“How can the use of stem cells be so controversial?”, one may ask. If the stem cells are donated out of free will or were going to be destroyed anyway, how can putting them to better use be controversial? Sure, a potential life must be destroyed to save a life, but only before one can tell that it is a human. Should the use of stem cells for medical research and use be regulated? These questions and more will be discussed and pondered throughout this paper. A stem cell is defined as a cell that can change into a different type of cell. Stem cells are different from other cells because from the start they do not have specialized functions. Embryonic stem cells are found within the blastocyst (embryo), which is just a tiny package of …show more content…
These organs would then be transplanted into someone whose had previously failed or is in the process of shutting down. In humans adult stem cells, not embryonic stem cells, have been used in therapies for more than forty years. People with blood disorders have used stem cell therapy to take the opportunity to improve upon their life. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells have a very high potential to treat or even cure numerous diseases like diabetes and heart disease. They are much more versatile in their usage compared to adult stem cells. Another practical use for embryonic stem cells is to treat damaged nerves ("Testing The Use…”). These nerves could have been impaired in a spinal cord injury. As of today, scientists have already performed stem cell transplants in people whose cells were damaged through chemotherapy of disease. To make the use of stem cells helpful to the patient they must come from that person. If not, there is a possibility of the stem cells being rejected. Currently, only adult stem cells have been transplanted into humans, with embryonic stem cells missing out. If a person stores their stem cells earlier in life, the usefulness of them would be extremely high later in life (Preserving Stem Cells). A stem cell is more advantageous at a younger age, thus why embryonic stem cells extraordinarily useful. If a person was against the use of stem cells as regenerative medicine or just the use of embryonic stem cells in general,
Once there is an understanding of how embryonic cells are taken from the body, it can be explained why they should be used contrary to the beliefs some people have. First, Embryonic cells can cure diseases. For example, if someone is paralyzed, doctors can take an embryonic cell and use this to cure the patient (nih.gov). A man named Rusty Leech, from Michigan, was able to regain sensation in his body, when he previously could not because of a car accident. Two months of physical therapy and embryonic stem cell injections enabled him to regain feeling below his waist again. He has regained limited muscle use to help him go to the bathroom and move his legs a little on his own. “The results were unbelievable, to feel the sensations in my body that weren’t
The controversy due to embryonic stem cells is quite debatable. Both sides present many strong reasons that prove their point, but it is still, frankly, nearly impossible to take a stand from an unbiased view. "This is the first study showing that embryonic stem cells can be used for brain and spinal cord repair in an animal model of a human neurological disease," said researcher Oliver BrŸstle (a neuropathologist at the University of Bonn in Germany) referring to the study done on rats (CNN). Just like Oliver BrŸstle many scientists around the world agree that embryonic stem cell show much welcomed hope of cure of spinal and brain repair. In addition to healing spinal and brain injuries, the embryonic stem cells can also treat diabetes, a disease which 54%
The embryonic stem cells can be used for various medical cure. It can help treat diseases including Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. The embryonic stem cells are cells that can easily be transformed into any cell. This can help treat many diseases but this may also increase the number of women selling their eggs and undergo dangerous procedure to do. We don’t agree with the use of the embryonic stem cells for research.
First, I would like to explain that I’m not against Stem cell research at all. I think it is a
Imagine living in a world without cancer, Parkinson 's, or even diabetes. While everyone may wish this is true, people are against a way that researchers can make this possible, which would be by the use of stem cells. There is major controversy on whether or not stem cell research should be allowed, especially when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. Although many consider it to be killing a potential life form, embryonic stem cell research may eventually be acceptable to use because there is consent and a lengthy process to make sure the donor understands what their embryonic stem cells will be used for. That may be viewed as a much better
In addition to research, these types of stem cells are used to restore and repair damaged tissue in all kinds of diseases. Embryonic stem cells are so useful because they have pluripotency, which means that they can differentiate into any human cell type. The cell types that they are commonly induced in are brain, heart, liver and insulin pumping beta cells that are similar to the pancreas. Since these embryonic stem cells can be differentiated into so many types of cells, they are able to treat diseases like: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and many more.
