A potential cure for paraplegics is just one of the exciting possibilities. Researchers at John Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore experimented with stem cells from an aborted human fetus. They were injected into 80 paralyzed rats and mice. And all 80 restored their motor functions. There is no other research offering as much hope for paraplegics as stem cell research.
And this is just one of the illnesses stem cells may be able to cure.
The exciting thing about stem cell research is that it is offering answers for those diseases and conditions that have few other options.
Conditions related to the brain are one example. These condition include brain tumours, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. Stem cell research one of the few research areas offering hope for these conditions.
So, if we can save lives, is it acceptable to create embryos for the purpose of taking their stem cells?
It brings up the much asked question of when does a life become a life. At conception, at three months gestation, at birth? Once the stem cells have been provided, the life is terminated. Is this the same as abortion? Murder even?
Currently, embryonic stem cells are not created in this way. They come from unused embryos created in fertility clinics.
Couples who cannot get pregnant have embryos created in the laboratory, by inserting the male sperm into the female egg. There are always more than one created. The 'healthiest looking' is then selected and implanted into the females uterus. The remainder are then destroyed or donated to research.
So if they are going to be destroyed anyway, is there any harm in making use of them?
The debate returns to the 'creation of life' question. The critics would say 'to create their one child the couple have actually destroyed several others.'
It is a complex question and there are no easy answers. The debate will rage on.
Consider the benefits, consider the costs and make up your own mind, if you can.
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