Stem Silliness
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein
In keeping with the Monthly Topic, an article I came across a couple months ago caught my eye. We’re all probably familiar with the stem cell controversy for religious and philosophical reasons regarding embryonic stem cells. This controversy has resulted in an executive order ban by George W. Bush on creating new stem cells from human embryos. Fortunately, this ban was reversed by Barack Obama at the beginning of his administration. Contrary to the claims of many abortion opponents, no stem cells are created from induced abortions. They come from embryos that have been rejected in failed fertility attempts and cell lines that already exist.
Now, Harvard University researchers have discovered that they can effectively cure diabetes in rats with embryonic stem cells. The Harvard researchers claim:
“This dramatic result is particularly promising for victims of type I diabetes, a disorder in which the body’s immune system kills off all of its beta cells, but it also potentially offers relief to those suffering with type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes. Many laboratory discoveries take years or decades to yield therapies. The Harvard scientists are more optimistic. With partners at the University of Chicago, they are planning tests on primates, and they hope to begin human transplant trials within three years.”
Considering the pervasiveness and massive healthcare expense of diabetes in this country, I would say that this discovery is epic, to say the least. Like cancer, most people would say that they are familiar with someone in their family or social circle that has been touched by this disease, if not experiencing it themselves.
If there is no other reason than this to continue embryonic stem cell research, I believe this discovery should permanently remove the stigma associated with it. I support continuing adult stem cell research in order to make stem cell therapy more available to everyone, but I do not believe there is a good case to have it replace embryonic stem cell research.