The stem cell comes in, changes to that cell’s type, and then takes the damaged cell’s place. Given with theses abilities the cells could one day cure diabetes or even heart disease (Stem Cells Basics). With the cure for diabetes and heart disease people could live much more easily knowing that there is a fix to their or their loved one’s scary disease. In truth an embryo’s stem cells are much more usable than an adult’s stem cell because since they are truly brand new they could be used for anything. But there are people who argue that since the cells are coming from an embryo it is wrong.
Scientists and researchers believe that Human Embryonic Stem Cells hold potential cures for numerous diseases in today's society, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease, Hodgkin's disease, hundreds of immune system and genetic disorders, spinal cord injuries, heart disease and just about every type of cancer. In today's world there's over a million Americans who suffer from deadly diseases, not only adults but innocent children that deserve to live a healthy life. These deadly diseases can be cured or treated in a more effective way than they are treated now with the help of the human embryonic stem cells. According to the Poll on "American views on stem cell research in the wake of the death of Ronald Reagan" which was prepared for results of America, shows that a sum of 73% highly supports and somewhat support this controversial process (Results of America, 2004). Even though this topic has brought continuous political attacks and very limited funding, Human Embryonic Stem cell research has made considerable contribution to the battle against disabilities and incurable diseases. A great example of success by using human embryonic stem cells was made by Dr. Hans Keirstead in the Roman Laboratory at UC Irvine; he restored myelin insulation around damaged nerves, returning motion to partially paralyzed rats. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2005) .
One of the pros of stem cell research Adult stem cells can be reprogrammed and are less likely to be rejected when used in transplants.Embryonic stem cells can grow for at least a year in some cases, especially when established protocols are used These cells can also be used to generate more cell types like Induced pluripotent stem cells help avoid issues of histocompatibility in transplants, and research on these cells will help reprogram diseased or damaged tissues
Once stem cells are collected scientist place them in a dish with a controlled environment to prevent differentiation but still allows them to divide and replicate. This process is easier and faster with embryonic stem cells which is why we should further the research with them rather than with adult stem cells. There is progress in adult stem cell research but it is occurring at a slower pace than embryonic cell
Imagine if you could save the life of a child with cancer, correct a man’s paralysis as a result of a stroke, or give a woman who suffers from infertility the gift of life. At the present time there is no cure for terminal diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, Type I diabetes, spinal cord or brain injuries. The possibility has presented itself by perfecting the use of adult stem cells. Throughout the evolving technologies and experiments, medical researchers have discovered the potential to dramatically change medical treatments, treat diseases, alleviate suffering, and heal physical and mental impairments. Researchers are optimistic that with the evolution of stem cell research they can change the face of healthcare by using technologies to manipulate adult ad embryonic stem cells for treatments of various illness and injuries.
Adult stem cells are used primarily in medical therapy, for example in bone marrow transplant. With the help of medical science, stem cells can now be grown artificially. They can also be transformed into specialized cells with various characteristics consistent with different muscles and nerves. Stem cells can be used to regenerate damaged tissue.
From all three stem cells (embryonic, adult, and umbilical cord) we hope to find cures for: diabetes and brain diseases such as Parkinsons. These cells offer hope to treating diseases such as cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. While the intentions to cure diseases are important this is not the only reason for stem cell research. It is also important for scientist to understand the development of cells and how each cell holds certain properties. This knowledge would increase the ability to utilize adult stem cells. If scientists could understand what within the cell causes it to develop into a particular function, we then could manipulate adult stem cells for the purpose need in each individual circumstance. It is also recorded that stem cell research may be useful for improvement of livestock and other animals. (Conan-Davies 1)
Deciding whether it is right or wrong to use stem cells in research is a matter of choice, since some can look at it with a scientific
For the past generation, biological scientists’ main focus has been on genetics and DNA, but in recent years, stem cell research has become more of the primary focus in the world of medicine. Scientists see the next ten years as being monumental in the growth of biology, as stem cells continue to amaze them with their potential to save and improve the quality of human life. These cells have the possibility to save millions of people with diseases thought to be incurable. However, there is controversy about the use of certain types of stem cells. Some stem cells are obtained from the cells of an early stage embryo, therefore preventing further development into a human being. This, to some, is equivalent to taking a human life. Fortunately, it is becoming more apparent that the use of stem cells from adult tissue, such as bone marrow stem cells, also has large potential to improve and cure disease and prolong human life. The important thing is that the development of stem cells have the ability to change the future of human health forever.