Stem Cells

We are in a world that is technologically advanced which raises many issues that are sensitive to religion, culture and people. There are so many questions left unanswered. Questions like: What if doctors could grow new nerves for paralyzed victims, or new hearts and kidneys for patients? Is this research going too far or is it a scientific breakthrough?

A stem cell is a certain type of cell that has the capability to develop into different types of cells. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and adult stem cells. Stem cells can come from resources like the umbilical cord of a newborn baby; they can also grow in cultured dishes for a limited time or even in baby teeth. Not only that but they can be found in various tissues throughout the human body. There are many ways to collect stem cells today from various areas.

Stem cells are now being used to treat leukemia and some joint repairs. So a bone-marrow transplant is done by inserting stem cells from a healthy donor into the bloodstream of the patient. Stem cells from bone marrows have the ability to repair the liver. So there is some hope for victims of incurable diseases. Now researchers are studying stem cells to find out if they could correct brain damage from Parkinson's disease.

There are many benefits to stem cells. For one thing, we might be able to gain the ability to duplicate different organs or tissues in the body. So those who have cancer, paralysis or kidney failure etc. might have a chance at having a healthy body. Although, adult stem cells are difficult to obtain because they are fewer in number compared to embryonic stem cells. Also stem cells will not only try to duplicate parts but be able to cure diseased parts as well.

With any new scientific development there are always new moral questions being raised. Stem cells can obviously help many people if the proper technology is developed, and the procedure perfected. There are concerns about how they are developing the technology and experimenting to see what happens. Stem cell research must prove that the risks are reasonable in relation to potential personal and societal benefits. The National Bioethics Advisory Commission in the United States says that people who participate in studies should be cared for and compensated if harmed.

With all the research involved there are more and more questions being answered. Now scientists are developing additional ways to use stem