I am getting progressively more fed up with the constant arguments of the morality of embryonic stem cell research. I understand the potential good that embryonic stem cells might be able to produce in the future. I also believe that Adult Stem Cells are severely underrepresented in the media and the downsides of Embryonic Stem Cells are almost never discussed. I advocate moving the focus of science from embryonic stem cells to Adult stem cells and the stem cells found in amniotic fluid.
First off, embryonic stem cells from the destruction of human embryos have not been proven to successfully treat any disease. "Embryonic stem cells have not yet been used for even one therapy" (Source 1) Source 2 shows the number of diseases/problems embryonic stem cells have cured, "none". Even more so, they've proven to be harmful in studies with mice. Source 1 talks about cancerous tumors growing from the embryonic stem cells in the paragraph labeled "the dangers of tumors".
Adult Stem Cells on the other hand, have over 70 different cures on humans. These aren't just tests on mice, but have actually successfully treated humans with these conditions. A partial list can be found on Source 2. These diseases included: chronic liver failure, sickle cell anemia, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord damage, Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerois, brain cancer, ovarian cancer, and many many more. In a study reported in Source 1, doctors prove that Adult Stem Cells have more flexibility then once though.
In May 2001, a further, spectacular experiment was reported, which was carried out on mice by scientists at Yale University. The researchers obtained stem cells from the bone marrow of male mice, and injected it into females whose own marrow had been destroyed by radioactive irradiation. Eleven months later, the male stem cells (identifiablethrough the male Y-chromosome) were found not only in the females’ bone marrow, but also in their blood, and in their gut, lung, and skin tissues.
Harvard Researchers found that Adult Stem cells are very usable for cures also.
Researchers working with diabetic mice first killed cells responsible for the diabetes. The animals' adult stem cells took over and regenerated missing cells needed to produce insulin and eliminate the disease. Source 5
Source 3 also provides some very interesting reading on the acknowledgement of stem cells.
Adult Stem Cells aside, scientists have recently found a new way to retrieve stem cells with the elasticity of Embryonic stem cells, without the moral issues of killing an human embryo. MSNBC (source 4) recently reported that researchers at Wake Forest and Harvard have found stem cells in the amniotic fluid "hold much the same promises as embryonic stem cells." The researchers were able to turn these cells into liver, brain, and bone cells.
Put aside partisan bickering about the morality of a small portion of a much bigger thing. Adult Stem cells are showing such promise, focus on them. Find the cures they have inside them. If they can cure Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes, they probably have a way to cure adult onset diabetes. There's so many opportunities here that are ignored. Better yet, use the amniotic fluid to do embryonic stem cell research. Avoid the controversy and make a difference. We need to start demanding answers; it might be our lives one day.
On a side note: When the media says stem cell research, find out what kind it is. I don't want to bring in my views of the media on this, but it's almost unavoidable. This article http://www.nationalreview.com/smithw/smith200409090835.asp sums up a lot of what's going on.
Source 1: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/winter01/stem_cell.html
Source 2: http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm
Source 3: http://www.nationalreview.com/smithw/smith200409090835.asp
Source 4: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16514457/
Source 5: http://www.researchmatters.harvard.edu/story.php?article_id=267
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I do know enough to say that I have heard that in some instances when they talked/mentioned using embryonic stem cells, they used ones that were going to waste and were not needed--I heard that the ones being used were going to be thrown away---so isn't it better to see if they can be put to use?
(i'll look for the source I read this from)
I totally understand how you are against this and how it seems to most BUT research should not be hindered---
ISN'Tthere some way to make everyone happy and still have this research done, BECAUSE even though they haven't found use for them YET, they might in the future be really helpful, who really knows?
"I leave my one and only grain of spiritual sand
to universal scales of humanity, all humanity...
forever is finding a solution to a solution." -Forever Begins, Common
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
But why not focus on the areas that show great promise?
And if the amniotic cells can be as diverse as embryonic stem cells, then there should be absolutely no debate about the issue. There are ways around moral obligations, they just aren't publicized.
http://www.progressiveu.org/user/bamers