Stem Cell Research
Importance of Stem Cells
One of the most controversial debates in the scientific community concerns stem cell research from embryos.
What are stem cells and why are they so important? Embryonic stem cell research is believed to hold the key for better treatments and possible cures for some serious illnesses.
Stem cells are primitive cells, and they have the ability to change into many different types of cells.
There are over 300 distinct types of cells in the human body, but stem cells are the only types that can be grown into other kinds of cells.
This is very useful for scientists and doctors.
They hope to grow stem cells to regrow damaged tissue or treat injuries. Using mice, scientists have successfully cured Parkinson’s disease, damaged nerve tissue, and even diabetes.
Now the challenge is to do the same with humans.
Use of Stem Cells
For example, when a person is in a serious fire, they will likely have very bad
burns. Their skin will be scarred for the rest of their life. Using stem cells,
scientists think they can grow new healthy skin cells. Then they could
transplant this new skin onto the burn victim. If there is damage to a person’s
liver from heavy alcohol use, new liver cells could be grown.
The Controversy
In order to obtain enough stem cells from embryos, scientists often get them from fertility clinics.
These are medical clinics that help women become pregnant.
Sometimes, embryos are thrown in the garbage by the clinic.
The embryos can be used in research laboratories. But these embryos (usually 4~5
days old) need to be killed to access the stem cells inside. This bothers many people. Some people with strong Christian beliefs have been very outspoken against stem cell research.
They argue that a single embryonic stem cell is the
most basic form of human life.
It is like ending the life of a human being.
Due to this controversial ethical issue, in 2001, the U.S. government banned giving
federal research funding to scientists conducting embryonic stem cell research.
If scientists can find another way to get stem cells (other than by killing the embryos), they might be able to cure many of the diseases today