22 Apr 2011 @ 11:04 AM 
 

The Pros And Cons Of Stem Cell Research

 

There is a huge morality question concerning the use of human embryos for stem cell research that claims their life. The main interest in stem cell research comes from the possibility to develop treatments and cures for the irrecoverable diseases that plague humanity such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s, heart attacks and so on. Yet, lots of people who argue against stem cell research are unaware of the fact that not all lab procedures are harmful to embryos. Even if they have a lower biological potential, adult stem cells for instance represent a great study material and a constant replacement for human embryonic stem cells samples.

There are many limitations related to the specialization potential of adult stem cells, particularly since embryonic cells have an unlimited variants of differentiation. Moreover, stem cell research has proved the fact that stem cells collected from embryos are more valuable in the treatment of nervous disease. Bad bits can be identified for embryonic stem cells as well because the immune system could reject the transplant. Such an issue ought to be known to parents who store umbilical cord stem cell, so that they may not be given false information that such samples can solve any future disease their child could be fighting against.

Lots of mysteries remain unsolved for the moment, and stem cell research needs to progress a bit further before coming up with new and viable treatments. The only kind of stem cell transplant that is no longer an issue or secret for the medical world is bone marrow transplantation, that has been practiced for almost fifty years now with great success. Other than this case, stem cell research cannot so far boast with the development of therapies that have a support in the treatment of human health problems. For the moment, stem cell research needs to come up with other collection sources other than embryos.

It was in 2007 that the Advanced Cell Technology Institute announced the creation of three stem cell lines that were produced without the destruction of the parenting embryos. Such results of stem cell research have been unique so far in the world, but more novelties seem to change the evolution of experimental medicine. In the same year, 2007, scientists announced that the amniotic fluid in which the fetus grows in the uterus contains stem cells that can specialize and grow into bones, blood vessels, muscles, nerves and organs. This new tissue resource could enhance the possibility to develop methods for the treatment of malfunctioning or injured organs.

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Categories: Science
Posted By: admin
Last Edit: 22 Apr 2011 @ 11 04 AM

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