What are stem cells?
Known as the basic building blocks of our body with the ability to mimic any cell in our body, stem cells are at the forefront of our medical research. There are three different types of stem cells, Adult Stem Cells (ASC), Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPS). All three of the branches of stem cells have similar but also individual functions and therapy potentials. Adult Stem Cells are used for bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants, most commonly used in treating leukemia and lymphoma. Embryonic Stem Cells are derived from the inner cell mass of an embryo that has been fertilized through in vitro fertilization and donated for research. No eggs that are fertilized inside a woman are used. These cells are used to replicate a multitude of cells, and have the potential to be used for nerve, skin, intestine and liver transplants. The last type of stem cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are created in a laboratory and are seen as a healthy medium between ASC’s and ESC’s. They work on switching a somatic cell back into its original “stem cell like” state ("What").
Pro-Stem CellsWith all the controversy surrounding stem cells you may have missed hearing about many of the benefits for the health and medical fields. Already to this date, stem cells are the cure for treating many diseases, including spinal cord injuries, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and many more (Lyon). Stem Cells provide potential for unspecialized cells that have not yet “decided” what type of adult cell they will be”. They can self-renew, and make up to two different types of cells, from just one single stem cell. These cells can also trans differentiate, which turns cells back into a different cell type than the resident tissue it was replenishing (Murnaghan). One of the major hopes for the future involving these stem cells, is the potential to dramatically reduce the number of patients on the current transplant list for organs such as hearts, kidneys, lungs, etc. These cells can replace each other, and potentially build together to create new organs by replacing and rebuilding the damaged tissue or dysfunctional area ("What"). By directing stem cells to differentiate into specialized cell types, there is the exciting potential to provide a new and renewable source of replacement cells for those suffering from diseases. Now why would we try to put a stop to such a medical advancement as this? No one is being harmed in this. Stem cells are one of the most natural things we can be putting into our body, since they are cells from human bodies, and we all possess them. This research needs to continue in order to keep saving lives both now, and in the future.
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Anti-Stem CellsStem cells have become the talk of this generation, and although they are often seen as a beneficial tool to the medical field, many people are missing a number of biological errors, and looking past how truly terrible stem cells are. Recently pro-life and stem cell research have become paired up in discussions within conservative households, political discussions and in the medical field. According to Doctor J.C. Wilke, “At the first cell stage, you are everything you are today. You were already male or female. You were alive, not dead. You were certainly human, as you had 46 human chromosomes.” (Wilke). Looking into what Dr. Wilke is saying, using and creating embryonic stem cells is killing babies. These embryos are scientifically created inside of petri dishes. They are just as alive as they would be if they were conceived inside of a woman's uterus.
In addition, stem cell research also has a few scientific faults. First, stem cells cannot be grown for long periods of time in culture. They also have a small number of cells in each tissue, making them difficult to find and purify. Looking at all these factors, its mind boggling as to why the government keeps letting these liberal scientist continue their unjustifiable research. |