Stem cell use and research is considered by some as a morally ambiguous development for medical science. The topic has recently been thrown into the eye of the public after Olympic Skier Chemmy Alcott decided that storing stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta after giving birth was a worthwhile insurance plan for her potentially adrenaline-junkie baby.
In the UK, the storage of stem cells is advocated by the NHS Cord Blood Bank which asks women to donate blood from their umbilical cord and placenta after birth. The blood stored can be used in stem cell transplants and therapies in the future. There is even a company called Cells 4 Life that enables people to store their stem cells for themselves for 25 years. However, not every country supports stem cell research. In the European Union, five countries prohibit any research on the topic even though another seven are in full support.
Stem cell research is thought by many doctors and medical researchers to be the cornerstone of regenerative medicine. There are many studies into potential benefits and even cures for diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. However, some argue that research in this area has gone too far with regards to the use of stem cells in the reverse of aging.
Before entering the debate on moral uses of stem cells we must understand the fundamentals. There are multiple types of stem cell. Embryonic stem cells can develop into a vast array of cells whereas somatic stem cells (from adults) can only differentiate into a limited variety of cells. Both are capable of duplicating indefinitely. Scientists have however managed to make pluripotent stem cells, meaning they have taken stem cells from adults and reversed them to make them behave like embryonic stem cells. These cells are capable of replicating almost any cell in the body, and thus making the harvesting of embryonic stem cells obsolete. This development gives an alternative to the most debateable stem cell use, that of embryonic cells.
In 2011, the Court Justice of the European Union declared a ban on patents for research involving the destruction of human embryos, after the public became aware of the use of embryonic cells from aborted foetuses in research concerning Parkinsons disease. According to Nature Science Journal, the scientists were using the dopamine (neurotransmitter) producing cells from either foetal brains or human stem cells to replace the lack of dopamine, the primary inhibitor of movement in Parkinsons patients. This was a breakthrough in Parkinsons research, and although some think it should have been further developed, the use of embryonic cells is a tipping point for a number of stem cell research supporters.
Religious views on stem cell use are some of the prime inhibitors of research. Buddhists appear to split their views the same way as the wider world; on the one hand they wish to discover new knowledge, but also do not want to do so by harming people. According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops, there is support for ethically acceptable stem cell research. Evidently, the idea of ethical research is subjective to the religion. The Southern Baptist convention is still of the opinion that it is unacceptable to destroy a human embryo for treatments as they view abortion as an act of murder, however some think that this view is ignorant of the facts of the research at the moment. It is well-known that many of the embryos used are from miscarriages, but perhaps a compromise could involve the use of those embryos. However, in the eyes of some, that may still be considered acting as God.
This debate has not yet been settled and will not reach a conclusion for some time due to beliefs deeply rooted in religious faith. Fortunately for researchers in this field, stem cells are considered ethically acceptable to be used. The only real ban in regards to this research is on the use of embryonic cells as people will likely be debating, for years to come, the first moment one should be considered a person.
Image: PublicDomainPictures
Read the original here:
Stem cells: a miracle cure or playing God? - The Student
- Stem Cell Research Article, Embryonic Cells Information ... [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2015]
- Practical Problems with Embryonic Stem Cells [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2015]
- What are embryonic stem cells? [Stem Cell Information] [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2015]
- Embryonic stem cell - Science Daily [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2015]
- What is Wrong With Embryonic Stem Cell Research? [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Antiochian ... [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2015]
- NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry - Research Using ... [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2015]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons | HRF [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Embryonic stem cells: where do they come from and what can ... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Embryonic Stem Cells - HowStuffWorks [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2015]
- Children's Hospital Boston Glossary - Stem cell [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2015]
- 1. Embryonic Stem Cells [Stem Cell Information] [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2015]
- Embryonic stem cell - ScienceDaily [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2015]
- Researchers control embryonic stem cells with light [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2015]
- Embryonic stem cells controlled with light: Study reveals ... [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2015]
- Embryonic stem cell research: an ethical dilemma | Europe ... [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2015]
- Scientists reveal how stem cells defend against viruses [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2015]
- An Overview of Stem Cell Research | The Center for ... [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2015]
- Scientific Experts Agree Embryonic Stem Cells Are ... [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2015]
- Myths and Misconceptions About Stem Cell Research ... [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2015]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance & Differentiation (Human) [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2015]
- Are embryonic stem cells and artificial stem cells equivalent? [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2015]
- What are human embryonic stem cells used for? | Europe's stem ... [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2016]
