Back in the early 1970s, the Nixon Administration capitalized on China's invitation to and subsequent visit of the US Ping Pong team to begin the process of normalizing relations with China. Many at the time referred to the series of events as "Ping-Pong Diplomacy." Currently, a similar opportunity exists for "Stem Cell Diplomacy" with Iran. While the current political situation between Iran and the US remains tense, Iran's very liberal stem cell research laws provide a perfect opportunity to open a serious and mutually beneficial scientific exchange between the two countries. The shift of the Obama Administration policy on stem cell research after the scientifically retarded Bush Administration contributes directly to this potential effort.
Regardless of what your view of the Islamic Republic of Iran may be, there are a number of achievements since the Revolution of 1979 which are undeniable. In health and education, the Islamic Republic has excelled. Here are some quick stats: 1) The literacy rate has gone from roughly 47% to 85% for the population as a whole. 2) Average life expectancy has risen since 1979 from 56 to 70 years. 3) The infant mortality rate has gone from 104 to 25 per 1000 births. 4) While increases in primary school enrollment have been modest, 4.7 to 5.7 million, secondary education and university education has exploded. There were 2.1 million students in secondary schools in 1979, there are now 7.6 million. There were 154,000 university students in 1979, there are now 1.5 million. In addition, 62% of those university students are women. Source: Middle East Report, Ervand Abrahamian.
In the current political environment the nuclear issue dominates the both the fears and the action of discussions between Iran and the US. It would be of tremendous benefit to both countries to expand the ground of engagement to some more neutral territories. When Barack Obama became President, one of the first things he reversed was the Executive Branch's position on stem cell research and science in general. The United States now has a more progressive policy on stem cell research. Surprisingly for many Americans, so does Iran. The drastic increase in university educated people outlined in the previous paragraph has impacted all fields of science in Iran. There are many Iranian scientists taking advantage of Iran's rather liberal stem cell research policies.
This juncture of scientific research a great opportunity to initiate cooperation between the two countries: an opportunity for "Stem Cell Diplomacy." Scientists from both countries could easily meet and visit each others' facilities and exchange ideas and research techniques. The US could help Iran's stem cell program by both allowing and expediting the sale and delivery of equipment that Iran's labs need. I seriously doubt that equipment designed for stem cell research can be converted into centrifuges. In addition, the field provides an excellent venue for cooperation that could tremendously benefit the world.
In the field of stem cell research, many of those recent university grads are part of the scientific teams that are taking advantage of some of the most liberal laws regarding stem cell research. The Royan Institute is Iran's leading stem cell research facility. In 2002, Supreme Leader Khamenei established some clear guidelines for stem cell research, and the Shia clergy in Qom has also significantly contributed to Sharia Law about the viability of a fetus, and the point in which a embryo becomes human. Here are some starting points:
On the general position of Iran's Stem Cell research program:
The rapid progress in stem cell technology forced the government to put in place appropriate ethical and scientific supervision of stem cell research and therapeutic applications to make sure that these advances are used responsibly, fairly and humanely. In 2005, the Ministry of Health and Tehran University of Medical Sciences jointly developed a set of guidelines regarding research on gametes and embryos which permitted the use of human embryos for stem cell research and therapy under certain circumstances (7, 23, 24). According to these guidelines, National and Regional Ethical Committees in universities and research centres should supervise ESC research and therapeutic cloning adhering to these guidelines as well as the Ethical Guidelines for Genetic Research (7). The principles behind the Ethical Guidelines for Gamete and Embryo Research are given in brief below:
- Respect for human dignity and human rights
- Voluntary and informed participation in research which will not affect the patient's treatment
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality
- Equitable distribution of benefits and harms, especially in research, includes clinical treatment
- Minimisation of risk for the embryo or the future child and maximisation of benefit for individuals and society
- Prohibition of the production of hybrids using humans and animals
- Prohibition of eugenics
- Prohibition of the production of human embryos for research purposes
- Use of only surplus IVF embryos, below 14 days, for research which includes destruction of the embryo
- Responsible persons for the embryo are the donor, her partner and recipients
- All information regarding research and clinical cares of the embryo is available to responsible persons.
However, Iran's approach is currently based on guidelines, not parliamentary legislation (24) and the guidelines are still open for public examination and debate.
Source for the above: Indian Journal of Medical Ethics.
In addition there is this excellent video here: Frontline--Iran: The Stem Cell Fatwa.
I really enjoyed the cries of "Allah" when they successfully birthed a cloned sheep. I also found the young mullah in Qom explaining the moral struggle and the application of Sharia law and ethics.
I was very moved by the Iran/Iraq War vet who enthusiastically wanted to take part in stem cell experiments. Esoteric arguments of theory are completely dwarfed by the suffering of one such person. Could Stem Cell research allow him to escape his wheel chair? Ensha Allah. (God willing)
There remain many areas of distrust between the United States and Iran. In an area such as this, however, outside of the realm of politics, a new set of connections based on human interactions and respect can be forged. A partnership that could begin not only better relations between Iran and the US, but benefit the world by advancing exciting new medical research.
Isn't it time for a little Stem Cell Diplomacy ?