The Pluripotent Stem Cells Research - Essay Example

? Health sciences and medicine Topic: Stem Cell Research Introduction Stem cells may be described as cells with the potential to differentiate into different cell types of the body (NIH, 2012). They are classified into two classes based on the differentiation potential. The pluripotent stem cells also referred as embryonic cells have the ability to differentiate into every cell of the body while the multipotent (adult) stem cells can only differentiate into multiple cells but not all cell lineages in the body. Research on stem cells spans a broad range of scientific and medical fields. In the recent time, stem cell research has emerged as an innovative yet controversial technology aimed at revolutionizing the medical field (Behr et al., 2010). Stem cell research borrows from the body’s intrinsic capacity to regenerate/repair diseased or injured tissues. This research has been stretched in a more established understanding of diseases which present complex progress in their pathology such as juvenile diabetes, cancer, Parkinson disease among other diseases significant in human health. Debate surrounding stem cell revolves on the source of the stem cell. Major sources of these cells are from extra embryo generated through by IVF. These embryos are preserved to extract embryonic stem cells lines that are amenable in various stem cell therapies as well as further research. Thesis statement; Stem cell research is ethically justified for health improvement because of its wide application in major human diseases in therapies and research One major justification for continued research on stem cells is because of their huge potential in resolving challenges already existing in organ transplants. Many of the diseases such as leukemia, liver and kidney diseases usually require organ transplant and with the problem of organ compatibility with recipient immune system and also the availability of potential donor, stem cell research may provide a solution. This will entail stem cell being used to produce organs which are compatible with the recipient. In the long time organ transplants may prove cheaper than and not as complex as it is today. One of the successful application of stem cell research in organ transplant as it exists today is the bone marrow transplant to treat blood-related disorders (Storb, 2003). Another important aspect of continued stem cells research is their ability to offer a myriad of opportunities in understanding various biological processes in the body such as birth defects, genetic abnormalities and as such may provide solution or possible avenues of preventing or reducing the risk of these conditions. For instance, stem cell research may produce large number of a particular type of a cell which may be used to test the efficacy of a given novel drug. Such tests may include and not limited to toxicity and bioavailability. Although researchers have two alternatives sources of stem cells, adult and embryonic stem cells, embryonic stem cells have more potential than adult stem cells in developing into any cell in the adult human being as opposed to adult stem cells. Therefore, despite the controversy they remain the preferred choice for stem cell research. Opponents of stem cell research argue on the sanctity of human life and support their opposition by arguing that life start at conception. However, an in-depth understanding of the processes surrounding the conception may prove them wrong. The controversial ‘ball’ of cell’ called blastula may arguably not be presented as human life and bestowed equal status to a human fetus. This is because it has the ability to either divide into two to form two individuals –identical twins or fuse to form one individual. Hence, the embryo harvested during IVF process may not actually represent human beings rather they can be an equivalence of human tissues put into good use. This understanding propels the stem cell research community into utilizing embryonic cells in improving human health. Another reason which will justify the use of stem cell research especially the use of embryonic stem cells is the status of embryos disposed following abortion. It is becoming a reality that many countries all over the world have set laws to allow procurement of abortions. Instead of these embryos being destroyed, it is imperative that they be used to maintain a stem cell line which will be in place for treatment of a number disease conditions and also research. Studying stem cells which are genetically matched to terminal diseases such as Parkinson’s diseases and type II diabetes will assist researchers to map out the complex medical conditions associated with these diseases. Therefore stem cell research provides, as envisioned by Hyun (2010), “disease-in-a-dish” model for understanding disease progression. Traditional methods such as observation of patients and use of animal models have been the benchmark of understanding complicated and life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. However with the advent and progression of stem cell research, researcher will be well equipped on their side with stem technology which will afford them a chance to test safety and efficacy of drugs by using human embryonic cells and iPS cells which are specific for disease of interest. It is by adapting stem cell technology in tissue cultures of human cells that the risks associated with research on human subjects will be significantly trimmed. Scientific research on stem cell is a real promise in ameliorating human health. There have been