Stem Cells.
Stem cells are basically cells found in almost all multi-cellular living system such as fungus, plant, animals, or micro-organism. A stem cell is differentiated from other cells because of its capacity to modify into different varieties of specialized cell types. When stem cells divide, every new cell has the ability to either remain a stem cell or develop into another type of cell with a more specific purpose, like brain cell, red blood cell, or muscle cell (National Institutes of Health NIH, 2009). Because of the potential applications of stem cells in life sciences, they have not only become one of the most intriguing and important areas of modern biology, but they have also generated numerous discussions concerning their effects on medicine, economy, and society. For that reason and to stay abreast of the issues, challenges, and benefits of human stem cell research, this paper will comprehensively examine the impact of stem cell in the area of biology as well as assess stem cell researchs effects on medicine, economy, and the society.
Importance of Stem Cells in Biology
The study of stem cells is very interesting and important in biology because of the cells ability to transform into several different cell types. Because of their capacity to multiply without limit, stem cells serve as somewhat an internal repair system to a number of cells by continually replenishing all damaged or worn out cells so long as the person is still alive. There are basically two types of human stem cells, the adult and embryonic (American Heart Association AHA, 2010). These two types of stem cells are all the same, essentially unspecialized cells that are very unique from all other cell types because of their ability to renew through differentiating and mitotic cell division, at times even after extended periods of inactivity (NIH, 2009). Moreover, stem cells are differentiated from other cell types in a way that under particular experimental or physiologic conditions, stem cells can be stimulated to become organ- or tissue-specific cells with specialized functions.
In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out by several biologists, scientists, and other experts as a result of stem cells unique characteristics. Understanding stem cells ability to develop into different cell types and the capability of newly developed healthy cells that replace the damaged ones are some of the basic subjects of these studies. In view of the promising ability of stem cells, these experts believe that stem cells are a very important tool in biotechnology. In fact, many scientists and medical practitioners have already taken advantage of stem cells in replacing and repairing damaged or worn out tissues of numerous patients, such as bone marrow and gut. Under special conditions, the potential of stem cells are likewise exploited in treating the heart or pancreas damages of some patients. Indeed, stem cells are very important in the area of biology because of their potential to cure or treat different human conditions and diseases, including tissue burns, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, certain birth defects, arthritis, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, back injuries, etc. (AHA, 2010).
Impact on Medicine, Economy, and Society
Stem cells can and have been providing positive impacts on medical research and the economy. In medicine, for instance, stem cell research reveals great promise because of the cells ability to cure or treat numerous conditions and diseases. Many experts believe that stem cell therapies being developed nowadays will eventually become customary in caring for human health problems. In terms of economic impact, billions of dollars can be saved every year if stem cell research is further promoted. At present, millions of people suffer from various diseases, and if stem cell enhanced medications become completely functional, these people can eventually be cured or treated without allotting considerable amount of money from their health insurances. However, despite these advantages, stem cell research has raised several debates on the society, particularly on ethical issue.
Medicine
For the past years, scientists around the world have continually studied stem cells in their laboratories not only to develop model systems that can be used to recognize the origins of birth abnormalities and study normal growth, but also to test new drugs, which they refer to as reparative or regenerative medicine (NIH, 2009). Because of stem cells unique regenerative capabilities, experts believe that stem cells have the capacity to offer new medications for several diseases. At present, roughly 128 million people around the world suffer from various diseases, and approximately 58 million of them suffer from cardiovascular illnesses (AHA, 2010). Hopefully, the potential success of research on stem cell enhanced medications can eventually help treat the conditions of these people.
In recent years, scientists are inducing stem cells in order to develop them into cardiac cells, which they use to experiment new medicines on actual human tissue. Scientists believe that stem cell therapies can eventually be used to prevent stroke as well as cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases. These experts believe that the scientific and medical potentials for stem cell research are infinite, and they feel that any advancement in severe nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases are apparently on the horizon. Nevertheless, they admit that there are still much work that remains to be accomplished in the clinic and laboratory to figure out how to effectively employ stem cells for cell-based therapies to cure diseases (NIH, 2009).
