Introduction
Human stem cells have remarkable potential of developing into the many different kinds of cells in the human body. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is living (Kalra & Tomar, 2014). Stem cell research has however been a cause of major debate, with some quarters against it, while others fully support it. Therefore, this paper will research current discourse concerning the research and use of human stem cells to determine which of these sides holds better promise for the health sector.
Stem Cell Research
Stem cells can be distinguished from other cells by two main qualities; first, stem cells are unspecialized cells able to renew themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity (Liras, 2010). Two, stem cells can differentiate into different types of specialized cells. Scientists anticipate using stem cells to expand the available knowledge on human biology and develop new and innovative medical practices such as grafting and gene therapy (Liras, 2010).
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The different types of stem cells are embryonic stem (ES) cells found in human embryos, embryonic germ (EG) cells isolated from an aborted foetus, and adult stem cells found in different organs and tissues of the human body. ES cells can come from embryos created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) procedure, otherwise called therapeutic cloning (Lo and Parham, 2009). ES cells from embryos created via SCNT procedures raise ethical issues such as whether the procedure may open the door to the use of cloning for reproductive purposes. It also raises issues about creating embryos for research purposes only (Sugarman, 2008). The basic argument involves the status of the human embryo. While many believe embryos are human individuals, others believe there are a mere cluster of cells.
A number of advantages have been identified in the use of stem cell research. One, it provides medical benefits in the field of therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine. Two, it provides great potential for discovering treatment and cures to a variety of diseases including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, diabetes and many more. Also, limbs and organs could be grown in a laboratory and used for transplants or to treat illnesses. It will also help scientists to learn about human growth and cell development. Scientists will be able to test millions of drugs and medicine without the use of animals and human testers. The study of development stages that cannot be studied directly in a human embryo will also benefit from stem cell research. Such a study will bring about a better understanding of normal human development and thus prevention or treatment of abnormal human development (Yu and Han, 2016).
Weaknesses identified from the use of stem cell research include, the use of embryonic stem cells for research involves destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory fertilized human eggs. For people who accept as true that life begins at conception, the blastocyst is a human life, and its destruction is immoral and unacceptable. Also, like any other technology, the long term effect of such interference with nature is unknown and could materialize. According to a new research, a stem cell therapy that was used on a patient with a heart disease was found to make their coronary arteries narrower. Lastly, a patient’s body may reject embryos from another source as they are not their own (Hackett and Fortier, 2011).
Conclusion
It is agreeable to use pro human stem cells research. This is because the positives far outnumber the demerits, and despite a number of ethical challenges, the vast possibilities in the area of medical therapies would greatly benefit numerous patients.
References
Kalra, K., & Tomar, P. (2014). Stem Cell: Basics, Classification and Applications.
American Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Therapeutics , 27 , 919-930.
Liras, A. (2010). Future research and therapeutic applications of human stem cells:
general, regulatory, and bioethical aspects. Journal of translational medicine , 8 (1), 131.
Sugarman, J. (2008). Human stem cell ethics: beyond the embryo. Cell Stem Cell , 2 (6), 529-533.
Lo, B., & Parham, L. (2009). Ethical issues in stem cell research. Endocrine reviews , 30 (3), 204-213.
YU, Z. Y., & HAN, B. S. (2016). Advantages and limitations of the parthenogenetic embryonic
stem cells in cell therapy. Journal of Reproduction and Contraception , 27 (2), 118-124.
Hackett, C. H., & Fortier, L. A. (2011). Embryonic stem cells and iPS cells: sources and
characteristics. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice , 27 (2), 233-242.
