Stem Cell Therapy

In December 1988 Sarah Smith was in a serious car accident. Sarah became paralyzed from the waist down. She seldom felt nerves in her legs and feet when touched or tested and she could not walk or stand. The muscles in her hands had atrophied, making it impossible for her to open them. Sarah’s’s health gradually got worse due to lack of exercise and movement. In essence she lived in a motorized wheel chair. After reading an article Sarah contacted the Rehabilitation Institute of Detroit, Michigan. Following grueling tests and therapy Sarah flew to Beijing, China and received Olfactory Ensheathing cell surgery. They implanted stem cells above and below the injured portion of her spine. Immediately she could feel a reaction. Her legs were tingling with sensation. Her right hand opened and closed. Today she is in a manual wheel chair and can kick both legs. With adequate knowledge of stem cell research, learning the benefits acquired through stem cell therapy, and recognizing that support for stem cells is on the rise; it is apparent that even though people believe it is against the laws of God, the positive medical benefits resulting from stem cell research out weigh the negative social penalties. Due to confusion and general lack of knowledge stem cell research is sometimes wrongly thought of as unethical. Stem cells are model cells found all through the body that have the ability to possess concentrated roles. These cells are grown to imitate blood, bone, brain, or skin cells among others (Heled, 2008).
There are different kinds of stem cells deriving from different areas that produce different results. Embryonic or fetal stem cells are believed to be the most influential and controversial in stem cell research. According to the American Journal of Health Education, “(embryonic stem cells) can differentiate into almost any type of cell that makes up the body” (2008). They originate from four different places: existing stem cell lines, aborted or miscarried

References: China Post. (2007). Researchers join stem cell experiment on spinal injuries. July 8, 2008, from www.chinapost.com Devitt, T. (2007). Human Embryonic Research is Necessary. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press Eve, D., Marty, D., McDermott, R., Klasko, S., & Sanberg, P. (2008, May-June). Stem Cell Research and Health Education Haugen D., & Musser, S. (2007). Introduction to human embryo experimentation: At issue Heled, Yaniv. (2008, Wntr). On presidents, agencies, and the stem cells between them: a legal analysis of Preseident Bush’s and the federal governments policy on the funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells Lindsay, R. (2008). Embryonic stem cell research is ethical. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press Walker, P. (2006, November 20). Stem cell cure for diabetes. Chemistry and Industry,11(1), 22 Weiss, R. (2004, June 10). Stem cells an unlikely therapy for alzheimer 's. Washington Post, p