Today, the President Obama reversed an earlier decision by former President Bush, to federally fund research for Stem Cells. President Obama's decision to federally fund Stem Cell Research is controversial and puts the ethics of Stem Cell Research, front and center in the debate about the pros and cons of Stem Cell Research. What are Stem Cells, what are the advantages to Stem Cells and why should we care? Stems Cells are cells that come from humans or animals that have the amazing ability to be themselves, Stem Cells, or take on the characteristics of another cell, say a muscle cell, blood cell or even a brain cell. There are basically two types of Stem Cells, Embryonic Stem Cells, the one type we hear so much about in the media, and Adult Stem Cells. The essential difference between the two is that the Embryonic Stem Cells are taken from mice for research, but can also be harvested from a baby's umbilical cord or bone marrow. Adult Stem cells are generally taken from a persons tissue and organs.
What does federal funding of Stem Cell Research mean to the average American and the country as a whole? For many of us who are in declining health, it's kind of like the "Holy Grail and the Fountain of Youth," all wrapped into one, if the research is as promising as it has been reported. Stem Cells that could rejuvenate the dying cells and organs in our bodies. Think of the limitless opportunities to dream a dream without boundaries. I certainly could use a few more brain cells, as so many brain cells have died since I was in college. My father who has Alzheimer Disease and no longer recognizes me when I go to visit him at the Assisted Living Center, could possibly benefit too, from renewable brain cells.
No matter what your chronic disease, illness or affliction, if we all hang in there, we may see some mental, physiological and physical relief within our lifetime. There would be no stopping us from alleviating sickness as we know it and giving everyone on the Planet, a chance at bettering their circumstances. If, only those who oppose us could dream a hopeful future too! There are as many arguments against Stem Cell Research as there are arguments for Stem Cell Research. I guess it really comes down to how healthy you are now, and in some way, that will shape your views on whether you view Stem Cell Research as being good or bad. If, you are in excellent health, you probably don't give a "royal flush" about Stem Cell Research, but if you are afflicted with something that affects your health, then you might want to see some Stem Cell Research, even if most people you know disagree with you. I think what we will find are public views about Stem Cell Research and private views about how we feel about Stem Cell Research and only our heart and "Our Creator" knows for sure.
There are Religious Special Interest Groups, who say "we are trying to play God." There are the "shareholder elites," who would dread the loss of demand for their pharmaceuticals and their falling share prices and profits. There are those who are too sick, too far along according to their health care workers to benefit from such promising research and treatment. There are the long line of skeptics who would trip up the ambitions of those ailing for a cure to what troubles them now. There are so many entrenched interests for Stem Cell Research and so many feverish groups who are against Stem Cell Research, that quite possibly, nothing gets done and no new discovery's are made. No matter how the American Public debates the merits or lack of merits of Stem Cell Research, like many of us, I hope it brings down the prices of some of my prescription medications, if no new treatments are not to be had.
