Miraculous Wonder Cells

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Miraculous Wonder Cells

Francesca Tovar

Axia College of University of Phoenix

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What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term "stem cells"? You probably think of embryos, embryonic, fetuses or even "controversy". This is exactly what pops into most peoples' minds. What people don't know is that there are several places in the body where stem cells are found, and that there are several different types of stem cell therapies. Embryonic stem cell therapies are what drug companies' research and utilize, and are the subject of much heated and ongoing debate. On the other hand, umbilical cord stem cell and bone marrow stem cell therapies are available for use right now and are the important areas for us to understand and support.

Did you know that you have literally millions of stem cells per cubic milliliter of bone marrow contained in your body just waiting to be released so they can go to work healing your aches, pains and suffering? Research is proving that stem cells are by far the most promising and exciting hope for a cure for even the most dreadful diseases. Half of all Americans have some type of life-devastating illness and umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cell therapies are viable treatments.

Umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells are unique, making them valuable for use in treating disease because, when properly administered, they have been proven to be completely safe. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which differentiate (i.e., develop into cells of body parts) umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells do not develop into body parts or cells that grow into specific body parts. As the matter of fact, there are studies showing cancer development in patients who have received embryonic stem cell therapies! Stem Cell Therapies (2006), says "In addition to the moral and ethical issues involved with using embryos, embryonic stem cells have

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numerous challenges, including contamination, genetic instability and cancer risk." This scare, however, is virtually non-existent in the use of umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells.

An important factor in the safety of umbilical cord stem cells is the fact that the blood is carefully separated and cleaned before a patient is administered them. There is no danger of an immune reaction being induced by this therapy or by bone marrow stem cell therapy considering that stem cells from bone marrow can come from a person's own body. There have also been speculations that a baby's cord blood may pass on any ailments that the baby or baby's mother may have had. This has not been found to be true. "Ð'...because umbilical cord blood lacks well-developed immune cells, there is less chance that the transplanted cells will attack the recipient's body, a problem called graft versus host disease" (The University of Utah, Genetic Science Learning Center, Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant, 2).

Not only is it proven that they are safe, but umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells are also effective. After umbilical cord stem cell therapies, a 37-year-old woman in South Korea took several steps after being paralyzed for over two decades (National Right to Life Committee, 2004)! There are two different ways in which stem cells can be administered to a patient. They can be directly injected into a specific part of the body or they can be distributed throughout the body intravenously. If the stem cells are administered through an IV, the patient's body will use them where it most needs them. In this scenario, if the patient receiving stem cells recently had a stroke, the stem cells would go directly to his brain; however, if the patient receiving the stem cells recently had a heart attack, they would go directly to his heart. Since stem cells are already a part of the body; they aren't a "drug"; the body knows where it needs them.

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In addition, umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells most always produce results rapidly. Often patients will notice results from stem cell therapies within weeks, although some patients have even reported that they noticed results within days.

It is clear that umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cells are safe and effective. But another benefit to using them as a treatment is that they are readily available. Everyone has bone marrow, and in everyone's bone marrow are billions of stem cells. By what means could stem cells be any more available?! On that same note, many babies are born every day and umbilical cords from a large percentage of those newborns are discarded. Instead, parents could easily donate their baby's umbilical cord from which scientists, labs and doctors could easily extract the stem cells. It costs nothing for parents to donate their baby's umbilical cord blood, except that the cost could be someone else's life if they do not donate it. That simple act could help someone tremendously.

While umbilical cord and bone marrow stem cell treatments are widely available, they are also ethical. No embryos are harmed or killed in the process of utilizing these types of stem cells. There really is no reason for the current battles that are raging over stem cell usage, when umbilical cord or bone marrow stem cells can be obtained so easily and without harm. If battles continue to rage, we all have to ask ourselves if greed is really the motive.

Considering the efficiency, safety, availability and morality, why wouldn't a person consider umbilical cord or bone marrow stem cells? Ask yourself this; do you have a friend or loved one who has heart muscle damage, Parkinson's disease or cancer? What about multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, muscular dystrophy, ALS, Huntington's disease, diabetes, autism