Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Research

Well, this might seem like science fiction stuff, but stem cell research is a major field of study and scientists the world over, are uncovering the miracles that could be made a reality, from it.

Stem cells are basically found in most multi-cellular organisms, if not all. These cells are crucial for the growth of any organism, as they have the capacity to renew themselves, enabling them to divide and perform specialized functions. In mammals, there are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. So most of the research is done on these two types of cells.

Stem Cell Research

It is a relatively new field of research that entails employing primitive human cells and developing them into any of the numerous types of cells in the human body, including the blood and the brain cells. This research is being touted as proving to be extremely useful for fathoming the most serious of diseases and their cures. Be it neuro degenerative diseases or heart diseases and Parkinson's, all have benefited from it. However, apart from being talked about as the next big thing in the field of medicine, it has also been a bone of contention, because of the possibility of genetic engineering and human cloning.

Pros and Cons

To talk about the brighter side, stem cell research has lead the scientists and the medical experts closer to the cures for birth defects, spinal cord injuries, heart diseases, diabetes and so on. Another major benefit is that there is a possibility, that a way to replace or repair damaged organs can be forged from it. The research can lead to methods which can reduce the risks of organ transplants. Apart from this, the scientists can get a closer look at how the stem cells develop and grow. Therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicines are other exciting prospects of this research. There is also an argument that embryos can be used to extract cells. This will pave the way for engineering stem cells to replicate specialized cells in the brain, liver and skin.

Now on the darker side, which is supported by the naysayers, stem cell research is unethical. They say that the benefits should not shroud the issue of ethics. Cloning is vehemently objected to by those who are against it. It has also been said to be declared illegal in some countries. Human life shouldn't be compromised for any purposes, even if it is in the form of an embryo. Some believe that life does not begin until birth, but those who argue against it say that embryos are where life begins and hence using them for research is like killing.

It is hard to clearly demarcate the advantages and disadvantages of stem cell research. But the fact remains and no one can deny it, that it has ushered in, a significant development in the field of medical science. It is certainly going to benefit the human race, even if there would be some who would try and exploit the darker side, or misuse its benefits. After all, you won't see the silver lining if there wasn't a dark cloud.