Stem Cell Research: The Importance In-behind Maintaining Funding - Essay Example

You're 24 April 2006 Stem Cell Research: The Importance In-behind Maintaining Funding The arguments against and for stem cell research have been on-going for a number of years now. Those for it argue that this research is a key in finding the cure for diseases that, without it would never be cured. Those opposed argue that it goes against all moral and ethical ideas built upon humanity. The protestors claim that there is nothing good to be found in doing research off of a life that was not given the chance to even begin, yet others argue that life was not even present when the stem cells were taken. Of course the discussion is centered upon the majority of stem cells being obtained from aborted fetuses and embryos, which for many is not an acceptable action, even in the name of science and research. The fact is that this type of scientific research can ultimately lead to better medical care for patients who are burn victims, cancer survivors, pulmonary patients, heart patients, as well as being beneficial in other medical arenas. Stem cell research might one day hold the cure to Parkinson's disease, diabetes, or even Alzheimer's, and possibly cancer as well (Dossier 2005). However, the Bush Administration has put a limit onto what type of funding this research can acquire. Also, the Administration publicly announced that embryonic stem cells could only be derived from discarded embryos prior to August 9, 2001 (Dossier 2005). Beyond that there would be no funding in that category of stem cell research, at least not embryonic. Some people (especially scientists) feel outraged by being restrained in this manner, but the Bush Administration claims that continuing taking stem cells from embryos is totally unethical and immoral, and he has a great following of civilians backing him on this position. So, regardless of the possibilities, embryonic stem cell research can only go so far because the funding is so very limited. Unless a change takes place and this specific part of stem cell research can prove that there is a good and ethical purpose that can also help humanity, then it is going to come to a dead end eventually. For those in favor of this research it is a depressing situation but for those who disagree with it, they take it is a godly win for the Christians of the world. The failure here is people not seeing the good that can come of it, yet there is still time and still funding to make progress to prove the points of embryonic stem cell research. Right now, it is a fact that stem cell research has the power of generating a technique that could generate new skin for burn victims, or even repair the corneas of the eyes when individuals have suffered severe chemical burns to the eyes (Hands 2006). Just these two possibilities alone is enough to have researchers claim that stem cell research is worth any type of negative publicity or disapproval from a percentage of people in surrounding communities, and even around the globe. The funding these research institutions receive is necessary to guarantee that one day there will be therapeutic treatments available to treat life threatening diseases, and that time is not so far away. Right now scientists have already been able to create miniature livers from stem cells, in hopes that pharmaceutical companies will be able to develop new drugs from them (Hands 2006). They are also on the cutting edge of developing a way to re-grow stem cells that are found within the limbus region of the eye so that there will be a guaranteed way to save the eyesight of those who have sustained an injury to the eye. It is asked how the people who disapprove of this research now would feel if they were ever in the hot seat and needed skin due to being burned or were told they were going to lose their sight due to an injury Would they then still be so opposed Many public figures state that they don't think it is very likely that they would. In New Castle, New England, there is just as much opposition against stem cell research as there is in the United States itself. The chair of one of the Institutes for Stem Cell Research in New England wants to rebuff claims that the research is only going to support efforts to clone, and other unethical scientific experiments. However, Michael Whittaker (the head chair of the Institute, mentioned) made the following statement in an attempt to prove the validity into Stem Cell Research to any and all opposed to its efforts. Embryonic Stem Cell Research is what always makes the headlines and what creates the most controversy. However, stem cell research is so much more than that. We've got around 14 research teams and only two or three of those are concentrating on embryonic stem cell research. Our Cloning research only makes up 5% of the work going on here. (Hands 2006). The point Mr. Whittaker is making is that the funding that is received is not going to those scientific projects that people are so opposed to in extremes. It is more reverently used to help in finding cures to deadly and incurable diseases or for those people who have suffered severe traumatic accidents on their bodies and need specific repair, such as to the skin, eyes, extremity, or a possible organ transplant. Stem Cell research has opened the door to the possibility that one day organs might be able to be cloned and work the same as the real organ. This would save so many lives and keep people from having to sit on waiting lists, possibly to never receive an organ transplant. Funding is essential, beneficial, and meaningful to society in this aspect of its continuing study. Stem cells developed from adult or, somatic cells are closer than ever to becoming available to offer treatment for patients in a therapeutic means. So why then would funding be taken away from a science so rich in possibilities It could be that people simply do not know enough about it and are making claims unnecessarily. The funding going into this research will one day make a difference in