Economic
Studies show that people generally consider medical research as an important aspect to the economic future of a country. The finding of one study entitled Economic Impact of Stem Cell Research in Texas has concurred to this perspective (Weinstein, Clower, Seman, 2009, p. 29). The study reveals that treatments for spinal cord injury, Parkinsons disease, diabetes, stroke, and heart attack in Texas cost almost 14 billion per year. However, with the possible benefits from stem cell therapies, the costs could be reduced to at least 140 million per year or a total of more than 4.2 billion over a 30-year period, thus saving the patients and the government an enormous amount of money and resources (Weinstein, Clower, Seman, 2009, p. 2). In addition, stem cell research is expected to draw many scientists and generate numerous new jobs. Because of the promise of stem cell research, the biotechnology sector could become a multi-billion dollar industry, which could contribute a considerable amount of money to the economic activity of the country as well as support numerous induced, indirect, and direct jobs.
Society
Stem cell research has been generating several significant effects on the society. From its onset, stem cell research has been the center of intense social discussion, particularly the issue of the moral status of stem cells. The present consensus is that embryos from which embryonic stem cells are extracted are alive. However, the controversy over stem cell research arose because of the issue on whether or not human life in the form of a less than two-week old embryo after conception is considered a human person. Many pro-life advocates deem that human life begins from the moment of fertilization since a spermatozoon and ovum develop into a human person (Robinson, 2009). In view of that, these advocates strongly oppose stem cell research because they believe that the killing of any embryo in order extract stem cells is morally unacceptable and is tantamount to homicide.
Many people, however, disagree with the aforesaid views. Although those who disagree with the views of pro-life advocates consider the fact that an embryo has indeed the capacity to become a human person, they strongly believe that the embryo itself is not a person (Robinson, 2009). Accordingly, they claim that stem cell research is ethical because an embryo has no consciousness, memory, sensory organs, awareness of its surroundings, etc. Moreover, they further feel that regardless of other peoples moral, religious, and political stance on stem cells, the economy, society, and biotechnology sectors can certainly benefit from the research in this area (Robinson, 2009)..
Stem cells are basically cells found in almost all multi-cellular living system. The study of stem cells is very interesting and important because of the cells ability to transform into many different cell types. Several studies reveal that stem cells can be exploited in developing new procedures for treating a number of diseases. Experts believe that the stem cell therapies being developed nowadays will eventually become ordinary cure for human health problems and can save billions of dollars every year for the government that promotes the research on stem cells. Although stem cell has so far not obtained universal success in clinical use, it remains a great hope for future developments in healthcare. Without a doubt, stem cells have not only generated numerous discussions concerning their effects on medicine, economy and society, but have also become one of the most interesting and important areas of modern biology.
Importance of Stem Cells in Biology
The study of stem cells is very interesting and important in biology because of the cells ability to transform into several different cell types. Because of their capacity to multiply without limit, stem cells serve as somewhat an internal repair system to a number of cells by continually replenishing all damaged or worn out cells so long as the person is still alive. There are basically two types of human stem cells, the adult and embryonic (American Heart Association AHA, 2010). These two types of stem cells are all the same, essentially unspecialized cells that are very unique from all other cell types because of their ability to renew through differentiating and mitotic cell division, at times even after extended periods of inactivity (NIH, 2009). Moreover, stem cells are differentiated from other cell types in a way that under particular experimental or physiologic conditions, stem cells can be stimulated to become organ- or tissue-specific cells with specialized functions.
In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out by several biologists, scientists, and other experts as a result of stem cells unique characteristics. Understanding stem cells ability to develop into different cell types and the capability of newly developed healthy cells that replace the damaged ones are some of the basic subjects of these studies. In view of the promising ability of stem cells, these experts believe that stem cells are a very important tool in biotechnology. In fact, many scientists and medical practitioners have already taken advantage of stem cells in replacing and repairing damaged or worn out tissues of numerous patients, such as bone marrow and gut. Under special conditions, the potential of stem cells are likewise exploited in treating the heart or pancreas damages of some patients. Indeed, stem cells are very important in the area of biology because of their potential to cure or treat different human conditions and diseases, including tissue burns, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, certain birth defects, arthritis, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, back injuries, etc. (AHA, 2010).
