The research on human stem cells

The decoding of the human hereditary property is already for a long time an ambitious goal in the gene research. The Human Genome project was brought 1990 into being which was created particular for this aim. World-wide there are since then numerous groups of researchers, which operate in each case with public funds on the decoding of the human Genome and the individual gene sequences. In the year 2000 the first interim report was published. Up to the final decoding it will take presumably still several years. Parallel to it, also a private business (Celeron Genomics with Craig Venter) runs in the USA, which obtains with very fast and amazing results. Nevertheless the legalization from research is (embryonalen) stem cells is very much disputed in many countries, because it is connected with some ethical problems.
What is this research about?
An important part of this gene research is the research on human stem cells. Here most diverse types are examined by stem cells for special characteristics, development signs and abilities. In addition there are meanwhile already very many important and helpful results, which bring the abilities of stem cells ever to more to the appearance.
Here is a short introduction to stem cells:
Stem cells are original cells with two special abilities: They can divide on the one hand endlessly and form new main cells, and on the other hand, they can specialize. That means, they can develop into the different cell types (e.g. heart -, muscle or liver cells) and form the different tissues and organs.
The function of stem cells: 
The function of stem cells are not to execute a certain function. They develop only to the cells which are specialized for that. It’s distinguished between normal and (embryo) stem cells. (Embryo) stem cells are (totipotent), that means, from them everything, so also a complete new identical organism can develop, in addition, other organs, tissues etc. can be bred. Other stem cells are (pluripotent), they are not able to create a new identical organism, but they can develop to certain other cells, so they can be used theoretically for cultivations of tissues and organs. By transplantation from certain cells researchers hope, to be able to heal ill organs and fabrics. Stem cells can be implanted from almost each part of the body. But (embryo) stem cells only from a fertilized (Eizelle), from an embryo (four days later) or recently even from (Nabelschnurblut, navelblodd)
The therapeutic and the reproductive cloning:
The therapeutic cloning is a cultivation of e.g. (embryo) stem cells, tissues or organs. This is in England in the meantime permitted - as so far only country world-wide (in the USA it’s also practices, but without public funds, cause it’s actually not forbidden there). The problem here is the question about the (embryo) stem cells and which state they have. Should it be permitted to make researches at the first 14 days at them, or is it better to leave them in protection at all? Additionally one tries to operate also with other stem cells (not only with (embryo) stem cells) since it is ethically more harmless. The reproductive cloning remains further forbidden. In this case the (entkernte Eizelle), in which the new DNS is brought in, become implanted into a (uterus), so that a new identical life develops.

In the method of the (Praeimplantatiomsdiadgnostik) an embryo in the eight-cell (Stadium) is defectively examined for a genetic defect. In this stage are all cells still (totipotent), that means all-side capable to evolve. Out each of these cells a whole human can develop. If a defect is present with the examined cell, it can be removed. This method is in Germany much in discussion and at present very controversial. In England and Belgium is the PIG permitted and until the end of 1990 424 children were born with this method. In May 2000 a large symposium took place in Germany, which had been organized by the Federal Ministry for health, in order to deal with this theme more in detail. In November 2000 the federal health minister Andrea Fischer did not express the PID as legally yet.
All these practices of researches at stem cells and the special methods of cloning and the (Praeimplantationsdiagnostk) are still very unpopular because the research are not finished yet and actually they are connected with very many problems. A serious problem is the possible violation of the human rights and dignities. Above all, the use of (embryo) stem cells is connected with ethical problems, because they have theoretically the potential to build a complete human. Also the origin embryo stem cells and the investigations on them are ethically precarious in each case. No matter if they are won from " surplus ", or particularly for this purpose cloned embryos. Basically the most important question is, whether it is correct at all (), to use embryos for Research purposes. Each humans have (basically in the reason) quite on their own life and not a life that’s only used for something. Therefore it is important, to weigh carefully between the dignity and the protection of each human individual and the healing of most serious, so far usually incurable diseases. 
Legally situation
It is world wide forbidden consulting from (embryo) stem cells humans.
But many countries are different to each other with the question if human embryos can be cloned for wining of embryo stem cells.
The human embryo is in many countries from the beginning in protection of the human dignity. But this doesn’t apply to all countries and therefore it must be discussed internationally.
In the present laws of the USA the removal of stem cells from human embryos is not forbidden. But the state does not give any federal supports for researches, which harms a human embryo.
In the human right convention to the biomedicine of the Council of Europe the production of human embryos for research purposes is expressly forbidden. Further it is forbidden to produce a human organism which is genetically identical to another. But the convention wasn’t signed yet by all member states.
In Great Britain the research at human embryos is permitted within the first 14 days (approx. 1mm size) for certain purposes. In this the case the therapeutic cloning and particularly the stemmcell-technology in the focal point. But also (In addition), therapeutic cloning should be possible only with the body cells of the patient, who needs the bred fabric, there.
In Germany the embryo law forbids each research at embryos, which does not serve the preservation of the embryo. But some people think about a way to import embryo tissue from other countries which is not expressly forbidden by the law.
The Austrian laws are actually completely against the Idea of cloning. The Austrian embryo law says that the human dignity have become take serious. The embryo laws from 1992 also says that embryos are only suppose to use for the medical reproduction. And not for different purposes like researches or cloning.
So how it shows, is this whole stem cells research thing an international problem. And it really shouldn’t be treaded like an regular thing. Because the human dignity is in risk. And even if the research is trying to make advances the human hereditary property should be taken seriously. 
(C.Vögler, Witten)

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