so many lives, which is what delegates its purpose. Nevertheless, there are still those who are opposed to any form of this type of research and then there are those who are questioning of simply how ethical it really is. One parish in Illinois has taken it upon itself to call together a group of medical experts, actually in the church itself to discuss the pro's and con's of stem cell research and whether or not it is ethical to continue funding such a research program. One of the speakers, Reverend Kevin O'Rourke has written over 100 papers on the ethics surrounding health and medical care (Pohl-Zane 2006). As of late his focus has been on genetic research testing, surrogate decisions, and physician assisted suicide, so he is a great public speaker to debate the ethics and take in the considerations of stem cell research. The position of the Catholic Church has always been to sustain life and it is possible that O'Rourke and others might be coming to the conclusion that stem cell research does promote and protect life in a certain respect. At the same time it can't be forgotten that the life this research will possibly have the ability to give is coming from life that was taken away, so that is an upsetting ethical equation for many, especially the Catholic religion (Pohl-Zane 2006). However O'Rourke and members of the parish keep an open mind when discussing the theorization of stem cell research, neither saying that funding should be taken away or that it should be entirely given either. They seem to be a curious, yet neutral party. As was briefly touched upon, the Bush Administration is not for any more embryonic cells being used for this form of scientific research. However, President Bush has been the first president to ever offer funding of any form for the study of stem cell research (Dossier 2005). This speaks highly of his personal character and in his hopes of seeing something come to light out of this science. In any regard, if the President of a country is going to have an open mind on such ground-breaking research, the whole country should keep a clear mind as well and be open to the possibility that it could be a very wonderful thing for humanity, instead of assuming it is wholly bad. In fact the main reason funding should continue is so that these medical possibilities could come into light and help those who need it. Is that not a good and humane thing Protestors of embryonic stem cell research state, human embryos are not just a mass of tissue, or a cluster of systematic cells, but rather they are the beginnings of a tiny life (Shoemaker 2005). Opposition to this research provides written claim that scientists in the field of this study hold little to no value for that life which might have been but simply characterize it for the scientific credibility it gives to the research. This is why those against further embryonic research feel that this area of science should not receive any more funding after what they have ceases. Until they can learn the value of life then they don't need to play with it, is how many citizens and public figures feel. Nevertheless, that does not change the capabilities of this research, which has been mentioned time and time again in this literature. There are times when what is considered to be immoral is done for the higher good of humanity, yet many are failing to see that philosophy of science. Scientists state that it is the embryo itself which provides the most viable stem cells for the research being done. They gain the most effective results and acquire essential data through this study, again for the betterment of humanity. As has been stated repeatedly, this is the main purpose and definitive reason why federal funding is so very important to this field of science. Human beings have searched long and hard for a way to minimize upon injured and sick people's pain and now, this is an opportunity that is showing good probable results of making that happen, yet people are hesitant. For every good in mankind there has to be an adversity as well, that is how life is, and how it has become. Embryonic stem cell research is a miracle science, one with the hope to cure the ill and mend the injured in a way that modern day medicine has yet had the ability to do. There are many who mistakenly believe that it is a fetus, already developed, which is having stem cells removed, when in reality it is actually still a small cluster of unformed, and unfeeling cells being utilized (Shoemaker 2005). It is perhaps the idea of what those cells would eventually become that is so daunting for many to get past, and in many ways this is understandable even to those who are the ones doing the work in embryonic stem cell research. Pro-Life Activists claim that stem cell research is just as bad as abortion as both are an act of destroying a life that could have existed. That is the main moral and ethical problem in the whole idea of stem cell research (Shoemaker 2005). However, what is the posed debate and question at hand is whether or not the gathered research is substantial enough and powerful enough to surpass the negativities and allow for the need to gain continuing funding. Many powerful representatives of states, as well as government heads think that it is. Stem cell research provides the ability to be able to cultivate one cell and develop human tissue, blood, nerves and muscles, allowing for the possibility of cell transplants to assist in the treatment of leukemia, Parkinson's disease, and on to heart disease as well. These are just three of the areas that could be benefited by the use of stem cell research (Shoemaker 2005). Even so, at the same time these same cells have the ability to go through fission and fusion. They can either be left to grow and develop into twin fetuses or one single fetus. This is where the ethics of it all keep coming into play. Even though these cells are not fully formed and functioning human organisms of yet, they would be. It seems that life not yet formed must be reversed in order to sustain life already