Stem cell research is the most recently developed medical advancement I have discussed on this blog. It is incredibly fascinating but also holds a lot of controversy as well. After getting familiar with what stem cell research entails, the ethics and logistics of it will be introduced as well.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the shapeshifters of all cells. They do not yet have a specific role in the body, therefore allowing them to become any sort of cell necessary (e.g. red blood cells, liver cells, etc.). These cells not only have the ability to become any type of cell, but also the ability to replicate many times. Within this cell type there are also subcategories as well. The first is totipotent which means it can develop into any type of cell in the body. This category of cell can be retrieved from a zygote (when male and female gametes fuse together). The next is called pluripotent and it can turn into almost all types of cells. These cells can be found during the embryonic and fetal stage. Similar to this, induced pluripotent cells basically means genetically altered adult stem cells made to express some of the same genes as regular pluripotent stem cells. The next type is called multipotent, which means it can turn into a limited number of cell types. These cells are like a doctor who just got out med-school but hasn’t decided on his/her exact specialty yet. For example bone marrow stem cells can turn into blood cells but not a hepatocyte — which makes up most of the liver. Then following this category we have mesenchymal, oligopotent, and unipotent stem cells. These three types are all incredibly limited in what sort of cell they can become. To learn about the exact function of these three types visit ThoughtCo.com.

What do they do?

Stem cells can be used for quite a few things, both in the research field and in practicing medicine. In research, stem cells are being looked at very carefully by scientists to get a better understanding of how cells decide to replicate or differentiate. Many medical conditions such as tumors, cancers, and birth defects come from abnormal cell replication. Therefore,

studying these process from the blank slate of a stem cell can be incredibly insightful. Similarly, studying already mutated or diseased cells can help to understand how certain illnesses progress. On top of this, according to this site, testing out medicine on these cells can reduce the amount of animal testing and help to find cures. In medical practices, stem cells have already shown to help with a lot of diseases. With these morphable cells and bit of genetic alteration, organ tissue regeneration is a big advantage. Currently these cells are being used to help restore the cells of burn victims, and the blood of those suffering from blood disorders like leukemia. Additionally scientists are working towards utilizing these cells to treat certain cancers and even neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Where’s the controversy?

According to this website, a major issue with stem cell research lies in the federal funding of it. Due to the moral and ethical problems behind this field, people find it unfit for the government to fund the research. Many others say that transparency between what exactly is being funded for is necessary. While one may approve of stem cell research for something like organ repair, the same research can go towards cloning — which one may not be so fond of. When the government says they will fund such things, the specificity of it needs to be clarified. Ethically, as mentioned before the most useful stem cell types are embryonic and obtained through blastocysts. These blastocysts are formed in a lab by fertilized human eggs. For those who believe life begins at conception, the destruction of these fertilized eggs are unethical. Adults cells can be obtained from fetuses that have been aborted as well, but abortion in itself is shamed by pro-lifers, and for people religious people, using the fetus for research whether it was a spontaneous abortion or not is intolerable. The problem with taking stem cells from adults though, is that they are more developed and less easily changed. On top of this getting these cells from bone marrow, for example, is incredibly painful for the donor. Similarly on the theological note, the concept of creating human tissue with laboratory created and modified stem cells can come across as God-like for some people. This oversteps the bounds of their ideals and is deemed unacceptable as well. Furthermore, the concept of cloning is unsettling to many as well. Both religious and nonreligious folk can find discomfort in how advanced science may become if the doors to stem cell research are opened. Many people see it as Pandora’s Box and are too nervous to allow such technology to rule over. To learn more about the pros and cons of stem cell research, please take a look at this organized and comprehensive site on TheBalance.com.

Overall the question to ask is how far we are allowing our researchers to go. Can we put our moral or religious beliefs on hold in order to save lives and further medical advances? Or is it going to lead to more destruction and corruption? On top of that, if we regulate against it in this country, there is no true way of terminating it in other countries, potentially leaving our own at a risky disadvantage. The best way to go about it all is by researching, obtaining the facts, and having healthy and effective conversations in order to reach the best possible agreement.