Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cell research has revealed the different potential in embryonic and adult stem cells. There is a larger number of limitations identified for adult stem cells because they allow for fewer therapeutic applications than stem cells extracted from embryos. Moreover, the adult types are very rare, isolated and hard to get from tissues, not to mention that they present huge challenges to growing in cultures. Therefore, the highest emphasis falls on embryonic stem cell research, and this is where most medical hopes lie. The difficulty that scientists face is that of the transplant rejection, and this is in fact the reason why for many years the first phase of clinical testing has been postponed.

During the Bush administration, all American embryonic stem cell research was banned. The end of this bare period came in March 2009 when the new American president lifted the ban and allowed the research processes to be reinitialized. Scientists don’t know what to expect from embryonic stem cell research in terms of future promises because the full potential or the eventual risks are not known. Apparently, it is in such futuristic remedies that the cure for the most devastating diseases may be found. The hope that one immobilized to a wheelchair could grow spinal cord back and restart walking is a miracle that science may turn true.

Embryonic stem cell research makes the subject of many international controversies and debates. How moral is the use of human embryos in research? The biological material usually comes completed fertilization projects, where the remaining embryos are donated for scientific purposes. Pro-lifers argument their opposition against embryonic stem cell research by supporting the right of human life to develop. There is life involved, and scientists are playing God with it, ending or allowing it to continue as it suits their observational purposes.

For the moment, embryonic stem cell research lacks in many respects. Progress is being made in the attempt to discover new remedies for irrecoverable diseases, yet, the path is very sinuous. Question marks do remain in relation to the morality of the process, to the safety of the innovative treatments and to the extent or efficiency of the results. It remains to be seen whether sacrifices are worth making along the way and whether the very debatable and debated embryonic stem cell research will ever become unanimously recognized and accepted.

Filed Under: Stem Cells