living, but isn't that depreciating the main point of it all. Science is trying to save lives, yet at the same time it is destroying life as well. However, there are so many unwanted children in the world, and these cells, which would have been babies, were not wanted by their donors. What life would they have had with no one to care for them That is another part of the question that has to be asked as well. Another one of the promising possibilities of stem cell research is the high probability that it will lead to a cure to Huntington Disease, a rare disorder of the brain (Walker 2006). The saddest thing about this degenerative and genetic illness is the fact that there is not even a therapeutic treatment available for it, let alone a cure. Therefore, any patient who suffers with this horrible disease truly understands the meaning in behind the word, "pain". There is no logical reason why a person should have to deal with such a dehabilitating illness with no type of reprieve. Modern medicine hasn't even come close to finding a treatment regimen to assist the sufferers of this illness effectively. HD gradually affects an individual's ability to engage in all of the things we ordinarily take for granted such as, walking, talking, and reasoning effectively. The impact it puts on the family members is severe because there is nothing that they can do to help their loved one. The most noticeable and progressive signs and symptoms of the illness are, forgetfulness, clumsiness, involuntary twitching, and lack of coordination, concentration, and short term memory capabilities gradually diminish as well. However, there is hope for this illness and its sufferer's as stem cell research has made great strides in attempting to find a treatment through its various experiments with stem cells and their regeneration processes. There are high hopes that one day soon; there might even be a cure for this disease. Stem cell research scientists are currently searching for away to slow the progression of the disease, and delay the initial onset of it as well. Since it is a genetic disease, children of parents that carry the gene are at high risk of inheriting the disease. This disease does not skip generations. Effective therapies are already being investigated by the research given from stem cell studies. This is just another reason why the federal funding is very detrimental to the science of stem cell research. There are so many possibilities and avenues that never existed before this science was founded. It truly is amazing what it has the potential of being able to achieve. As has been stated, stem cell research does not necessarily have to focus on the use of embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are now becoming easier to obtain and are proving to be fruitful in the study and possible treatment regimens for severe diseases that currently don't have substantial therapies. Right now there is a funding possibility of $20 million dollars into this type of research but the main abundance of it will stay in the control of governmental hands (Ward 2006). The main reason in-behind this philosophy is to guarantee to the public that the funds will not be used for embryonic research, but solely on the adult stem cells which is second best. In fact the study of Adult stem cells might be the wisest as there have been no recorded failures of this research compared to numerous failures in embryonic stem cell research. The Governor of Baltimore made an open statement to religious groups in the state of Maryland, in regards to the funding for this research. He did so to put their fears at rest by ensuring that the funds would not be for embryonic research but for the Adult stem cell studies instead. This has alleviated a lot of the worries among many of the citizens who have religious beliefs that they hold devout. Clearly, no one is going to be funding embryonic, because in 25 years, there have been nothing but miserable failures. Non-embryonic is what is being used to treat cancer, blindness, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease. The $20 million is going to be distributed by capable, unbiased people on a review board. (Ward 2006). This is a definite gain in the name of stem cell research, regardless of whether or not it is embryonic or non-embryonic. It still helps scientist continue to study and find possible treatments and cures for many serious and deadly diseases and injuries for those in society. There still remains hope to have some of the funding go to the embryonic phase of the research, though. If it can prove that a great treatment can be developed and it will go to an illness or disease that currently has no known cure or treatment regimen established, then of course the Governor would then be willing to authorize some of the funding from the $20 million (Ward 2006). Some of the representatives that will be in charge of overseeing the research and its progress are from renowned institutions like John Hopkins University and from experts in the area of Biotechnological research (Ward 2006). There are a great number of people who claim that the Government should ease up its restrictions prohibiting some forms of stem cell research (Sarasota Herald Tribune 2004). This is of course due to the fact that so much has been realized in recent years about the progress stem cell research can make in combating disease. Although adult stem cells hold promise as well, scientists claim that they are no where as powerful in capabilities as embryonic stem cells are. Embryonic stem cells have the potential of being able to re-grow heart cells, brain cells, and correct spinal cord injuries, such as the injury Christopher Reeve sustained (Sarasota Herald Tribune 2004). One example is those who suffer with Multiple Sclerosis. So many suffer with this life changing illness and for years, the treatment plan has remained pretty much the same and in modern medicine, there is no cure in sight. However with stem cell research there are some countries where different treatments are