American Literature

    The article the promise of stem cell research by Michael Bay and Matt Ford was published on the CNN as a CNN Future Summit Technology profile on April 20, 2006.  The article argues that stem cell research has the potential to transform the practice of medicine by bringing cure to a list of diseases that have been difficult to handle in the past. These include diabetes, heart attack and Alzheimers disease among others. The article therefore concludes that stem cell research should be explored.

    Bay and Ford (2006), present the article on the potential of stem cell research by first acknowledging that this is a controversial subject and at the same time appreciating that stem cell research has been cited to the promise of future medicine. This article gives the rationale behind stem cell treatment by citing the already well known bone marrow transplantation for cancer treatment. Bay and Ford indicate that, researchers in this field have used the idea of stem cell regeneration of bone marrow to research more on the topic. The authors of this article refer to a well known scientist Alan Colman who was involved in cloning Dolly the sheep. A further background of stem cell research is given by stating that stem cells are the precursors of all body organs. The argument is that these cells can develop to all the 220 cell-types that make up the human body and can also be used to regenerate worn out tissues. Their indefinite division is also pegged as one of their great potentials in being applicable in medicine.

    Basing their arguments on the above characteristics of stem cells, Bay and Ford (2006), goes ahead to illustrate some of the diseases that can be treated using stem cell research (both embryonic and adult stem cells). They quote Colmans argument that there is potential at least to alleviate suffering in diseases such as Alzheimers disease, cancer, heart disease, stroke as well as birth defects if not to treat these conditions fully. The article further explores the pros and cons of adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Among the greatest benefits of embryonic stem cells is cited as the ability to divide indefinitely but the ethics of obtaining them is questioned. The adult stem cells are presented as being preferred due to their closeness to the desired end product. As such, researchers call for the use of both cell types in medicine.

    To further assert that stem cell research is a potential solution in treating various diseases, Bay and Ford cite that it is possible to use the cells in regaining insulin production, replacing worn out cartilage, repairing hearts in myocardial infarction patients. An illustration of one individual who had heart repair using stem cells have been cited to add weight to the argument. A successful animal trial in the treatment of spinal injuries in mice has been cited thus giving hope for the same in humans. They also cite the use of autologous stem cells in London to treat nervous system injury. Another example of successful use of stem cells is given where it is cited as being able to correct eyesight. The article also explores the likely advancement in stem cell research by indicating a proposed fusion of human and rabbit cells to make embryos for stem cell research. 

    Conclusively, the article highlights several controversies and challenges in the filed of stem cell research. One challenge of the research is the harm that the cells present if they get introduced in the body and fail to stop dividing. Also cited are moral and ethical concerns of the topic more so in regard to embryonic stem cell research. Dishonesty among scientists in this field is also stated as one of the issues that is stirring more controversies. In spite of these, the article holds that there is more to gain from carrying out stem cell research than to never explore this filed.

Article analysis
    This article is a well evidence-based argument on the potential that stem cell research has in revolutionizing medicine. For instance, Bay and Fords argument that this topic is controversial is in line with the current trend of events. As Johnson and Williams (2006), present the issue as raising ethical debates on their CRS Report for Congress with major opposition coming from pro-life advocates and religious organization. Even with such an argument, the authors of this article go ahead to explain the potential of the cells by referring to a renown scientist Alan Colman. The papers argument on the ability of the stem cells to divide indefinitely and differentiate to almost all body cells is scientifically based as presented by Laughlin et al (2006) who also present stem cells as having the capacity to regenerate indefinitely.

    The strength of this argument also lies with the choice of Bay and Ford to illustrate the likelihood of stem cell-based cures by giving individual witnesses. For instance, the ability to repair heart tissue is given by providing an example of Ian Rosenberg who underwent the procedure in 2003 successfully. More evidence based argument is given by giving an example of Dorairajan Balasubramanian who is an eye practitioner who has used stem cells to repair eyes. It is therefore more convincing that even treatment of Alzheimers disease as well as Parkinsons disease is very possible. In fact in their report to Congress, Johnson and Williams (2006), cite treatment of these diseases as potential benefits of stem cell research. Johnson and Williams further assert that the adverse of chemotherapy in these diseases can highly be avoided using stem cells.

    The article also defends the argument for the successful use of stem cells by citing the successful use of autologous nose cells in repairing spinal cord. This successfully tackles the problem of organ or tissue rejection an argument that is also supported by Laughlin et al (2006). The ability to present this argument without leaning on one side of the research (i.e. adult stem cells versus embryonic stem cells) is also commendable as it helps in appreciating the benefits of the two cell types. This article is also presented with ethical and moral issues at hand as it concludes by highlighting these challenges.

    Despite the clear and concise presentation of this argument, Bay and Ford have not presented the likely harmful effects of the science of stem cell research. This paper therefore appears biased. It is for instance acknowledged that stem ell therapy is likely to lead to cancerous growth as there may be the problem of controlling cell proliferation (Johnson  Williams, 2006). In addition, the illustrations on the successful use of stem cell therapy are too few leaving room for doubt on whether to generalize these benefits. It would have been more convincing if Bay and Ford referred for instance two more than one example in every disease. The arguments of this article are also mainly based on opinions of Alan Colman whose main arguments are based on likelihood of the success of the research itself rather than actual outcomes. For instance, Colman thinks that Alzheimers patients may also benefit without further exploring how they may benefit (Bay  Matt, 2006).

    This article is however convincingly presenting stem cell research as having the potential to treat a variety of previously difficult to treat diseases. It is no doubt from the examples presented and the additional information presented in Johns and Williams (2006) and Laughlin et al (2006), that the future of modern medicine is to be reshaped.  It is agreeable from the article that both adult and embryonic stem cells ought to be studied in the cure of diseases as they complement one another. The great potential of stem cell research in alleviating human suffering is reasonable enough to agree to the research of stem cells. It is nevertheless acknowledgeable that this stand is bound to raise more ethical debates among the pro-life advocates and the religious fraternity. Taking this course is also likely to evoke the questions of ensuring that the research is not used maliciously including spreading it to cloning human beings. However, proper regulations can be formulated to deal with these challenges.

    Stem cell research is an ethical matter in medicine which holds the promise of alleviating human suffering. By taking this course, it is possible to cure diseases such as cancers, diabetes, spinal cord injury and Alzheimers disease. Even with such potential, ethical and moral issues must be considered.