Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research | Adult Cells

Some of you might know that the State of California has a stem-cell institute (obviously for exploring the Pros of Stem Cell Research). But, as a state run institute, it is of course subject to the occasional audit from the state. It has come under criticism for being a little too liberal with it’s spending. The institute for stem cell research had very vague policies that led to abuse in travel and other expenses. These include chauffeured rental cars, lavish lunches, longer vacation and first-class airfare. They’re also under fire for not seeking competitive bids for services rendered to the research institute.

Honestly, I’m not sure how this affects the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research, but it could potentially affect the bureaucracy over policies for state run (or even federally managed) stem cell research institutes. It seems like theres always someone that does stupid stuff that makes everything more of a headache for everyone else.

I first read about the story here.

I realized that I have just been blogging about stem cells in general. While I don’t think that is bad, even important at times, the purpose of this blog is to list the different sides of the debate. Many of us know that the center of the debate of the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research revolves around embryonic stem cells and if they are just as good. But, there is another side that isn’t on the forefront, but has a lot of implications in the debate. That is whether or not Adult Stem Cells have as many capabilities as Embryonic Stem Cells. For many years the debate was fueled by the embryonic advocates saying that Adult Stem Cells weren’t really capable of turning into other types of cells and were therefore limited in what they could become. Well, allow me to list the reasons why many in the scientific world are changing their mind.

It should be noted that more money is given to Adult Stem Cell Research (the NIH gave $190 Million last year compared to the $24.8 million given for Embryonic Stem Cells). But, what many of the Adult Stem Cell critics are missing is that they have been used in many treatments. 72 adult stem cell treatments have been performed at last count, while a whopping 0 have been performed from Embryonic Stem Cells. Adult stem cells are used in bone-marrow transplants and even treat certain cases of leukemia and other blood disorders. There are also treatments being made for heart attacks, liver, bone and brain diseases and disorders.

“Osiris, which grew out of research by scientists at Case Western University in Cleveland, is using stem cells from bone-marrow donors to target, among other maladies, heart disease, specifically heart attacks. It is in early-stage human testing of a therapy in which heart-attack patients are intravenously injected with stem cells that are said to migrate to the heart and replace damaged cells.” - The Washington Post

John Hopkins University Professor, Saul J. Sharkis, who has mad advances in Adult Stem Cell Research, was very surprised at what has been accomplished in Adult Stem Cell Research. He says, “It is mind-blowing stuff,” and “I never would have thought this would be possible … Preposterous. Not Possible. No Way.”

Obviously many in the scientific community are excited and surprised by these findings. If this really is the answer, it could be the end to the debate over the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research as we know it. It is definitely an exciting possibility that has already yielded some great successes.

As I was going through the Internet reading up on stem cell research, I came across another article on another blog. Heres what I found out:

Justine Asher, a 35 year old paraplegic, was allegedly told that she could be healed by a stem cell treatment. She is now suing the Cape Town Businessman and his girlfriend for performing this completely illegitimate procedure. Not only was the treatment which they formulated completely “unsafe” and “untested” but the defendants Stephen van Rooyen and Laura Brown were on the FBI’s most wanted list for similar scams before.

To make matters worse, Asher is now haunted by the fact that during the procedure she may have contracted HIV or other diseases. Asher, who has undoubtedly spent a lot of her money on medical expenses (electronic wheelchairs, wheelchair transportation, Doctor Visits, Medical Assistants, the list goes on and on) was cheated out of her money and potentially infected by a disease that could kill her.

What a sad commentary on humanity and how low people will stoop to earn a quick buck. In my opinion, scams like this are some of the worst types of things that we will hear about associated with the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research.

So I can’t stress it enough: Research, Research, Research. Please do your research on stem cell treatment, your physician, etc. I imagine that this unlucky woman wishes that she had done a little bit more research of her own.

As I’ve been looking around the internet, I found an article that I think really highlights the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research. For your reference, I read this blog. To sum it up, the article discusses how in Ukraine, women who reported giving birth to healthy babies later found out that their babies had been taken by the maternity staff. The reason? They were taken for their stem cells.

I certainly hope that most all of us would agree that this is without question blatantly wrong and disturbing. It is sad that for the cause of research to “help humanity” that we are kidnapping babies for stem cells. But what I would like to focus on is the attitudes of those who commented on the blog. As you read through the blog you read of some who say “Wow, it’s disturbing once they’re born, but it’s okay if they’re aborted…?” While, there are others who defend the abortion and say that the cells harvested from a mother are the mother’s body and therefore her decision. The purpose of this blog is to not pick sides, and I will continue to make every effort to leave my personal opinions at the door. But, I do think it’s interesting that this article which speaks of the atrocities performed in the name of stem cell research is turned into the same debate on abortion vs. no abortion. Essentially when it comes right down to it the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research rests more on your opinion of what is right and what is wrong and a little less on the science of it. Few will actually deny that stem cell research has great potential in the future of medicine. But, some also wonder if the pros are worth the cons in the debate. Aside from those who conspired to steal the babies, few will argue that helping mankind now is worth destroying our future. The difference lies in what we believe our future to be. Ultimately that is the Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research.