Análisis bioético de las terapias neurodegenerativas basadas en el uso de células madre

Abstract

Most media present therapies based on stem cells as the "new generation medicines" for ageing patients with neurodegenerative diseases; even if this statement is not completely false, it introduces confusing information. This situation is especially delicate in a context where an increasing interest in these pathologies exists due to the progressive ageing of the European population, the main potential risk group in the next decades. The topic results especially sensitive in a social context where there is an important concern about new ways of solidarity support between generations. In the scientific arena, such an interest is reflected in the high number of studies focused on medical treatments for pathologies such as Parkinson or Alzheimer diseases. In this field, stem cells have reached a prominent position, always followed closely by public interest. However, for the bioethical analysis of the real possibilities of therapies based on the use of these cells, the mere consideration of biological or technical aspects are not enough. Others aspects must be analyzed. This work contributes using a transdisciplinary approach, addressing: (i) the origin of the sources from where the stem cells are extracted, (ii) the proportionality of the risks implied in these therapies, (iii) the possible consequences in the quality of life of the elderly patients, (iv) the possible collateral effects of these treatments, (v) and the communitarian legal context. This analysis intends to determine which one of those novel therapies could be ethically justified from cognitive and no-cognitive bioethical models.