Stem Cell Research Gives New Hope

For years, debates have risen over stem cell research. Some feel that science has gone too far, messing with things that would be better left alone. Others think technology must do whatever it takes to solve the mysteries of the human body. Many scientists realize that stem cell research could lead to medical miracles. Scientists now believe that stem cell research could reveal far more vital information about our bodies than was previously known. Stem cells are primitive cells that other cells derive from. In recent experiments, scientists have been able to “persuade” stem cells to act like brain cells or neurons. The reason the research is so controversial is because stem cells are believed to be found only in embryos. When one considers the controversy surrounding abortions, the two run hand in hand, as aborted babies are the best places to find such stem cells. While the embryo is forming, cells go through many different stages. Human cells only have the ability to change during the first stages of egg fertilization and development. Cells become multipotent, meaning they can give rise to several other cell types, with the exception of brain cells. The only problem is that these cells are limited in number. Scientists currently know of ways to clone these cells, but still, many are needed to test on. According to The Stem Cell Research Foundation, some scientists have found multipotent cells in adults as well. Researchers believe that many more of these cells will be found in adults as research continues. This is extremely good news to supporters of stem cell research, because if research can be done from adult cells, then embryonic cells may be phased out completely, and issues of ethics will cease to slow research down. Stem cell therapy has already done amazing things. For years, cells have been used in bone marrow transplants for Leukemia victims, grafting new skin cells for severe burn victims, and growing new corneas for the vision-impaired. Only recently, new pancreatic cells have been grown and implanted into the human body. These cells have even begun to produce insulin, meaning diabetics around the world may have new freedoms to look forward to. Scientists feel that as technology grows, cell therapy will only grow more common, as well as less expensive as time goes by. There are many problems surrounding stem cell research. The biggest is identifying which cells are stem cells, especially in adults, where the stem cells are not as versatile. Scientists estimate that there are thousands of different types of cells, and the elimination process is long and tedious. Once the cells have been found, it is also difficult to get them to grow into what scientists want. Once the above problems have been worked out and the new cells have been implanted, many things could go wrong. The body’s immune system could reject the foreign cells. There are medications a patient can take if this happens which suppress the immune system, and there are obvious health risks that could result. The new cells have to “learn” how to work with others. For example, cardiac cells beat in a cluster, and the new cell cluster may not beat in rhythm with other cardiac cells. There are many complications, most still unknown, with brain cells, as they must be correctly wired to what is necessary. Another concern in the rise of cancer. “Cancer results when cells lose their internal ‘brakes’ and keep dividing when further proliferation is no longer desirable,” reports the Stem Cell Research Foundation. Most scientists, however, feel that soon these obstacles will be overcome, and the power of stem cells will be harnessed. Many researchers believe that stem cell research will change modern medicine as we currently know it. Cell therapy may be used to cure cancer, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, diabetes, spinal injuries, paralysis and potentially hundreds of others. Cell therapy could also increase the average human life span, as it will be possible to replace aging cells with younger ones. One day, heart attacks may be a risk of the past. One day, we will probably reach the limits of cell therapy, and new, unforeseen health problems will most likely arise, but for now, cell therapy is predicted to change the world. If only Christopher Reeves had lived for a few more years, the money he donated and his will to succeed would undoubtedly have been worthwhile.