Stem cell research has the potential to move society one step closer to the mythic well of immortality.  Though there is controversy surrounding the harvesting and destruction of embryos needed for stem cells, the benefit is the ability for scientists to regenerate almost any tissue in the body and increase life expectancy.  Unlike previous scientific advancements, that Francis Fukuyama, author of Our Posthuman Future, called “straightforward threats”, the threat of stem cell research has not been determined.  In his book, Fukuyama hypothesizes about the societal implications of further advancements, which he breaks down into two categories.  Category I would be the stagnation of thinking as age-graded hierarchies continue to dominate the current social structure.  Category II is the extension of life without the guarantee of quality.   Age-associated illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may be found to be incurable, leading to what Fukuyama calls the “nursing home effect” (Fukuyama 69).

Ideally, one would like not merely to live longer but also to have one’s different faculties fail as close as possible to when death finally comes, so that one does not have to pass through a period of debility at the end of life.

                                                                                                (Fukuyama 67)

Fukuyama’s main argument is the extension of life without the guarantee.  “In the future, biotechnology is likely to offer us bargains that trade off length of life span for quality of life” (Fukuyama 69).  This “nursing home scenario” will essentially be the majority of the latter years spent in a childlike state of dependence on caretakers.  Stem cells can regenerate any tissue of the body, but this proves to be illusive in terms of the brain.  This inability to cure brain diseases will create the dependence that Fukuyama considers to become problematic as birthrates decrease and life expectancy increases.  According to an article in the New York Times, if a discovery of a cure looms for a disease, it will not be soon.  Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institute of Health agrees with this statement saying in a testimony to a Congressional subcommittee, “we are at a very early stage…and have a great deal of basic research to conduct before we can unlock the potential of these cells”  (Zerhouni).

The “nursing home” effect is not Fukuyama’s only concern.  There are societal concerns as well.  With the prolongation of life, mental and cultural stagnation may occur because as Fukuyama puts it, generational succession is a major stimulant of change and progress.  If the older generation refuses to make way for the younger, the paradigm for which the older generations stands will not change.  Today’s society is made up of “age-graded” hierarchies such as tenure and review boards.  If their thinking prevails, new ideas may never see the light.  Fukuyama believes this may lead to generational wars and instability as those witnessed in China during the Cultural Revolution, in which young, idealistic students attempted to change the thinking of an ageing power structure that would not budge on their ideals.

Early on, Fukuyama calls for the power of the state to regulate biotechnology.  It has to be a global step-up.  A global entity must exist to create and administer regulations in order to keep things in line.  The United States has passed legislation stating that funding would be available for the existing 60 stem cell lines.  Other countries are far more lenient.  A consensus must be reached, devoid of the moral implications, in order for society to benefit as a whole. 

In the end, the implications of stem cell research and biotechnology are far reaching.  We must take time to study and hypothesize about the societal implications of furthering stem cell research.  Apart from the moral debate about the harvesting of embryonic stem cells, we must look at the health consequences of prolonging life as well as the effects on government and culture.

            If parallel advancements are not made in regards to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, but life is still extended, are we making the bargain that Fukuyama is warning us of:  quantity of life without the guarantee of quality.  According to Dr. Zerhouni, stem cells may someday be used to treat these ailments, but the research is still in the beginning phase.  If this scenario is true, then Fukuyama’s concerns of a future where generation’s lives are dependent on the younger generation may become a reality.  With society structured with age-graded hierarchies, the prolongation of life may stagnate thinking and ideas, leaving almost no room for change and growth.  Examples of this have been China and North Korea.

            Fukuyama’s argument is that there are far deeper implications than we realize.  If biotechnology and stem cell research are to proceed, we must investigate the implications further and use the resources of governments to help regulate it.  If we do not, we may be setting ourselves up for further complications and disaster.

Works Cited

Fukuyama, Francis.  Our Posthuman Future.  Farrar, Straus and Giroux.  New York. 2002.

Zerhouni, Elias M.D.  “Statement to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education.” National Institutes of Health. 25 September 2002. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. 5 December 2002. <http://www.nih.gov/about/director/092502sctestimony.htm>. 

“Topics in Cellular Aging.”  American Federation for Aging Research. 2002. Novartis Foundation for Gerontology. 5 December 2002. <http://www.healthandage.com/html/min/afar/content/topics5_4.htm>.

“Embryonic Stem Cell Research : A Reality Check.” Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics.  March 2002. 5 December 2002. < http://www.stemcellresearch.org/info/quotes3.htm>.

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