Note: Dr. Fatemeh Ardestani is a Level 3 instructor at the Tehran Seminary, holding both a Level 4 seminary degree and a doctorate in jurisprudence and legal foundations. Given that her doctoral dissertation focused on stem cells and gene therapy, and considering her research in this field over the past years, we discussed the applications of these cells with her. She emphasized that, contrary to common belief, stem cells are not limited to umbilical cord cells and described human cloning as having numerous ethical and social risks. The full text of Contemporary Jurisprudence’s exclusive interview with this professor and researcher of jurisprudence and law is as follows:

Contemporary Jurisprudence: What Are Stem Cells, and Which Cells Do They Include?

Ardestani: Stem cells, or in other words, “stem cells,” are a type of primary, undifferentiated cells in the body that can divide, proliferate, and differentiate, thereby aiding in the body’s growth. These cells have two distinct characteristics: the first is self-renewal, meaning they can produce cells similar to themselves, and the second is differentiation, meaning they can transform into various types of cells.

These cells are divided into several categories. One category consists of pluripotent cells, which can differentiate into multiple types, such as embryonic cells used in the early stages of embryonic development. The second category includes multipotent cells, which can differentiate into specific types of tissues, such as hematopoietic cells that can become white blood cells or platelets, or mesenchymal cells that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, or adipose tissue cells. Another category is unipotent stem cells, which can differentiate into a specific type of specialized body cell, such as epidermal cells that can become skin. The fourth category is adult stem cells, which develop into mature cells and are found in bone marrow, liver, and muscles. Additionally, there are induced pluripotent stem cells, which are reprogrammed genetically to become pluripotent. Some cells are similar to embryonic stem cells but are not derived from embryos, though they resemble embryonic stem cells.

Contemporary Jurisprudence: Are Stem Cells Limited to Fetal Umbilical Cord Cells, or Do They Also Include Other Cells, Such as Adult Bone Marrow Cells?

Ardestani: I partially addressed this question in response to the previous one, and I will briefly elaborate here. As I explained in detail earlier, stem cells are certainly not limited to fetal umbilical cord cells and come in various types: unipotent cells, multipotent adult cells—some of which are derived from the umbilical cord—and others from different categories, including adult bone marrow cells. In other words, stem cells can be obtained from various stages, from embryonic stages to adulthood. Thus, cells can be extracted at any stage, each with its specific applications, including umbilical cord cells. Generally, embryonic cells, and in other cases, cells used for treating various diseases, can be utilized. However, there are other types that are helpful in treating certain diseases.

Regarding the question about bone marrow cells and umbilical cord cells, it is useful to compare these two types. Umbilical cord cells are generally less likely to be rejected by the body and do not trigger an immune response. In contrast, bone marrow cells have a higher risk of rejection. Umbilical cord cells can be helpful for blood-related tissue diseases, while adult bone marrow cells are more involved in cartilage regeneration. Their primary application is in cartilage repair.

Contemporary Jurisprudence: What Are the Current Uses of Stem Cells?

Ardestani: These cells are used in both medical and research fields. In medical and pharmaceutical research, they are helpful in tissue repair and are particularly useful in research. I will elaborate on this aspect in detail later. One area is disease treatment, where they can be beneficial. They are used for general treatments, autoimmune and skin conditions, cartilage and bone disorders, vision impairments, and diabetes, as I discussed in detail in response to the previous question.

I will now address another application of these cells, which relates to tissue repair. One application is spinal cord repair, where they can be used in spinal injuries to regenerate neurons. They can also be used in the liver, kidneys, and lungs. In drug testing and pharmaceutical research, they can be utilized to test drug efficacy and safety without experimenting on humans or animals. Additionally, in modeling, these cells can play a role in studying diseases associated with specific conditions to develop new treatments. They can also be used for disease modeling and research. In tissue engineering and personalized medicine, they are applied by using the patient’s own cells for treatment or by producing specific tissues such as heart, kidney, or cartilage in the laboratory for patient transplants. These are some of the key uses of stem cells.

Of course, there are also challenges and risks, which we have mentioned.

Contemporary Jurisprudence: Do You Confirm the Claim That “So Far, No Medical Use Has Been Made of Stem Cells and Cord Blood Banks in Iran”? Is the Use of Stem Cells in Iran Different from Other Countries?

Ardestani: There is evidence and data indicating that cord blood banks and stem cells exist in Iran and are being used. One of the companies managing these banks is Royan Technology Company, which maintains a bank specifically for newborns and has representatives in various provinces. They have stored thousands of cord blood samples, which can be used for treating serious and specific diseases. In terms of cell therapy, Iran is reportedly among the countries that conduct such treatments, and some reports suggest that Iran is one of the leading countries in utilizing cell therapies. Therefore, we can refute the claim that stem cells have not been used for medical purposes in Iran. Iran has made significant progress in this field and continues to compete globally.

Contemporary Jurisprudence: Is It Possible to Clone Humans, Rejuvenate Them, or Achieve Immortality Through Advancements in Stem Cell Technology?

Ardestani: The topics of cloning, rejuvenation, and immortality are among the most challenging discussions. Research related to these topics involves human cloning using stem cell technology and remains theoretical. The practical implementation of these theories faces significant scientific, ethical, and legal challenges. This issue is problematic from both perspectives. In animal cloning, there have been examples, such as the famous case of the cloned sheep “Dolly.” This can be discussed in the context of animals. However, human cloning, while theoretically possible, is problematic due to ethical issues and risks, as the research is incomplete.

Now, induced pluripotent stem cells can be used for human cloning. However, creating a complete human version, including psychological and mental structures, far exceeds current capabilities. The topic of human rejuvenation through stem cells is a very active and promising field, but it also has significant limitations. Current progress in this area has been in tissue repair, such as skin, organ, and heart regeneration, and restoring the function of aged tissues. These advancements are related to rejuvenation through stem cells. However, there are limitations, such as uncontrollable risks and unforeseen effects, which are among the challenges in this field. The process is complex and difficult, requiring changes at the cellular, genetic, and environmental levels, which makes it challenging.

Contemporary Jurisprudence: Can Stem Cells Lead to Human Immortality?

Ardestani: The idea of immortality and completely halting the process of death through stem cells can be described as a fictional notion, and it is truly unimaginable from a scientific perspective. Scientific realities indicate that many tissues can be repaired, but the factors causing death cannot be controlled. It is not possible to combat complex diseases and cancers or eliminate them. Such a concept is not consistent with scientific realities and also poses ethical and social challenges.

Uncontrolled population growth is one of the harms of this issue, with economic consequences and the potential to create widespread inequalities and other problems. Cloning may be achievable, but it is restricted by legal and ethical constraints. Rejuvenation may be effective in various tissues, improving quality of life and organ function, but complete rejuvenation has not yet been realized. Immortality, due to biological and ethical complexities, remains out of reach, and if it were possible, it would bring significant challenges. In summary, these cells have significant potential for research to impact human life, but their application, given humanity’s adherence to ethical principles, may not be widely feasible. We must see how far scientific advancements progress and to what extent they can be helpful.