already available and some have even used this treatment regimen. Holland is already providing some patients with MS a new treatment regimen, developed directly from stem cell research. One patient, Malcolm Pear admits that it is a gamble but that it is worth it in the battle against MS (Ganguly 2005). The new treatment has the possibility of gaining Mr. Pear the ability to be able to walk unaided and help with the vision problems that he is now having. The treatment itself helps reproduce new tissue in the patients, so that the degenerative tissue can be replaced (Ganguly 2005). Umbilical cords, not embryonic stem cells are the main source where the cells are being derived from to help secure this new treatment regimen for patients. MS destroys the nerve fibers in a person's body, creating symptoms of fatigue, vision problems, weakness, and the inability to be mobile, of which are all bodily functions directly connected to the central nervous system. MS ultimately destroys every part of the nervous system, if there is no treatment. Where before this illness had no known way of being combated, now there exists strong hope that soon there will be exemplary treatment regimens and possibly even a cure (Ganguly 2005). Not only are these stem cells being found to be an excellent treatment for those with MS, but because they are the fundamental building blocks for various tissues and organs in the body, they can be used to combat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and different types of cancers in the body as well (Ganguly 2005). These specific cells can be grown outside of the body, and then transplanted. Also, the cells can be injected through an IV drip injected into the spinal canal. The cells then work to repair tissue damage and regenerate muscle growth. However, once the stem cells are injected there is no way of removing them if an adversity becomes present in the person's body. This is one of the negativities of this treatment which is one reason why it is still in the experimental stage, but some people are willing to take the risk to try and get better and have somewhat of a normalcy in their life. Furthermore, this is a treatment quite different from traditional methods that have been discovered through this research. What better reason could there be to guarantee federal funding is never wholly depleted than in knowing people suffering with diseases such as these can be helped Yet another positive influence to guarantee federal funding in stem cell research is the hope that it is giving for those with heart disease or who are suffering from severe heart defects that normal medical treatment can not help. Because stem cells have the ability to turn into any other type of cell found within the body, they are extremely useful in the combat against heart disease (The Daily Mail 2005). Furthermore, there really can be no controversy found in the procedures surrounding the treatment for this disease as cells can be extracted from areas such as the hip, and other bone joints to form new cells. These can then be injected directly into the coronary arteries of the heart, helping patients have the ability to return to a somewhat normal and routine life. Growth factor drugs are the primary way to improve upon new cell development in patients. These new cells are then taken and placed where needed in the body. (The Daily Mail 2005). Anthony Mauher, a cardiologist who is involved in this research and trial states, "Our studies will tell us if Adult bone marrow can repair damaged hearts, and if so, how these cells should be administered." (The Daily Mail 2005). Heart disease is known to be the one of the world's most fatal killers, taking an average of 120,000 lives per year. If this experiment can provide the validity needed to correct the current diseases of the heart then there is a glimmer of hope for many heart patients, in regards to a 100% recovery from their illness. This treatment alone could have the potential of transforming the way modern day medicine cares for heart patients now. In fact it has the ability to "revolutionize" the whole concept entirely (The Daily Mail 2005). In conclusion, this research has given the proof that stem cell research has so many various potentials to changing the lives of many people suffering with fatal injuries and diseases. Where once people would have given up, now they are fighting to survive because they know there is a chance of treatment and possible cures for many of these major illnesses. Stem cell research has come along way and although there have been errors, yet still these are always going to exist in new scientific studies. The good far outweighs the bad and the sooner society comes to this realization, the better for people everywhere. Stem cell research should never have to worry about not having the proper funding as it provides too many avenues of treatment for disease, where without it, none would exist. It stands now to be a hope for the future to do away with the many forms of illnesses that take lives every year that passes. Works Cited Dossier. "The Stem-Cell Gap." The American Prospect. Volume 16 (2005):1 Ganguly, Rhona. "Malcolms Stem Cell MS hope: Malcolm Pear's Battle against MS has taken him to Holland for Pioneering Stem Cell Treatment. It is an expensive Gamble, as he told Rhona Ganguly." The Birmingham Post. (2005):1 Hands, Liz. "More to Cell Research than Human Cloning." The Journal (2006):1 Pohl-Zane, Laura. "Parish Holding Debate on Stem Cell Research." The Daily Herald (2006):1 Sarasota Herald Tribune. "Should Government Ease Restrictions on Stem Cell Research" Sarasota Herald Tribune. (2004):1 Shoemaker, David. "Embryos, Souls, and the Fourth Dimension." Journal of Social Theory and Practice. Volume 31 (2005):1 The Daily Mail. "Stem Cell Hope for Heart Victims." The Daily Mail. (2005):1 Walker, Howard. "Angel at the Forefront of Brain Research." The Journal. (2006):1 Ward, Jon. "Ehrlich Proposes Stem-Cell funding; State Panel to Control $20 Million." The Washington Times. (2006):1 Read More