Opinion:
Stem cell research: the future is now

by Carah Hart, posted Dec. 16, 2009

Stem cell research has sparked some of the greatest political and religious debates of the past decade. Despite its reputation as an emotionally charged issue, scientists continue to create outlets for discovering ways to create and harvest stem cells.

Stem cell research is important to many people in the world, and is a critical component of developing cures for the incurable. I firmly support stem cell research, both embryonic and multipotent. I believe it will lead to many positive benefits that can enhance the quality of human life.

The United States is making strides to promote the right of embryonic stem cell use. President Barack Obama has created many opportunities for scientists and researchers to reach their full potential in their interest of stem cells.
For example, his administration recently lifted the federal ban on funding for stem cell research.

Recently, scientists with Geron Corporation in California have used embryonic stem cell therapy, the first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help patients with spinal cord injuries restore basic functions such as the ability to walk.

In the Midwest, at the University of Missouri, it has been discovered that pigs can be used for future testing of stem cell therapies, because they are similar to humans. R. Michael Roberts, the University of Missouri Curator’s Professor of animal science and biochemistry, is on the cutting edge of stem cell study.

Roberts was one of the three professors responsible for the discovery.

“Stem cell research has a bright future in regenerative and transplantation medicine to replace body tissues, but not necessarily body organs,” Roberts said.

Though stem cell research holds much promise, there are those who believe that stem cell research is morally wrong. The most controversial type of stem cell research is embryonic stem cell research. Stem cells are gathered from embryos that are developed from eggs in-vitro. When discussing the process of using an embryo to gather stem cells, the controversial topics of human cloning and abortion come into play.

There are many individuals, such as MU student Malia Bucher, who believe stem cell research is unethical.

“I believe that stem cells should not be taken from aborted fetuses, because abortion is morally wrong,” Bucher said.

Currently, hematopoietic stem cells are gathered from bone marrow to help cure diseases. Some of these diseases include leukemia and lymphoma. Adult stem cells are gathered from tissues and organs. These have the possibility to lead to cures for kidney disease in its advanced state and diabetes as well.

According to www. Stemcells.nih.gov, other diseases that could be affected by stem cell research are spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, lung diseases, arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and organ failure. It is important to remember that stem cells are obtained from not only embryos, but other places in the body as well.

Whether embryonic, adult, or multipotent stem cells, it is hard to deny the benefits and promise that stem cells hold for people with incurable diseases. I am a witness to the possible impacts of stem cell research. Having a father with Parkinson’s disease, I know that stem cell transfer is vital for his survival.

My father, David Hart, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than six years ago.

“Stem cell research will allow Parkinson’s patients to be cured by regenerating stem cells to the brain. I hope they can come up with a cure, and stem cell seems to be the most natural way to go about curing my disease other than the prescription drugs that I take,” Hart said.

I believe stem cell research is key to saving the lives of many and should be promoted through all aspects of research that does not violate one’s rights as an individual. It is essential for the curing of incurable diseases.

Dr. William Neaves, president and chief executive officer of the Stower’s Institute for Medical Research said, “The key to unlocking the self-healing potential resides in research on stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells.”

Neaves said he knows by studying these cells, scientists can learn enough to activate the potential for self-repair in ordinary body cells and cure diseases.

In a 2005 article in UMKC Perspectives, Neaves expressed optimism about the public support for early stem cell research and confidence that people who have concerns about this research will be reassured nothing is morally wrong with it once they have a chance to understand what it is and what it isn’t.

 

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