Stem Cell Research FactsThere is such a plethora of information concerning the benefits and disadvantages of stem cells that you as a consumer are hard pressed to discern as to what exactly are the stem cell research facts. The initiatives in this field are gathering pace as researchers strive to achieve the "Holy Grail" of creating embryonic stem cell lines without destroying embryos. In such a scenario, you need to be armed with the right information concerning stem cell research facts so you may be able to make informed decisions when it comes to matters like deciding to donate the cord blood of your baby or even opting to undergo stem cell transplants in case you have some incurable disease. So here are some stem cell research facts to help you know more about the various controversial, moral and ethical issues as well as stunning successes in the research field: * Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to convert themselves into any type of specialized cell in our body like cells of the heart muscle or the neurons of the brain. * In recent embryonic stem cell research efforts, scientists have discovered the potential of these cells to cure diseases like juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. These cells can transform themselves into any type of body cell under the right physiological conditions and have hence excited the interest of the scientific community. * The therapeutic promise of stem cells is immense. In laboratory studies conducted on mice, embryonic stem cells have shown promise in curing spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, paralytic conditions that arise from stroke and juvenile diabetes. * The moral and ethical issues plaguing embryonic stem cells can be summed up in one sentence. In order to harvest these cells, it is necessary to sacrifice embryos that are 5 to 7 days old in the laboratory. This has raised the hackles of pro-life advocates who argue that the sanctity of human life is being compromised by research efforts in this direction. * The importance of embryonic stem cells cannot be stressed enough. No other stem cells from non-embryonic sources like cord blood or from adult bone marrow have shown the potential to cure the above-mentioned diseases. Therefore access to adequate number of embryonic stem cell lines is of paramount importance in the advancement of stem cell research. * In order to realize the promise of stem cell research, it is vital that scientists can get the desired number of embryonic stem cells so as to be able to conduct various studies needed to assess if stem cell transplants can cure specific conditions. * Former US President George W. Bush had imposed a ban on federal funding of stem cell research citing the various moral issues involved. The ban imposed in 2001 allowed researchers to only use approved lines of stem cells for research. The problem was that these stem cell lines were prepared using mouse cells, which had the risk of contaminating the human cells with mouse viruses. * In 2009 US President Barack Obama lifted the eight-year ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. It is hoped that this will allow researchers to explore the full potential of stem cells in curing diseases and also in retarding the process of aging.
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