Scientists who use stem cells in their research are publicly committing to a set of principles in an effort to gain public support amid opposition from those who say the research is unethical.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells can be thought of as blank slates or cells that have yet to become specialized. They are in an early stage of development and have the ability to become any type of cell to form skin, bones, organs or other body parts. This makes them perfect for a wide range of potential medical uses, from repairing tissue to treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

"Those in opposition are well-organized and are quite vocal," said Ottawa stem cell researcher Michael Rudnicki, one of the authors of the Stem Cell Charter released by the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation Tuesday at the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore, Md.

The document answers such critics by seeking signatories who agree to uphold principles such as transparency and the responsibility to maintain "the highest level of scientific quality, safety and ethical probity." They also commit to the importance of stem cell science and agree to lend their "voice, time or other resources" to advance stem cell science.

Anti-abortion groups have been particularly vocal at criticizing stem cell research, as some stem cell lines are harvested from human embryos. In 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush vetoed legislation to expand stem-cell research that had already passed the Senate, saying that each embryo is a "unique human life with inherent dignity" and the research "crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect." President Barack Obama reversed Bush's move earlier this year.

The Stem Cell Charter principles

  • Responsibility to maintain the highest level of scientific quality, safety and ethical probity.
  • Protection of citizens from harm and the safeguarding of the public trust and values.
  • Intellectual freedom to exchange ideas in the spirit of international collaboration.
  • Transparency through the disclosure of results and of possible conflicts of interest.
  • Integrity in the promotion and advancement of stem cell research and therapy for the betterment of the welfare of all human beings

Rudnicki, head of the regenerative medicine program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, uses stem cells in his research into treatments for muscular dystrophy. He holds a different perspective on the morality of stem cell research than Bush did, saying this type of work could help sick children who are suffering.

"And if we can advance our knowledge in any way to help those kids increase their quality of life, we have a moral imperative to pursue that research."

He added that so far, there hasn't been a way for stem cell research supporters to declare that.

Exposing charlatans

The charter's authors also hope the charter will expose those performing dubious, unproven procedures such as stem-cell based spinal cord repair. Rudnicki said some people are being fleeced out of amounts that range up to $50,000 by those who claim to perform such treatments in countries like China.

"There's been no clinical trials performed," he said. "There's a real potential for harm."

The charter was written by McGill University bioethicist Bartha Maria Knoppers, who heads up the school's new Centre of Genomics and Policy, in collaboration with a working group of scientists, patients, ethicists and laypeople.

Several international organizations are founding organizational signatories to the charter, including the Stem Cell Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Genetics Policy Institute.