Stem Cell Research Benefits

Science and technology have developed tremendously in the last few decades. One such advancement is in the field of stem cell studies and researches. Stem cells can be defined as those unspecialized cells that have the ability to regenerate and differentiate into various types of cells. They are present in nearly all multicellular organisms and help in the internal mechanism of repairing wear and tear tissues. Stem cell research benefits are mainly concentrated in the field of medical science, more precisely in the treatment of certain genetic diseases and chronic illnesses.

Types of Stem Cells

Based on the source organism, stem cells can be broadly classified into two groups, namely, embryonic and non-embryonic (or adult) stem cells. As the names signify, the former is derived from the early stages of the developing embryo (blastocyst stage), whereas the latter is obtained from mature tissues of children and/or adults. Another recent intervention is generation of induced pluripotent stem cells, wherein regular cells (e.g. skin cells) are treated to impart some characteristics of stem cells.

Benefits of Stem Cell Research

According to scientists, stem cells are the most promising tools in combating genetic disorders and human diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, etc., which are difficult to treat by conventional therapeutic methods. Even though all kinds of stem cells have potential uses, the embryonic type is more easy to extract and believe to have more advantages as compared to the adult stem cells and pluripotent induced stem cells. Overall, the benefits are many, out of which some are listed below:

Understand Cell Development: The benefits of embryonic stem cell research are to understand the growth, development and differentiation of cells into several specialized cell types. With this aspect, it is possible to study the processes of a normal cell development. In simple terms, the causes of birth defects and genetic diseases can be studied and ruled out, thus providing an opportunity to find out the solutions for these medical conditions.

Testing Drugs and Medications: Another important benefit of stem cell studies and researches is screening drugs whether they are curative or harmful. With the advancement in this research, it is possible to conduct clinical trials and test drugs and medications before marketing commercially. Thus, the effectiveness and side effects of therapeutic medicines can be studied in the absence of animal and human testers.

Potential Medical Therapies: As mentioned already, the benefits in curing serious diseases and disorders. For example, as stem cells have the potential to differentiate into any type of cells, they can be developed into specialized cells of the heart, spinal cord, limbs, bones, etc. Such cells and tissues can be used in replacing the diseased and impaired systems of patients, whenever necessary.

Overview of Stem Cell Research

While several benefits of this research have been claimed, there are certain ethical issues associated with such practices. In fact, the controversy regarding the benefits and risks of stem cell research is a global issue in the present scenario. Some people are of the opinion that killing embryos for the sake of obtaining stem cells is illegal and punishable, whereas others strongly opposed the point, stating that an embryo is not an actual human life. Another rising issue is the potential risk of cloning.

Considering the several embryonic and adult stem cell research benefits in terms of curing diseases and improving quality of life, many countries have legally approved and funded researches involving stem cell lines. The United States is one of the leading countries that support this research, even for animal cloning purposes. Before countering the negative sides, let's examine the facts and analyze the future prospects and decide whether it is ethical to continue this research or not!