Stem Cell

David Thorp

Eng Comp 1 (Wed nights)

The Prospect of Stem Cell Research

Imagine a day when terms like Parkinson’s disease, leukemia, leukodystrophy, or even cancer no longer ring a bell with the same severe, life-threatening tone. Imagine a day when any type of birth defect, blindness, or paralysis could be cured just as if it were a broken arm or a mild infection. Stem cell research is the key to unlocking this unlimited possibility of profound medical breakthroughs.

There are three main sources of stem cells. The first two, adult cells (bone marrow and peripheral system extractions) and umbilical cord cells, have been utilized throughout years of medical treatment with great success. In the case of Patrizia Durante, who in 2001 had been diagnosed with leukemia and given only six months to live, she received a transplant of stem cells from her daughter’s umbilical cord. The stem cells aided in replenishing her bone marrow which could not be accomplished by all other previous forms of treatments. Several years later, her disease was reported to be in full remission.

According to the Vitae Caring Foundation (2006), Krabbe’s leukodystrophy, a degenerative enzyme disorder of the nervous system that causes seizures, blindness, deafness, and subsequent death typically before the age of two, was successfully prevented from developing in the case of Gina Rugari. She was treated with stem cells from a closely matched donor that produced the needed enzymes while she was an infant, allowing her to develop normally. Without the stem cells, she would have almost certainly died before reaching the age of three.

While these types of stem cells are a successful, non-controversial source, they are limited in that they are somewhat specialized and can not be easily changed into other types of cells. Depending on the type of stem cell needed (such as brain or spine), adult stem cells can be difficult to extract and reprogram from an adult’s body into a new...