Steam Cell

Stem Cell

Stem cell research has been a major controversy for the last few years. But what exactly is a stem cell? Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can “theoretically” divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person is alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. Having said that, stem cell research is a remarkable scientific method used for many, positive things. It is so significant to our society, and definitely for a good purpose.

Accordingly to Wikipedia.org “There are 210 different kinds of tissues in the human body. Most of which we have an understanding for, but we are not capable of fully grasping there skills and functions”. You would think that in today’s modern world there would be a cure or an explanation for every occurrence in the human body. We thought that by now we would be able to cure cancer and other life treating diseases, unfortunately not.

In 1998 there was a breakthrough in science, when two separate researchers successfully isolated stem cells from human embryos and aborted fetuses. According to Wikipedia.org “Stem cells are primal cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They retain the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. The three broad categories of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts, adult stem cells, which are found in adult tissues, and cord blood stem cells, which are found in the umbilical cord. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells”.

Basically this was a huge break-thru in the medical field, even though there are great benefits to this research but as written in the law we cannot kill one member of the human species. The main argument which holds us back in the U.S, according to (Encyclopedia Britannica) that “There exists a widespread controversy over stem cell research that emanates from the techniques used in the creation and usage of stem cells. Human embryonic stem cell research is particularly controversial because, with the present state of technology, starting a stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo and or therapeutic cloning. Opponents of the research argue that this practice is a slippery slope to reproductive cloning and tantamount to the instrumentalization of a human being. Contrarily, some medical researchers in the field argue that it is necessary to pursue embryonic stem cell research because the resultant technologies could have significant medical potential, and that excess embryos created for invitro fertilisation could be donated with consent and used for the research. This in turn, conflicts with opponents in the pro-life movement, who argue that a human embryo is a human life and is therefore entitled to protection. The ensuing debate has prompted authorities around the world to seek regulatory frameworks and highlighted the fact that stem cell research represents a social and ethical challenge”. As Mentioned in the CNN article, President Bush twice vetoed the passage of a bill that would make it easier on federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

This new field of biological research promises to provide cures for such diseases as Parkinson’s disease, heart diseases diabetes, cancer, and can now be found with the help of stem cell research. Stem cells contain remarkable skills; it could allow doctors to grow tissues, and possibly even whole organs, for transplants. A common goal for most researchers is to successfully clone a human being, which has many conflicts with religion.

There are stem cell concerns of religions sayings and morals. The scriptures assure us that every human being is made in the image of God from whom we receive our dignity and rights, and from whom we have been promised constant love, protection, and guidance.Ð' I hope in my life time they could make a successful clone, because the aftermath would be interesting. Would it be a lifeless body, with no soul, or would it have some type of defect?

We as a human race have to be willing to make some sacrifices and allow us to dig deeper, to find out how to help people who are in need. Most of the defects that occur during the embryonic stage are life treating, such as cancer and birth defects. If we were allowed to study stem cells we can learn to stop this occurrence. A better understanding of the cell process will allow us to understand and most likely correct the errors that cause these defects.

The main concern in today’s medical field is to have spare organs and tissues available on call. The donated organs and tissues are used to replace those that are diseased or failed. Unfortunately, the number of people needing a transplant far exceeds the organs available for transplantation. Stem cells can do all this and offer cures to life treating diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimers disease, spinal cord injury, strokes, extreme burns, heart problems and diabetes. This is what we except from stem cells, but we have been studying stem cells for about 6 years. We have not cured a single disease; it’s going to be hard to convince the critic’s the good, that will come out of stem cell research. (Stem Cell Basics)

According to Corey Binns, “Stem cells give a boy living with a fatal disease a second shot…The genetic disease has left him blind and epileptic, with little control of his body. Doctors think that stem cells might restore