Stem Cell in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Research Paper Example

Medical science has no doubt about the ability of stem cell research in finding answers to some of the genetic and physical diseases. “A stem cell is a generic cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely. A stem cell has the ability to produce specialized cells for various tissues in the body, such as heart muscle, brain tissue, and liver tissue” (RightHealth Results for What Is Stem Cell). The major advantage of stem cell is that it can be saved for longer periods under suitable conditions and used later to cure some of the chronic diseases.

Stem cells are usually taken from aborted fetuses (Embryonic stem cells) and from the bloods, intestines, skin, and muscle of people including children and adults (Adult stem cells). Embryonic stem cells seem to be more effective than the adult stem cells in treating chronic diseases. However, killing fetus for taking stem cell is an ethical issue which is causing barriers in the development of stem cell research. Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves in to different types of cells through division.

It can be used to replace or repair malfunctioning or inactive cells. The above ability of stems cells in renewing and repairing inactive cells and tissues has caught the attention of medical sconce recently. Some of the major diseases which haunted medical science for years, are believed to be treated with the help of stem cells. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its adult stem cell protocol to conduct Phase I clinical trials to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), TCA Cellular Therapy, LLC announced.

This is the second FDA-approved protocol for the treatment of ALS using stem cells in the country; and the first using adult stem cells from the same patient. The aim of the Phase I study is to assess safety of IND 13729, as a stem cell therapy for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Stem cell therapy IND 13729 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in clinical trials: TCA Cellular) Most of the Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s etc are believed to be treated effectively with the help of embryonic stem cells.

These diseases are often occurred because of the malfunctioning or inactiveness of certain cells and stem cells can repair or regenerate these cells and bring back the patient into his normal life. These diseases are often caused by the loss of structure or death of neurons. According to Inou (2010), Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers' is caused by problems in cortical neurons whereas in dementia, Lewy bodies, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration is causing the disease. Parkinson disease is caused by dopaminergic neurons whereas upper and lower motor neurons cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Inou, p.2560). Neurons are responsible for gathering data from the senses and sending to the brain for analysis.

The instructions from the brain are transferred to the body organs by the neurons. If neurons fail to do its duty correctly, brain may not get the data and the body organs may not get instructions from the brain. Thus a person with neuron fault cannot lead a normal life. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS is another disease which is caused by neuron problems and it can be treated effectively with the help of stem cells. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In the