Why Is Stem Cell Research Beneficial?

Much is still unknown about the capability of stem cells to treat diseases. However, if their regenerative capabilities function as early evidence indicates, stem cells could be the answer to treating diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

History

• Scientists primarily work with adult stem cells, which are currently the only type used to treat diseases, and embryonic stem cells.

  Using methods that evolved from stem-cell experiments with mice, scientists derived the first human embryonic stem cell line in 1998. Because stem cells have the ability to renew themselves, scientists suggest they may be used to repair tissue and organs or, if taken from an embryo, can be pushed to serve specific functions. Among the diseases that stem cells could potentially treat are diabetes, spinal cord injuries and heart disease.

Stem Cells Today

• Adult stem cells have been used in bone marrow transplants for more than 40 years. They are used to repair the immune system after leukemia, lymphoma and other blood or autoimmune disorders have been treated with chemotherapy, according to the National Institutes of Health. On a more limited scale, they also have been used in treatments for diabetes and advanced kidney cancer.

Organ Transplants

• Promising uses for the stem cell include further experimentation and research in understanding normal cell development. It could also be used to test new drugs.

  But perhaps the stem cell's most important role to come is in organ transplants.

  Because there is higher demand for organs than what is available, scientists hope stem cells could help alleviate that shortage. Stem cells would be used to produce more cells to replace what's damaged without having to wait for an organ to transplant.

Controversy And The Law

• Stem cells aren't without controversy. Presently, in order to harvest embryonic stem cells, scientists must destroy the embryo. Many, particularly those who identify themselves as "pro-life," say this method destroys human life. At the other end of the spectrum, proponents of embryonic stem cell research say the embryos are used before they have implanted in the uterus and are therefore a collection of cells, not human life.

  President Bush condemned the destruction of embryos to harvest stem cells and limited research during his administration. Shortly after taking office in 2009, President Obama revoked the barriers, taking the stance of supporting "responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law."

  Lawmakers worldwide have set their own restrictions.

The Future

• Even as he repealed the previous administration's barriers, President Obama showed restraint in the promise of stem cells, saying much is still unknown. "I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek," he said.