Stem cell research is a topic that has sparked much controversy and debate. I for one am for stem cell research as I believe it has the potential to save the lives of millions. Firstly, here’s a little overview of stem cell research.
To begin with, what are stem cells? Stem cells are the foundation for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells are able to repair or replace damaged tissue, thereby reversing diseases and injuries such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood diseases, to name a few. There are two types of stem cells—
unlimited stem cells (also known as
embryonic stem cells) and
limited stem cells (also known as
adult stem cells).
Unlimited stem cells are currently obtained with patients’ permission from leftover three-day old embryos that would otherwise be discarded from fertility clinics. These embryos are created and exist entirely outside the body. Let me note here that these are not even close to being humans nor foetuses yet. It is estimated over 7500 embryos are discarded each year, wasted if you will. These embryos are the source of large numbers of stem cells.
Limited stem cells are rare cells that can be found in only some developed organs or tissues. Limited stem cells have been successfully used for some time now in bone marrow transplants (with either bone marrow stem cells or umbilical cord blood stem cells) and skin and hair transplants.
These two stem cells are very different, and the difference does matter. Unlimited stem cells, on one hand, have the potential to reproduce any tissue or cell type, thereby having potential to cure many diseases, whereas limited stem cells have successfully reproduced tissues of only a few organs and are not easily obtained.
Now here is the part of great controversy, how the unlimited stem cells are obtained. Currently, the only known way to obtain unlimited stem cells is by using days old embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded. Though these embryos have never been in the uterus and have never become a foetus, some people are opposed to this research because they consider this embryo morally equivalent to a human being.
Stem cells have the potential to cure hundreds of millions of people suffering from such diseases as type 1 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, leukaemia, paralysis, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and sports injuries, just to name a few.
Now some may say stem cell research is playing God, but we must remember, years ago these people also though the universe revolved around the earth and were too scared to believe the words of such astronomers as Galileo—instead they locked him up and only started to realise how right he was hundreds of years later.
Nowadays, I believe we are seeing another ‘Galileo’ case. Let’s not make the same mistake. If saving lives, and I’m talking hundreds of millions of lives, is playing God, then why aren’t such practises as plastic surgery questioned—why do people not question those who are not happy with the way ‘God made them’? Who are they to judge a medical breakthrough that will save the lives of millions? Let me emphasise now that there is an organ shortage, and people who otherwise could be saved are being put on waiting lists and are waiting for death. With the help of stem cells, organs can be obtained much more easily, and many people in need of urgent donations can be saved.
This article, by Leo Lou from Sydney Boys High School, was the Year 9/10runner-up in What Matters? 2008.
What Matters? is a writing competition run by The Whitlam Institute that gives year 5-12 students in NSW and ACT a chance to say what matters in society today.
For more information go to: http://www.whitlam.org/whitlam/index.php