- Stem Cell Basics I. | stemcells.nih.gov [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2016]
- Stem Cell Basics III. | stemcells.nih.gov [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2016]
- Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research - thebalance.com [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Embryonic Stem Cells and the Germ Cell Lineage | InTechOpen [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Cloning/Embryonic Stem Cells - National Human Genome Research ... [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Embryonic stem cell research - alsa.org [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Embryonic Stem Cells | Stem Cells Freak [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2016]
- Embryonic Stem Cells | stemcells.nih.gov [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2016]
- Embryonic stem cell - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2016]
- Stem-cell therapy - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2016]
- Stem cell - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2016]
- What are embryonic stem cells or ES cells? [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research - rtl.org [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2016]
- Guest View: No to embryonic stem cells - htrnews.com [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2016]
- Blood-Forming Stem Cell Transplants - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: December 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2016]
- How Embryonic Stem Cells Become Tissue Specific | TFOT [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research - An Ethical Dilemma [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- Scientists reprogram embryonic stem cells to expand their ... [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2017]
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research Threatened - Hartford Courant [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2017]
- Embryonic stem (ES) cells - eurostemcell.org [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- Researchers engineer new thyroid cells - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Yes There's Hope, But Treating Spinal Injuries With Stem Cells Is Not A Reality Yet - IFLScience [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- SEQUEIRA: Stem cell research must remain in foreground - University of Virginia The Cavalier Daily [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How does the Catholic Church resolve new bioethical questions? - The Tidings [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Possible key to regeneration found in planaria's origins - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Novel Nanofiber Matrix Improves Stem Cell Production - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Your brain's got rhythm: Synthetic brain mimics - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Nanofiber matrix sends stem cells sprawling in all directions - New Atlas [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Vitamins and aminoacids regulate stem cell biology - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- How does the Catholic Church resolve new bioethical questions? - Catholic Free Press [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- New Nanofiber Matrix Enhances Stem Cell Production - Drug Discovery & Development [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Transplanted Human Embryonic Stem Retinal Pigment Cells Survive 22 months in a Human Recipient - MedicalResearch.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Iowa GOP takes aim at research - The Daily Iowan [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Nanofiber Matrix Improves Stem Cell Growth - Asian Scientist Magazine [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- The clone armies never happened, but Dolly the sheep still changed the world - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Harvard scientist worries we're 'reverting to a pre-Enlightenment form of thinking' - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- 20 Years After Dolly the Sheep, Potential of Cloning Remains Unclear - FOX40 [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Harvard scientist worries we're 'reverting to a pre-Enlightenment form of thinking' - SCNow [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Stem cells derived neuronal networks grown on a chip as an alternative to animal testing - Science Daily [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Facts About Cloning - Live Science [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Exclusive: CBMG CEO Talks Stem-Cell Therapies, Cancer Treatments, Financials & The Chinese Market - Benzinga [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Artificial Mouse Embryo Created in Culture - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Artificial embryo grown in a dish from two types of stem cells - New Scientist [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Artificial mouse embryo created out of stem cells - BioNews [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Scientists Have Created the First Artificial Embryo Without Using an ... - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Artificial Mouse 'Embryo' Created from Stem Cells for First Time - Laboratory Equipment [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Role of Stem Cell Reprogramming Factor Uncovered - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- COMMENTARY: Saving a 10-year-old's life but at what cost? - Globalnews.ca [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- No egg? No sperm? No problem. First artificial embryo made from stem cells - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- For The First Time Ever, Scientists Have Successfully Created An ... - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2017]
- Treating sickle cell disease with gene therapy - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2017]
- Here's the first 3D glimpse of how DNA is packaged up in a single cell - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2017]
- The craftsmanship of mimicking embryogenesis in a dish - BioNews [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2017]
- Stem Cells Used to Create Artificial Embryo for the First Time Ever - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2017]
- Scientists create first 3D structure of active DNA - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2017]
- Ralph Shortey, Oklahoma Lawmaker, Hit With Child Prostitution Charges - NBCNews.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2017]