name InterestRobert Klein Real Estate Development

Joseph Lacob Venture Capital (Biotech)

John Doerr Venture Capital (Biotech)

Brook Byers Venture Capital (Biotech)

William Unger Venture Capital (Biotech)

George Rathmann, William Rutter, James Rooney

Biotech Company executives

Institute Run by Political Appointments

Citizen's Oversight Committee appointed by state politicians: Governor, Lieutenant Governor Treasurer, Controller Speaker of the Assembly President Pro Tem of the Senate.

Consists of UC bureaucrats, members of disease advocacy groups

Prop 71 Will Change Informed Consent Procedures

Studies involving human subjects must inform patients about medical procedures to prevent abuse of patient rights

Proposition 71 initially requires grant recipients to comply with federal regulations

However, the proposition allows for “modifications to adapt to the mission and objectives of the Institute.” (ARTICLE 1. 125281.06 (1))

Prop 71 Exempts Institute From “Open Meeting" Laws

Closed meetings to hand out patents and profits

125281.05 (d) Public Meeting Laws(3) …In addition, the ICOC may conduct closed sessions when it meets to consider or discuss:(B) Matters involving confidential intellectual property or work product, whether patentable or not, including, but not limited to, any formula, plan, pattern, process, tool, mechanism, compound, procedure, production data, or compilation of information…

Prop 71 Will Exploit Poor Women for Their Eggs

Thousands of egg donors will be required to produce the eggs required for human cloning.

Poor women and college students will likely donate eggs to earn quick cash.

However, the procedure to obtain these eggs uses powerful, dangerous drugs that have already resulted in the deaths and hospitalization of hundreds of women.

Prop 71 Research Limited to Human Embryo Cloning and Destruction

According to the legal text:“In this regard, other research categories funded by the National Institute of Health shall not be funded by the Institute.”

Funding of research that does not destroy human embryos must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Scientific and Medical Research Funding Working Group

Why Do They Hide the Real Nature of Research Funded?

Words Used Real Meaning

pluripotent stem cells stem cells grown by destroying human embryos

products of in vitro fertilization treatments human embryos

somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning human embryos

Prop 71 Deceptive Claims Royalties to the state Sales tax will cover bond interest Stem cell research is banned Cures require use of embryonic

cell lines 400,000 embryos will be discarded

anyway

Prop 71 will Provide Patent and Royalty Revenues to the State?

Proposition 71 does not require that one single penny of the patent and royalty revenues that might result from future research be returned to California taxpayers.

The “Institute” established by Proposition 71 may, at its discretion, have taxpayers pay 100% of the costs, and award venture capitalists with 100% of the profits.

Sales Tax Generated by Prop 71 Will to Cover Bond Interest?

“The supporters’ own economic study shows that in the following nine years, when annual debt service on the bonds soars to more than $170 million, the putative tax gains will cover only 11% to 19% of that sum.”

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8/23/04

Prop 71 Claim: Human Stem Cell Research is Banned

“Some of the most pioneering cures and treatments are right at our fingertips, but because of the stem cell ban, they remain beyond our reach.” John Kerry

False Human embryonic stem cell research for

any purpose is allowed using private funds

Embryonic stem cell research is funded by the NIH for 22 available human lines created before 8/9/01

Prop 71 Claim: Only Embryonic Cells Are Pluripotent

Cells from the umbilical cords of newborns are pluripotent

Researchers have shown the ability of these cells to grow bone, cartilage, hematopoietic (blood), neural (brain, spinal cord, nerves), liver and heart tissue.

Reference:

Kögler, G. et al. 2004. A New Human Somatic Stem Cell from Placental Cord Blood with Intrinsic Pluripotent Differentiation Potential. Journal of Experimental Medicine 200: 123-135.

