Stem Cell Technology - Research Proposal Example

? of the of the Stem cell Few science and technology issues have lit so much fire of debate as the stem cells research. Stem cells are found in almost all the multi-cellular organisms. Stem cells discovery is an astonishing development in the medical sciences which would have limitless uses in this field. These cells are unspecialized cells characterized by their ability to develop into various different types of cells in the body, for example. Stem cells are found inside the bone marrow as well as in a developing fetus and the umbilical cord. (Boiers) A stem cell can develop into a skin cell, muscle cell or a red blood cell depending on the requirement. In addition to this, stem cells also help in the internal repairing of the organs by dividing themselves endlessly to cover up for the lost or damaged cells. The new cell which is formed by the stem cell division has the ability to either become another stem cell or a cell with a particular function. Because of its functions, its biological uses are endless. Human heart muscles can be rebuilt, as well as cartilage muscles, bones, neurons and skeletal muscles. Pancreatic cells can be developed for diabetes patients, neurons for people with Alzheimer’s and bone marrow for cancer patients. These are but a few uses to mention. (Gross) Stem cell technology is the best biological step towards repairing of damaged organs as well as creating new ones. The goal of using stem cells is to strap up the chemical signals by which stem cells synchronize the development of organs of a fetus in the womb, and then repeat the process in adulthood to reshape the damaged organs into a better sustainable condition. (KU medical centre) Up till now the research has only been conducted on mice but it is believed that this technology would soon be in practice. Researchers in Washington reported that the stem cells derived from the embryos have the potential to repair organs in two ways: The stem cells either take up the place of the wounded areas or by secreting vital chemicals which help tissues to repair themselves. (Info centre) Craig Basson, director of cardiovascular research at Cornell University's Weill Medical College in New York said "Most of the work on stem cells to date has focused on how to get these cells to turn into a heart cell, a kidney cell, a bone cell or whatever it is you need,". Biological materials like bone marrow, kidneys and even heart could be created out of a stem cell thus with proper utilization and work on this technique, these materials would become abundant. Heart deformities which previously had no cure and proved to be fatal could be cured by the introduction of stem cells in the affected place as proved by the research and experiments. (KU medical centre) For the first time in the history of biological development, such a gigantic leap has been taken and it is believed, it would result in a positive turn on the life and health of the people. The future is supposed to hold a limitless reserve of the stem cells which would be readily available as per the demand of the user; the prospect of having a new pancreas as well as having your heart repaired with a few injections of stem cells is highly exciting. Abnormalities in blood cells and weak immune system in the people are constantly on the rise and even the youngsters are affected by this; stem cells offer a cure to these abnormalities. Heart diseases are the biggest problem faced by the patients around the world. (Kiessling) Most of the time, these result in death as heart transplants are exceedingly rare and repair of the organ without the stem cell is impossible. This is the reason what makes heart an expensive biological material, making the treatment of these diseases very costly. In America alone, the total cost of treating cardiovascular diseases and stroke in 2004 is estimated to reach almost $368 billion. Introduction of stem cells would be a great relief for such patients and heart disease would tend to be less lethal. When put into practice, the technology of stem cells would revolutionize the way of treatment and cure. (Maienschein)Patients would no longer be dependent upon organ transplants and materials for their survival like the transplantation of kidneys and bone marrow instead an injection of proper amount of classified stem cells would be enough to create a new organ or to repair fatal damages like cancerous tumors inside the human body. As the stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of the person, the cells developed are recognized by the immune system and hence there is no risk of the new organ being rejected. Due to the complexity of the stem cell research and lack of proper forum for debating its outcomes, it is expected that the general public has a hazy opinion about this research. However once the stem cell technology is introduced for treatment in the hospitals, it is bound to make a strong impact on the individual behavior of a person, changing how we hold our views towards medicine. Individual thinking and behavior is wide and varied regarding this technology. The number of diseases faced by the people is constantly on the rise, starting from drug addiction to diabetes and finally heart deformities. (O'Connell) With the help of stem cells, the cure would be easily available and this would promote the individuals to be less cautious towards their lives, especially the rich because they will know that even if they gain cholesterol, or catch up diabetes or get any drug-related disease, they could easily be cured with stem cells technology without having any ill effects and complications. Many controversies however surround the stem cells. While the use of stem cells would be appreciated by millions, the same number would oppose its use. Individuals have different opinions regarding this technology. Today most religions are against abortions and believe considers it equal to that of killing a life; for many, stem cell researches are another name for abortion. One church, the Presbyterian Church USA gives their support for the stem cell research and believes that the stem cell research has good aims. Taking stem cells from the embryos is considered unethical and immoral which would certainly deter millions of religious individuals from even going to a hospital! (Weiss)The opinions are different but the brighter side certainly overweighs the negative one. Scientists are completely in support of stem cell research and the governments are funding for the research. (Stem Cell Bazaar)They believe that it is very beneficial in our world where millions of people suffer from deadly diseases and die painful deaths because of them. For the young individuals, the goal of healing justifies the objections regarding embryo killing therefore they are all in for this technology and give their fervent support for the further research. Stem cell technology will make a huge impact on the individual behavior of people, for some it is like a step on the moon in biological advancements while for others it is yet another step in the direction of human killing. Thus the use to which stem cells would be implemented would create a multitude of mixed opinions and expectations. (Stem cell information) Whatever the situation, the reality of the situation remains status quo; that is we have a great distance to cover before regenerative medicine - a term used for stem cell therapy – would be used to treat a large numbers of patients. It is extremely probable that many diseases will have to wait for treatment from other types of medicine. Through strongly controlled and tightly regulated stages of trials and experiments, medical treatments will have to be tested before they can be made available to public. The first stage would deal with safety of the treatment and considerations of any side-effects which it may produce, the second phase deals with the testing of hundreds of patients while the third stage includes making statistical data produced from the results in stage two. These statistics determine whether the new technology is safe for human use or not. Therefore it is not probable that the stem cell advancement is likely to be implemented in very near future but after certain advancements when it gets introduced, it certainly will make a huge impact on the sustenance of human life. Works Cited Boiers, Charlotta. "The road to maturity (doctoral dissertation)." Gross, Terry. Stem Cell Research: Science and the Future. 14 February 2006. 26 May 2009 . Info centre. 23 04 2011 . Kiessling, Ann A. Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential. 2003: Jones and Barlett publishers, Inc., n.d. KU medical centre. Stem Cell Research Basics: Introduction. 26 May 2009 . Maienschein, Jane. "Whose View Of Life?: Embryos, Cloning and Stem Cells." Harvard University Press. O'Connell, Brian. "StreetTalk: Stem-Cell Revolution." BioPharm International (2005). Stem Cell Bazaar. October 2007. Stem cell information. 25 May 2009 . Weiss, Rick. Scientists Find New Way Stem Cells Repair Organs. 08 October 2004. 26 May 2009 . Read More