key areas in understanding of human health such as early human development, the biological factors behind congenital defects observed in newborns as well as a fundamental understanding of the role of stem cells in the pathologies of some cancers which remain unclear (Hurlbut, 2005). Such is the huge expectations bequeathed in stem cell research to unmask these areas. Another yet justifiable use of stem cells in the improvement of health may stem from the reason behind their application, which is to save lives. Opponents of stem cell research argue on the preservation of human life at the embryonic stage but ignore or forget that even now stem cell research aims at preserving human life. On one hand stem cell research does not advocate for continued sourcing of human embryos –commercialization – but the utilization of already existing embryos from IVF and abortion procedures as sources of embryonic stem cells lines. This argument waters down opponent view of destruction of embryos since in essence these embryos from IVF and abortion are destined for destruction. Thus, the main goal of stem cell research is to make use of embryos destined for destruction but not source embryos purely for use in stem cell research. Stem cell research may hold the key in many aspects of human health such as in tissue transplant and treatment of cancer. However, issues raised by those who counter stem cell research can be termed ‘narrow’. This stems from the description of stem cell research as morally wrong since according to the King-Tak (2009), it attempts ‘to remake what it is to be human’. However, as the stem cell research progresses towards the clinic, potential controversies will always spring from many fronts. This cannot be wished away since human subjects have their morals status, rights and interests which may be infringed as stem cell research progresses. The cost associated with liver, kidney diseases and diabetes as some of the diseases that stem cell research is promising to counteract is immense. Therefore, utilizing stem cell to study the pathogenesis of these diseases in human cells which are better models than animal models is in itself beneficial for us all. Therefore in full support of stem cell research, the destruction of a few embryos to save millions of lives and reduce the economic and social burden to the population may be regarded as quite noble. Controversy in stem cell research seems to emerge from the source of the stem cells whether from human embryonic cells or iPS. Arguments and opinions surrounding the source of these cells are based on personal and religious perspective of an individual. Opposition towards the stem cell research based on stem cell source may be rooted in some quotas of the society from misinformation on the benefits of stem cell in human health. It should be noted however that the potential of stem cell research continues to gather enthusiasm as novel technologies such as iPS aimed at scaling down complex controversies emerges (Zarzeczny and Caulfield, 2009). It is true as much as this work support stem cell research; there are those who may have opposing views in regard to this topic. The first and the most used argument against stem cell is the entity of human and its sanctity. This argument should be countered with a sober understanding as to when human life starts. If it is at conception as opponents argue, then even at present not all embryos have a chance to form a human being and a proportion are lost. Opponents also argue on the overestimation of the potential of stem cells and also researchers do not shed light on any setbacks which stem cells may carry along. Conclusion In conclusion, stem cell research may present great opportunities in resolving major human health challenges in this millennium. However as cutting-edge technology such as stem cell gains ground, controversies will always arise as the public contends on how to manage expectations related to these technologies. On other hand proponents and experts in stem cell research will labor to scrutinize issues raised concerning stem cell research and its application in health. There may be positive application of stem cell research as mentioned in this work, but these benefits will be fully realized once the fundamental moral principles of the society are in line with this research. This work, thus, reiterates the massive benefits which could be achieved as stem cell research progresses and proposes a more informed health debate on the area to inform the public and disperse controversies which may have gained ground due to misinformation or misunderstanding in the general public. Reference Behr, B., Ko, S.H., Wong, V.W., Gurtner, G.C. and Longaker, M.T. (2010). Stem cells. Plast Reconstr Surg. 126 (4):1163-71. Hurlbut, W.B. (2008). L. Ostnor (ed.), Stem Cells, Human Embryos and Ethics: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (Chapter six) - Stem Cells, Embryos and Ethics: Is There a Way Forward? © Springer Science, 71-81. Hyun, I. (2010). The bioethics of stem cell research and therapy. J Clin Invest. 120(1):71-75. King-Tak, I ed. 2009. The Bioethics of Regenerative Medicine. New York: Springer: 3 NIH. (2012). Stem cell information, http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs Storb, R. (2003). Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Exp Hematol, 31:1-10. Zarzeczny, A. and Caulfield, T. (2009). Emerging Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Associated with Stem Cell Research and the Current Role of the Moral Status of the Embryo. Stem Cell Rev and Rep, 5:96-101. Read More