The Great Stem Cell Debate

One of the biggest scientific debates of our age is stem cells. A stem cell is a simple cell that can develop into any one of various kinds of cells. A stem cell could turn into a blood cell, a skin cell, or any other type of specialized cell found in the body. These sound great, right? Shouldn’t we just order up a bunch? Why should anyone have anything against these? Stem cells are found in embryos. And in the process of getting the stem cell out kills the embryo. Some people believe that this isn’t right and that we are killing humans. But if a woman and a man fertilize five embryos in a lab and only want two, what should happen to the rest? Since they would just get thrown out, why not use them for stem cells? Here in this lies the great stem cell debate.

I read the article, “Study Says New Method Could Be a Quicker Source of Stem Cells” by Andrew Pollack of The New York Times, which talks about how there be another way to create stem cells. A study was conducted and found that an acid bath might be able to turn other cells in the body into stem cells. These stem cells could be used for tissue repair, and other types of medical treatment. The study conducted has only used this technique on mice cells so far, but this technique may be quicker and easier than techniques used today on embryotic stem cells. One very good thing about this technique is that it could get rid of many ethical issues because it won’t be considered as killing something. But the one problem with created these stem cells with specialized body cells is that there are genetic changes that have to be applied. These genetic changes might affect whether they could be used for medical therapy. That’s why the new technique puts the specialized cells “to stress.” This means putting the cells in an acid bath. Cells were taken from mice and engineered so that if Oct_4, a gene found in many stem cells, is present, then the cells would turn green. Some cells died because of the acid exposure, but many did survive and they turned green. Scientists put these cells into mice embryos to prove that they are actually stem cells. They worked, and the embryos grown we made primarily from these cells. If we wanted to make stem cells using this method, we would take the cells from humans, not mice.

In my opinion, this method is good for creating stem cells. But even if it doesn’t work, embryotic stem cells are still good. Yes they are taken from embryos, and yes it could be considered killing a baby. But if the embryos aren’t going to be put back into the woman, than why not just use them? Why throw them out? Stem cells could cure many medical ailments. What happens if someone gets into a car accident and is paralyzed because of spinal damage, and the fact that neurons are the only cells in the body that can’t reproduce? Stem cells can regrow neurons. What if the spinal cord is so badly damaged that the person if at risk of dying? Shouldn’t we just use stem cells to regrow the neurons and save a life? Stem cells could also cure cancer. If a child has leukemia, stem cells could be used to regrow healthy bone marrow. I understand why people might think that stem cells shouldn’t be taken, resulting in the death of an embryo. I understand why people might think it is killing something. The embryo could turn into a baby. But all I can say to those people is that if the parents don’t want the embryo, then why throw out something that could save lives?

In conclusion, the article, “Study Says New Method Could Be a Quicker Source of Stem Cells” raises a really good point about stem cells. The article explains how there is a way to get stem cells that some people don't consider ethnically wrong. Andrew Pollack seems to think that this new method is a good thing. I agree with him, and I also think embryotic stem cells are good too. I'm not sure what Pollack thinks of embryotic stem cells, but he most certainly brings up a good point about new methods. But what if these methods don't end up working? What if we can only use stem cells derived from embryos? What will happen if someone really needs a stem cell because they are about to die? Will they be denied one? 

Sources:

• Pollack, Andrew. "Study Says New Method Could Be a Quicker Source of Stem Cells." The New York Times 29 Jan. 2014, Business Day sec.: n. pag. The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 1 Feb. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/business/study-says-new-method-could-be-a-quicker-source-of-stem-cells.html?_r=0>.\
• "Stem Cell." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stem%2520cell>.
• "Pluripotent." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pluripotent>.