First of all, what are stem cells?
Think of stem cells as cells that can be developed into more
complex cells to serve a whole range of different functions.
Stem cell therapy could be an option for a patient; this
therapy would involve replacing old dysfunctional cells with new ones. They could
be used in treating various cancers, heart disease or even treating visual
impairments. However these may require the use of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic
stem cells are stem cells that come from the inner mass of a blastocyst. These
then undergo cell differentiation.
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| Formation of Embryonic Stem Cells |
Even though the embryos for this area of research are kindly
donated from IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) programmes, there is much controversy
surrounding the ethics of such stem cells. At current some countries have
stricter rules over the research and use of embryonic stem cells. It would not
be a surprise if another ethical debate arose whereby people, who could be
saved with these embryonic stem cell therapies, could not get the treatment due
to the politics imposed in their country of residence. This could give rise to
the use of private practice hospitals exploiting others in need in foreign countries.
However there could be a future in mainstream medicine for stem cells with the
use of stem cells that derive from cells found in the body after embryonic development,
these cells are undifferentiated and can multiply to replace dying cells. This
branch of stem cell research is not considered controversial as there is no
impact or destruction of embryos.
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