400,000 Embryos are Going to Be Discarded Anyway

88.2% are being held for family building (i.e., babies)

2.2% are slated to be discarded 2.8% are designated for research Of these 11,000 embryos,

optimistically, only 275 cell lines would be expected to established

Prop 71: Diseases Claimed to be Treatable by ESC

Disease SC Treatable?Cystic Fibrosis Yes?Spinal cord injury Yes?Alzheimer’s disease NoType I diabetes, type II diabetes Yes?Multiple sclerosis Yes?Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Yes?Heart disease Yes?Cancer NoParkinson’s disease Yes?Mental health diseases ?HIV/AIDS No

Prop 71: Adult Stem Cells in Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis

Successes have occurred using adult stem cells (not funded by this proposition) to generate new lung cells

Human cloning would be ineffective for this genetic disease.

Reference:

H. Spencer and A. Jaffe. 2004. The potential for stem cell therapy in cystic fibrosis. J. R. Soc. Med. 97 (Suppl. 44):52–56.

Prop 71: Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries

Both embryonic and adult stem cells (bone marrow, skin, and umbilical cord derived) have shown promise in treatment of spinal cord injuries.

References:

Oliver Brüstle, et. al. 1999. Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Glial Precursors: A Source of Myelinating Transplants. Science 285: 754-756.

Ankeny DP, McTigue DM, Jakeman LB. 2004. Bone marrow transplants provide tissue protection and directional guidance for axons after contusive spinal cord injury in rats. Exp. Neurol. 190:17-31.

Li HJ, et. al. 2004. Transplantation of human umbilical cord stem cells improves neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury in rats. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 26:38-42.

Prop 71: Embryonic Stem Cells as a Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease?

“I think the chance of doing repairs to Alzheimer's brains by putting in stem cells is small.”Michael Shelanski, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (Columbia University Medical Center)

“To start with, people need a fairy tale.” Ronald D.G. McKay, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Reference:

Rick Weiss. Stem Cells An Unlikely Therapy for Alzheimer's. Washington Post Thursday, June 10, 2004; Page A03

Prop 71: Embryonic Stem Cells as Treatment for Diabetes?

Proponents cite studies in which cultured mouse embryonic stem cells produced insulin

However, these cells were not beta cells (of neurological derivation) and insulin secretion was very low and not glucose dependent

Reference:S. Sipione et al. 2004. Insulin expressing cells from differentiated embryonic stem cells are not beta cells. Diabetologia 47: 499-508.

Pancreas

Prop 71: Adult Stem Cells in Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Adult stem cells (bone marrow or endogenous neural stem cells), but not embryonic stem cells have been used in numerous studies (including some preliminary clinical trials) to treat multiple sclerosis.

References:Fassas A, Kimiskidis VK. 2004. Autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: rationale and clinical experience. J. Neurol. Sci. 15:53-58.Muraro PA, Cassiani Ingoni R, Martin R. 2003. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: current status and future challenges. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 16:299-305.

Prop 71: Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mouse model showed that cord blood stem cells are beneficial in reversing spinal cord injury, even when infused 5 days after injury.

A 2004 review of scientific literature indicated that adult stem cell treatments showed promise for treatment of ALS.References:

Garbuzova-Davis, Svitlana, et al. 2003. Intravenous Administration of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Distribution, Migration, and Differentiation. Journal of Hematotherapy and Stem Cell Research 12: 255–270.Silani V, Cova L, Corbo M, Ciammola A, Polli E. 2004. Stem-cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet 364:200-2.

Both Adult and Embryonic Stem Cells Treat Myocardial Infarction

Rat embryonic stem cells were used in rat model of myocardial infarction to improve ventricular function and repair damaged heart tissue

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) when introduced into the infarcted heart, prevented deleterious remodeling and improved recoveryReferences:

Hodgson DM, et. al. 2004. Stable benefit of embryonic stem cell therapy in myocardial infarction. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 287:H471-H479.Pittenger MF, Martin BJ. 2004. Mesenchymal stem cells and their potential as cardiac therapeutics. Circ. Res. 95:9-20.

Prop 71: Treatment of Cancer?

Cancer is caused by cells of the body multiplying uncontrollably due to genetic mutation or viral infection, in some cases.

