Health@Heart
The Stem Cell Controversy
Scientists, working on mouse models, have discovered that stem cell therapy could possibly help cure many common diseases that afflict man today. Some of these include stroke, spinal cord injury, heart diseases, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, osteoarthritis, retinal degeneration and blindness, rheumatoid arthritis, liver and kidney diseases, burns, type 1 diabetes, and muscular dystrophies. While the goal of the stem cell research is unquestionably laudable, and its potential benefit to mankind tremendous, the controversy centers on its ethical, moral, religious, legal and social ramifications. Basically, the grave concerns are where the stems cells will be harvested from (adult, fetus or embryo), and the possible misuse and abuse of this new technology. And I could not agree more. This evolving science merits a deep soul-searching introspection, and a serious, intense, and thoughtful deliberation to arrive at a morally, ethically, and medically sound stem cell treatment protocol that will also ensure the protection of the unborn, besides healing the sick, and at the same time preserve the dignity of humankind it seeks to serve.
What are stem cells?
The building block, the foundation cell, for every cell, tissue and organ in the body is the stem cell. Stem cells are undifferentiated, with no "specific assigned task as yet." This has been likened to a blank computer microchip that could be "programmed to perform any number of special tasks." Subjected to proper conditions, stem cells will develop into specialized tissues and organs (heart, liver, kidneys, etc). Also, stem cells are "self-sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time."
What is its practical benefit to man?
With its unique characteristics, stem cells can provide the cells to replace damaged or diseased tissues with new living cells that will regenerate into healthy, young, normally functioning tissues, in the treatment of condition like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc. as listed above, where specific parts of the organs have been damaged and rendered "non-functioning" leading to the development of the disease. Organ donation is available today but the organ supply is very limited, and the procedure is expensive, arduous, and usually complicated by rejections of the transplanted organ(s). This is where stem cell therapy has a great advantage in, according to researchers.
Where are stem cells harvested from?
We all came from a single cell, medically termed zygote, which is the product of fertilization. The zygote divides into two cells, and each of those two divides into another two cells, and so on. After about five days of conception, about 150 of those cells form a hollow ball called blastocyst, which measures smaller than a grain of sand, and contains two types of cells: trophoblast and inner cell mass. The inner cell mass is made up of embryonic stem cells, which can form all cell types, differentiating into specific tissues and organs later in the development of the fetus. Stem cells could also be found in adult body, like bone marrow stem cells from the bone marrow. Identification of adult stem cell in all vital organs has not been completed as yet. Researchers are now finding ways to induce stem cells already present in the body to grow and produce the right cell types to replace damaged ones. Some specific sources also found to have stem cells are the umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, and baby teeth.
Is adult stem cells therapy now in use?
Yes, adult stem cell replacement (like bone marrow transplantation with a matched donor), has been a well-proven effective treatment and cure for some blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma) and other blood disorders. It has also been shown that cells from the bone marrow can give rise to similar specialized cells found in many other tissues like blood, kidney, pancreas, liver, muscles and brain. Someday, we will be able to isolate our own bone marrow cells, pre-treat them, and reintroduce them back into our system to renew or repair cells in various diseased organs in our body. More amazing than that is the prospect for stem cells to "grow" new organs, like heart, liver, kidney, etc., and solve the current problem of shortfall of organ donors, and save millions and millions of lives around the world today.
But society as a whole, as early as this stage of this scientific evolution, has the moral responsibility and obligation to safeguard this new technology, and protect itself and the helpless, from potential criminal exploitation of stem cell therapy for financial gains or other heinous or depraved motives.