We all have heard about it, the experiments on human fetus embryos, the regeneration and invigoration of human cells, the cure to many cell-damaged related diseases, but what is it that keeps stem cell research a controversial topic, and furthermore, are the reasons against it justified?
But what actually is a ‘stem cell’? According to the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH), “A stem cell is a cell that has the ability to divide (self replicate) for indefinite periods . . . Under the right conditions, or given the right signals, stem cells can give rise (differentiate) to the many different cell types that make up the organism. That is, stem cells have the potential to develop into mature cells that have characteristic shapes and specialized functions, such as heart cells, skin cells, or nerve cells.”
Stem cell research hasn’t yet brought about any direct cures for any existing diseases but this is mostly in part to the resistance it has met in advancing its research. Even at it’s early stages of experimenting and understanding, scientists believe that a few of the cures that it can provide are for heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and perhaps even spinal cord regeneration.
Funding for stem cell research is limited to strictly funding in the U.S. due to the restrictions placed upon it in 1995 by Congress with the Dickey Amendment. The religious establishment was the main cog in the suppression movement against this research. Their main purpose for being strongly opposed it is for their belief of protecting life and not using already aborted babies/and unborn babies for scientific advancements. However, embryonic stem cells can actually be taken from amniotic fluid which doesn’t harm the fetus. With developments that can prolong and improve existing lives, does the good outweigh the good? I believe in this case the answer is clear, stem cells will be highly regarded in the future, but how much longer will we keep it from helping us now?
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4757
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/07/11/gupta.debrief.otsc/index.html
http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/
Extra Credit:
Childhood/Early Adulthood Issues:
http://www.slc.edu/adult-professional/cdi/learning/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDw587QkYq4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gZMmuYenqI&feature=related
Other Cultures:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b50_1188117332 (5 Part series of North Korean Childhood)
http://myperiodblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/children-underground-documentary-romanian-street-children/
(I could direct source the videos if need be)
*Interesting side note/film, full UC Berkeley Pysch-Lecures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MvOwqNB_CQ&playnext=1&list=PL44522F6EB06B315A
