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What’s Inside Research Views The bioethics of regenerative medicine Harnessing the power of regenerative medicine Overcoming the hurdles Responding to the reader Cellular construction Staying alive Stroke: brain attack Research outside the lab The road to commercialization 2005-2006 Lionel McLeod Scholarship winner AHFMR announces $48 million for health research Reader Resources Research Views Regenerative medicine is an emerging scientific field geared toward offering new solutions to such age-old illnesses as Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The field spans many scientific disciplines, using a combination of stem-cell biology, gene therapy, and tissue-engineering. Although these new technologies may offer the potential to treat a number of chronic diseases, some elements of regenerative medicine are steeped in controversy. The bioethics of regenerative medicine University of Toronto bioethicist Dr. Abdallah Daar is involved in research ranging from bioindustry ethics to nutritional genomics, but he is particularly passionate about regenerative medicine. Realizing the full power of regenerative medicine and ensuring its ethical use is the daunting task Dr. Daar and his colleagues face. Many of the objections that have been raised about stem-cell research also affect regenerative medicine. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells in the human body that have the ability to become any type of specialized cell—bone, for example, or muscle, or cartilage. Because of this ability, stem cells have the potential to treat many diseases. Stem cells may even have the power to regenerate organs, thereby reducing the need for transplants and other serious surgeries. The early embryo is one source of stem cells, leading some to question the morality of using these cells for research; but Dr. Daar points out that stem cells can be harvested from a number of different sources. “The science is really progressing rapidly, and one day it may be possible to take specialized cells, such as skin cells, from the adult and reprogram them back to stem cells.” Harnessing the power of regenerative medicine Dr. Daar believes that one of the most valuable opportunities for regenerative medicine lies in developing nations. “We think of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer as so-called ‘Western diseases’, when this isn’t the case,” he explains. “Diabetes is increasing rapidly; 80% of global cardiovascular disease is arising from developing nations; and cancer rates are expected to increase dramatically. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are chronic diseases, which translates into the fact that they are expensive to treat. If you live in a developing nation that doesn’t have the resources to manage these diseases, it can be tantamount to a death sentence.” Regenerative medicine technologies may offer a viable, cost-effective solution for managing many of these diseases. Furthermore, the involvement of developing nations in the research and implementation of technologies may reduce their reliance on technology imports—while also creating jobs. Overcoming the hurdles One of the overarching themes at the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics is that its members do not study “bioethics as usual”—theoretical bioethics. “The goal of our organization is to get involved in the real world,” explains Dr. Daar. “We perform large-scale research projects and get involved with the policy-makers to make it likely that realistic policies are related to science and technology. Developing countries have great health needs, and we have an obligation to attempt to reduce global health inequities. Identifying potential scientific and technological approaches to improve health is one avenue for making a difference. Science and technology will not solve all problems—such as poor governance or corruption—but it is one way to channel the resources of the developing world.” Dr. Abdallah Daar is a professor in the departments of Public Health Sciences and Surgery at the University of Toronto. He is also the director of the Program in Applied Ethics and Biotechnology at the Joint Centre for Bioethics; the director of the Ethics and Policy Program at the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine; and a co-director of the Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health, all at the University of Toronto. Dr. Daar gave the lecture “Whither regenerative medicine?” as part of the University of Alberta Health Law Institute’s 2005-2006 seminar series. Back to Top