Stem cell research: applications and therapeutic potential

A Brief Overview of the Stem Cell Debate The prospect of stem cell research bears with it tantalizing promise with respect to that which the medical and scientific communities might be able to accomplish both in terms of diminishing medical pain and in terms of improving life expectancy. For those suffering such conditions as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or traumatic spinal cord injury, stem cell research has offered positive prospects for treatment of these otherwise incurable conditions. This is why there is a strong endorsement for further research on the subject from within the medical community. The understanding that stem cells are capable of transforming into healthy functional cells of almost any type means that where conditions have occurred because of the death or deficiency of cells, this could be a promising way of performing transplant. Today, there is a consensus on the acceptable use of adult stem cells, though these have treatment limitations because most of these cells have already differentiated to perform specific cell functions. In contrast, embryonic stem cell research provokes a great deal more controversy and have invoked legal challenge leading to the previous Bush administration's ban on public funding there for. This perspective would feed into the belief that the far more useful and potentially mutable embryonic stem cell was harvested from a potentially viable fetus. Though this is, of course, never the case, anti-stem cell research activists affiliate this issue as a slippery slope with the abortion issue. However, to my perspective, this is an incredibly inhumane politicization of a prospect which could save many lives and reduce much suffering. Obstruction to advancement in this field are short-sighted and cruel. The condition of cystic fibrosis is a good example of a condition where the effective use of embryonic stem cell research would be considered a means to reducing much pain in its sufferers. Here, the dysfunction of the secretory glands creates excessive mucous production and can result in life-shortening respiratory and developmental issues. If embryonic stem cells are differentiated and transplanted to produce healthy, functional secretory glands in the sufferer, this serious and distressful condition could be diminished in presence. This denotes the potentially broad-based benefits to pushing forward with research, in spite of the fringe population who would aspire to foist its spiritual ideologies upon the legal and scientific institutions of this country.