Pros and Cons of Cord Blood Stem Cell Research?
While much has been said both for and against cord blood stem cell research , there is no denying its effectiveness in the treatment of some cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. However, pro-life advocates are calling it a slippery slope towards the even more controversial embryonic stem cell research. But just what are the pros and cons of cord blood stem cell research ?
Benefits of stem cell research
As noted above, cord blood has been very beneficial for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. These diseases are forms of cancer that affect the body's immune system, rendering it defenseless from common infections and diseases. So it is not unheard of for sufferers of these diseases to die from a common cold or stomach flu.
In the past, these diseases were treated by surgery, usually involving an implant of bone marrow from a compatible donor. Occasionally, these operations become successful in putting the cancer into remission. But because surgery is such an invasive procedure, both the recipient and the donor have to undergo significant trauma in order for the healing process to begin. Also, this procedure opens up the possibility of the host developing graft versus host disease where the transplanted tissue is rejected by the body of the host.
Because umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that are more primitive than stem cells in adult bone marrow, the possibility of these cells being rejected by the host is diminished. Also, transplants are significantly less invasive and can occasionally be performed while the patient lies in bed. Whether or not the stem cells used in the transplant came from the host's own umbilical cord or from another does not matter. The use of the host's own cord blood (referred to as an autologous transplant) and use of a different donor's cord blood (referred to as an allogeneic transplant) have both been recorded as equally successful.
Cons of cord blood stem cell research
Critics of cord blood stem cell research say that umbilical cord blood transplants are only a step away from the more controversial embryonic stem cell harvesting. This procedure enables the growth of entire organs and it is a life-saving treatment for patients with heart and kidney ailments. However, this involves the extraction of stem cells from fetuses that have been aborted, and abortion as a medical practice is a very controversial topic today. It challenges the people's deep-seated values and this is actually the heart of these heated debates. Critics of stem cell research argue that if these practices become prevalent, then there is nothing to prevent the practice of human cloning. Moral, ethical, and even religious concerns have been raised regarding these topics. Critics often call any kind of interference with the natural birth process as “playing God.” Currently, the world at large remains undecided as to its general stand regarding the topics of stem cell research , abortion, and human cloning, all of which are interrelated to each other.