Stem Cell Research. Whats the fuss?

Does it ever seem that there are just too many problems in the world? War, famine, global warming, crime, recession; God the list goes on. Did my parents have to deal with these problems? My grandparents? Did they even have to think about it? And with every major issue facing us today, there is always a controversy and the issue of stem cell research is no different.

The funny thing is most people I talk to have an opinion either way on stem cell research but not even half of them realize what it is and why there is a controversy. I personally of course have deduced my own opinion on the matter but maybe we should step back a bit first and answer the probing question. What is stem cell research?

In 1981 the first stem cells were isolated and extracted from the tissue of mice embryos and the first extraction of stem cells from human embryos came about in 1998. It is the belief of scientists that these stem cells can lead to the cure of such diseases as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and muscular dystrophy. It is believed they can even help with heart disease, stroke and spinal cord injuries.

So why are stem cells so important? Why not just use another ordinary cell? Because of their effectiveness. Take skin cells for instance. Normal skin cells on the outer of the skin, when they die and that’s the way they remain, however the skin cells under the many layers of skin do not. These are stem cells, they are able to repair and regenerate themselves. Stem cells of the bone marrow have said to have the potential to produce cells of the blood. There are two different sources stem cells where the cells can be extracted, firstly from adult tissue and secondly from embryos. Embryonic stem cell research is seen as the preferred option because they can be used to manipulate and regenerate more cells then that of adult stem cells.

However this brings controversy and oh what controversy, especially in the United States of America. For many years now and only until recently, federal funding of stem cell research has been banned in the United States, particularly under the Bush Administration. His reasoning? Well according to a 2008 article on newsbatch.com he vetoed legislation due to his religious beliefs, well, no surprises there. But why ban it? Why stop funding for something that could potentially save live? Basically it comes down to the age old argument of religion.

Although it is legal to privately fund stem cell research in America, federally funding was banned under the Bush Administration. Opposes of stem cell research have included the like of Pope John Paul II and many other leaders of the Christian faith. Its not adult stem cell research that is the problem. To extract adult stem cell form human tissue is relatively quick and painless to the individual, it is that of embryonic stem cells that has caused the problem. Opposes believe that the embryos are human life and due to the fact the embryos have to be destroyed in order to extract stem cells, this is murder. However scientists say that the embryos used are only three to five days old and are not considered human life, a statement I tend to agree with. The embryos consist only of a few dozen cells.

Very recently current President Barack Obama did what many people have been waiting for, for years. In Kansas City, Missouri Obama signed legislation reversing Bush’s decision to ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This call delighted many including myself. But its not just scientists who are pleased. Jeff McCaffrey was paralyzed in a car accident seven years ago due to injuring his spinal cord. Adult stem cell research has failed to find a cure and he hopes embryonic stem cell research will one day help him walk again.

But still there is opposition. Opposition from pro life and religious groups. I’m sorry but how many major conflicts have resulted because of religion whether it be Islamist extremists or Christian extremists. This research could help saved lives! It really annoys t me that we have the opportunity to cure incurable diseases but there are ridiculous people out there trying to oppose it. I’m not saying God isn’t real, I don’t have that answer but it sounds more plausible that we pursue something that is very real to us all. Not only can this research help save lives but we can use it to prevent such diseases so it does not cause suffering to our children and their children.