Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7013
ISSN: 2157-7013
Mette Ebbesen
Centre for Bioethics and Nanoethics, Faculty of Arts,
Taasingegade 3, Bldg. 1443, DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Review Article
Ethical Perspectives on Stem Cell-based Cellular Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Author(s): Mette Ebbesen, Finn Skou Pedersen, Svend Andersen and Thomas G. JensenMette Ebbesen, Finn Skou Pedersen, Svend Andersen and Thomas G. Jensen
The effect of stem cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, and Parkinson disease are currently being investigated. Here we specify possible therapeutic effects and possible side effects for patients and conclude that cellular therapies may have benefits for patients. The side effect described most commonly in the literature is the risk of tumor formation by stem cells not fully differentiated into neurons when transplanted or following viral transduction and subsequent differentiation to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This risk may be avoided by differentiating stem cells in culture before transplantation.
Here we argue that the following ethical considerations are important for clinical trials: Informed consent of research subjects or patients, specification of possible therapeutic effects, risk a.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-7013.S3-003