As we know, all organisms are made up of millions of cells. These cells start to be produced as soon as the egg is fertilized by the sperm. After this fertilization, thousands of mitoses will produce the cells necessary for the formation of the organism, as they will differentiate to form all the living tissues that make up an organism.
These cells that have not yet differentiated into any tissue in the body are called stem cells and are capable of differentiating themselves, transforming themselves into any living tissue. There are two types of stem cells, the calls adult stem cells, which are taken from tissues already formed and are able to differentiate into only some tissues of the organism, and the embryonic stem cells, which are taken from an embryo that is destroyed and are able to differentiate into any tissue in the body.
At adult stem cells do not cause controversy, as they are taken from adult tissues such as placenta, bone marrow and umbilical cord. Already the use of embryonic stem cells
it is widely discussed, due to the fact that an embryo has to be destroyed to remove these cells. Many consider the death of an embryo to be a criminal act.Countries like Finland, Greece, Switzerland, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, China, Russia, South Africa, U.S, Mexico, UK and Israel do research with stem cells and they have specific legislation that regulates the use of this type of cells. O Brazil was the first country in Latin America to join research with stem cells and according to the article 5 gives Biosafety Law (Law No. 11.105, of March 24, 2005), “For research and therapy purposes, the use of embryonic stem cells obtained from human embryos produced by fertilization is permitted. in vitro and not used in the respective procedure, subject to the following conditions: I - are unviable embryos; or II - are embryos frozen for 3 (three) years or more, on the date of publication of this Law, or that, already frozen on the date of publication of this Law, after completing 3 (three) years, counted from the date of freezing”. This article was considered unconstitutional by an Attorney of the Republic who filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court (STF). After some time and many discussions, in May 2008, Article 5 of the Biosafety Law was voted constitutional, that is, research with stem cells, under the law, were definitely allowed in our country. It is important to remember that for the use of these embryos it is essential that there is parental consent.
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Some religions such as Catholic and Spiritism, as well as anti-abortion groups, are totally against research with stem cellsembryonic for considering the moment of conception to be the beginning of life. Thus, the destruction of the embryo for the removal of stem cells is seen as an abortion. But, at one point there is agreement between religions, groups and researchers, because according to the Law of Biosafety in Brazil, only non-viable embryos, that is, which cannot be implanted in the woman's uterus, can be used. In that case, if the embryos are unviable, they would logically be discarded.
As this is a very controversial subject, the use of stem cells it will still be the target of countless discussions in the religious, scientific, philosophical and legal fields. The fact is that with the advancement of research, many diseases can be treated with the use of stem cells, guaranteed a very promising future.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
