I was browsing the tastiest book marks on the web, aka D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S, and stumbled across an article on how a patient had recovered their eyesight through the use of stem cell treat
ment. One question kept circling my mind; to what extent
can man play God? Before posting uneducated conjectures of this issue, I decided to play it safe and do some background research. If I haven’t caught your attention so far, read on....
Embryonic Cells
Note, that not all stem cell research involve creating, using and destroying of human embryos. Although in recent years the media has had a strong outlook on the topic of embryonic stem cell research. But why use embryonic cells and not other cell types? The answer lays in the embryonic stem cells maturity and their potency. Unlike other cells, embryonic stem cells are subjected to differentiating to any other type of cells needed by the human body. This offers medical treatment for a range of conditions, such as extensive repair of human tissue, degeneration conditions and genetic diseases. The drawback is that to be able to use embryonic stem cell treatment, embryonic cells need to be first generated through in vitro fertility (IVF). IVF tends to generate allot of unused embryonic stem cells that are discarded. This raises many sensitive issues. But first let’s look at some alternative solutions.
Embryonic Cells
Note, that not all stem cell research involve creating, using and destroying of human embryos. Although in recent years the media has had a strong outlook on the topic of embryonic stem cell research. But why use embryonic cells and not other cell types? The answer lays in the embryonic stem cells maturity and their potency. Unlike other cells, embryonic stem cells are subjected to differentiating to any other type of cells needed by the human body. This offers medical treatment for a range of conditions, such as extensive repair of human tissue, degeneration conditions and genetic diseases. The drawback is that to be able to use embryonic stem cell treatment, embryonic cells need to be first generated through in vitro fertility (IVF). IVF tends to generate allot of unused embryonic stem cells that are discarded. This raises many sensitive issues. But first let’s look at some alternative solutions.
Alternative Solutions
With concerns of sparking further controversial debate over the morality and ethical attitude towards stem cell research, researchers are working on techniques of isolating stem cells that are as potent as embryonic stem cells that do not require a human embryo. Researchers believe that human skin cells can be coaxed to "de-differentiate"and revert to an embryonic state, although more studies are needed to be carried out. It has been found that the fluid surrounding the fetus contains potent stem cells. Lastly researchers are working on techniques of reprogramming adult stem cells to behave differently, the trouble with skin these cells is that they are subjected to DNA abnormalities caused by toxins and sunlight. Although researchers are working on better techniques it may be some time until they are perfected.
Ethical Issues
There are many opinions on whether Embryonic debate is ethical, personally I think it should not be allowed as the destruction of an embryo is in fact killing the potential of a living human. Some believe embryos are not equivalent to human life while they are still incapable of surviving outside of the womb. Others question that if abortions are legal why can't they be used for medical research? These and other questions have no one solution and may have a varying opinion form person to person. I encourage you to broaden your knowledge and make an educated opinion on your understanding of stem cell research, until next time :p
References
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