Impact on Medicine, Economy, and Society
Stem cells can and have been providing positive impacts on medical research and the economy. In medicine, for instance, stem cell research reveals great promise because of the cells ability to cure or treat numerous conditions and diseases. Many experts believe that stem cell therapies being developed nowadays will eventually become customary in caring for human health problems. In terms of economic impact, billions of dollars can be saved every year if stem cell research is further promoted. At present, millions of people suffer from various diseases, and if stem cell enhanced medications become completely functional, these people can eventually be cured or treated without allotting considerable amount of money from their health insurances. However, despite these advantages, stem cell research has raised several debates on the society, particularly on ethical issue.
Medicine
For the past years, scientists around the world have continually studied stem cells in their laboratories not only to develop model systems that can be used to recognize the origins of birth abnormalities and study normal growth, but also to test new drugs, which they refer to as reparative or regenerative medicine (NIH, 2009). Because of stem cells unique regenerative capabilities, experts believe that stem cells have the capacity to offer new medications for several diseases. At present, roughly 128 million people around the world suffer from various diseases, and approximately 58 million of them suffer from cardiovascular illnesses (AHA, 2010). Hopefully, the potential success of research on stem cell enhanced medications can eventually help treat the conditions of these people.
In recent years, scientists are inducing stem cells in order to develop them into cardiac cells, which they use to experiment new medicines on actual human tissue. Scientists believe that stem cell therapies can eventually be used to prevent stroke as well as cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases. These experts believe that the scientific and medical potentials for stem cell research are infinite, and they feel that any advancement in severe nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases are apparently on the horizon. Nevertheless, they admit that there are still much work that remains to be accomplished in the clinic and laboratory to figure out how to effectively employ stem cells for cell-based therapies to cure diseases (NIH, 2009).
Economic
Studies show that people generally consider medical research as an important aspect to the economic future of a country. The finding of one study entitled Economic Impact of Stem Cell Research in Texas has concurred to this perspective (Weinstein, Clower, Seman, 2009, p. 29). The study reveals that treatments for spinal cord injury, Parkinsons disease, diabetes, stroke, and heart attack in Texas cost almost 14 billion per year. However, with the possible benefits from stem cell therapies, the costs could be reduced to at least 140 million per year or a total of more than 4.2 billion over a 30-year period, thus saving the patients and the government an enormous amount of money and resources (Weinstein, Clower, Seman, 2009, p. 2). In addition, stem cell research is expected to draw many scientists and generate numerous new jobs. Because of the promise of stem cell research, the biotechnology sector could become a multi-billion dollar industry, which could contribute a considerable amount of money to the economic activity of the country as well as support numerous induced, indirect, and direct jobs.
Society
Stem cell research has been generating several significant effects on the society. From its onset, stem cell research has been the center of intense social discussion, particularly the issue of the moral status of stem cells. The present consensus is that embryos from which embryonic stem cells are extracted are alive. However, the controversy over stem cell research arose because of the issue on whether or not human life in the form of a less than two-week old embryo after conception is considered a human person. Many pro-life advocates deem that human life begins from the moment of fertilization since a spermatozoon and ovum develop into a human person (Robinson, 2009). In view of that, these advocates strongly oppose stem cell research because they believe that the killing of any embryo in order extract stem cells is morally unacceptable and is tantamount to homicide.
Many people, however, disagree with the aforesaid views. Although those who disagree with the views of pro-life advocates consider the fact that an embryo has indeed the capacity to become a human person, they strongly believe that the embryo itself is not a person (Robinson, 2009). Accordingly, they claim that stem cell research is ethical because an embryo has no consciousness, memory, sensory organs, awareness of its surroundings, etc. Moreover, they further feel that regardless of other peoples moral, religious, and political stance on stem cells, the economy, society, and biotechnology sectors can certainly benefit from the research in this area (Robinson, 2009)..
Stem cells are basically cells found in almost all multi-cellular living system. The study of stem cells is very interesting and important because of the cells ability to transform into many different cell types. Several studies reveal that stem cells can be exploited in developing new procedures for treating a number of diseases. Experts believe that the stem cell therapies being developed nowadays will eventually become ordinary cure for human health problems and can save billions of dollars every year for the government that promotes the research on stem cells. Although stem cell has so far not obtained universal success in clinical use, it remains a great hope for future developments in healthcare. Without a doubt, stem cells have not only generated numerous discussions concerning their effects on medicine, economy and society, but have also become one of the most interesting and important areas of modern biology.
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