Stem cells would not be useful in therapy. This wide spectrum of diseases was added simply because there are a lot of people who have been affected who might vote for the initiative.

Prop 71: Embryonic Stem Cells as Treatment for Parkinson’s?

Only 50% of rats experienced improvement of symptoms

25% of rats developed brain tumors and died

Who wants to signup for the first clinical trial?

Reference:Bjorklund, L. M., R. Sanchez-Pernaute, et al. 2002. Embryonic stem cells develop into functional dopaminergic neurons after transplantation in a Parkinson rat model. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 99: 2344-2349.

Prop 71: Treatment of Mental Health Diseases?

Since the cause of most mental health diseases is unknown, it is not known whether stem cells could be useful in therapy.

However, since many people suffer from these diseases, it was added to garner additional support for the proposition.

Prop 71: Embryonic Stem Cells as a Cure for HIV/AIDS?

AIDS is caused by an infectious virus (HIV) that attacks the immune system

Stem cell treatments could improve the function of the immune system, but the effect would be temporary until the new stem cells became infected themselves

Adult (not embryonic) stem cells would be the preferred treatment

Adult Stem Cell Success:New Jaw Bone

Man’s jaw bone was removed due to cancer

Replacement jaw bone was grown for 7 weeks in his back muscles using his own adult stem cells enclosed in a titanium frame with cow-derived bone mineral blocks and human bone growth factor

Reference:

Rookmaaker MB, Verhaar MC, Van Zonneveld AJ, Rabelink TJ. 2004. Progenitor cells in the kidney: Biology and therapeutic perspectives. Kidney Int. 66:518-22.

Adult Stem Cell Successes

Liver Stroke Kidney

Hearing Cornea Teeth

Summary of Advantages/Disadvantages

Stem Cell CostTissue rejection

Ethical Problems

Works for genetic diseases

Human Embryos

Low(?)(IVF leftovers)

YesUnique human embryos

Yes

Human Clones High None

Cloned human embryos

No

AdultAutologous Low None None No

AdultDonated Low Yes None Yes

Embryonic Stem Cell Problems: Genetic Abnormalities

Abnormalities in chromosome number and structure in three human ESC lines.

“…increasing evidence from a range of mammals shows a propensity for epigenetic errors with embryo technologies.”

References

1. Draper, J.S., et al., "Recurrent gain of chromosomes 17q and 12 in cultured human embryonic stem cells," Nature Biotechnology December 7, 2003.

2. Allegrucci C, Denning C, Priddle H, Young L. 2004. Stem-cell consequences of embryo epigenetic defects. Lancet 10;364(9429):206-8.

Embryonic Stem Cell Problems: Cancer and Tumors

Rapid growth of embryonic stem cells brings the potential of introducing cancer into patients.

An embryonic stem cell therapy stroke model in mice found that treated mice developed highly malignant teratocarcinomas at the site of implantation, even when pre-differentiated into neural cells.Reference:

Erdo F, Trapp T, Buhrle C, Fleischmann B, Hossmann KA. 2004. Embryonic stem cell therapy in experimental stroke: host-dependent malignant transformation. Orv. Hetil. 145:1307-1313.

Embryonic Stem Cell Problems: Tissue Rejection

Possibility of rejection of stem cell transplants as foreign tissues is very high.

Hundreds of thousands to millions of stem cell lines would be required to serve the majority of patients

What’s Wrong With Adult Stem Cells?

Can’t be patented, since they are derived from the patient

Can’t be marketed and sold at inflated prices due to inability to patent

Is the Embryo Human Life?

Brownback: "What would have happened had we experimented on you at the blastocyst stage?"Zoloth: "Well, that's an obvious question, If I was... It's an odd theoretical one. If I could somehow be . . ."Brownback: "It's not a theoretical, I'm just asking biologically."Zoloth: "If I could have been taken out of my mother's womb, which is different from our situation..."Brownback: "What if it happened to you?"Zoloth: "Then I wouldn't . . . I wouldn't have existed."

Laurie Zoloth, Northwestern University:

Testimony before the US Senate 9/29/2004