Mankind has never been satisfied with accepting the status quo. From the beginning of time, man has endeavored to improve his lot and to make things easier for himself. It is only natural that great efforts have been made over the ages to conquer deadly diseases and in the process major successes have been accomplished. Diseases that killed millions of people are now treated routinely and successfully. At stem cell research facilities scientists hope to achieve the next major breakthrough.
Patients have been receiving bone marrow transplants for a number of years. Up to now, however, only patients suffering from leukemia and certain other blood related diseases are considered to be eligible and then only as a very last resort. The blood cells of these patients are destroyed by chemo therapy and surgeons hope to encourage the growth of new and healthy cells through bone marrow transplants.
At present, bone marrow transplants can at best add a few years to the life expectancy of patients. It is not a cure for cancer. But scientists hope that new studies and ongoing efforts will eventually result in an actual cure for many different types of cancer. The complex nature of these studies necessitates a very slow pace, however. Scientists admit that a cure for cancer is still some years away.
Many researchers in this field focus on the use of bone marrow transplants to repair damage done to the brain due to injuries and destructive diseases such as Alzheimer and dementia. The idea is that the transplant will cause the growth of new brain cells that will replace the damaged ones. In this way, even extensive damage to the brain and the spinal cord will eventually be repaired.
Another area where researchers focus is on heart diseases. Heart disease in its various forms is still one of the biggest killers worldwide. Scientists hope that with bone marrow transplants they will be able to stimulate new cells to grow inside the heart in order to replace damaged ones. If efforts in this area are ever successful, millions of lives will be saved and medicine will never be the same again.
Bone marrow transplants and its potential benefits are surrounded by controversy. Numerous critics, many of them renowned medical scientists themselves, say that these transplants are outright dangerous and that there is no indication that they actually benefit the patient. Critics also point out that the cells that are transplanted are routinely obtained from the umbilical cords of unborn babies. This raises serious ethical issues and paves the way for abuse.
Critics are adamant that researchers have not made any progress at all. They attract massive funding by extolling the numerous benefits that their research will eventually offer to mankind. Critics say that these benefits, if they can ever be realized at all, are many years in the future. The hype and publicity surrounding this type of research only serve to create false hope and unrealistic expectations.
Nobody knows what marvels the future holds. However, if bone marrow transplants can one day be used to create healthy living cells to replace damaged and destroyed cells, it would be a true medical miracle indeed. Unfortunately, one will have to wait and see.
Patients have been receiving bone marrow transplants for a number of years. Up to now, however, only patients suffering from leukemia and certain other blood related diseases are considered to be eligible and then only as a very last resort. The blood cells of these patients are destroyed by chemo therapy and surgeons hope to encourage the growth of new and healthy cells through bone marrow transplants.
At present, bone marrow transplants can at best add a few years to the life expectancy of patients. It is not a cure for cancer. But scientists hope that new studies and ongoing efforts will eventually result in an actual cure for many different types of cancer. The complex nature of these studies necessitates a very slow pace, however. Scientists admit that a cure for cancer is still some years away.
Many researchers in this field focus on the use of bone marrow transplants to repair damage done to the brain due to injuries and destructive diseases such as Alzheimer and dementia. The idea is that the transplant will cause the growth of new brain cells that will replace the damaged ones. In this way, even extensive damage to the brain and the spinal cord will eventually be repaired.
Another area where researchers focus is on heart diseases. Heart disease in its various forms is still one of the biggest killers worldwide. Scientists hope that with bone marrow transplants they will be able to stimulate new cells to grow inside the heart in order to replace damaged ones. If efforts in this area are ever successful, millions of lives will be saved and medicine will never be the same again.
Bone marrow transplants and its potential benefits are surrounded by controversy. Numerous critics, many of them renowned medical scientists themselves, say that these transplants are outright dangerous and that there is no indication that they actually benefit the patient. Critics also point out that the cells that are transplanted are routinely obtained from the umbilical cords of unborn babies. This raises serious ethical issues and paves the way for abuse.
Critics are adamant that researchers have not made any progress at all. They attract massive funding by extolling the numerous benefits that their research will eventually offer to mankind. Critics say that these benefits, if they can ever be realized at all, are many years in the future. The hype and publicity surrounding this type of research only serve to create false hope and unrealistic expectations.
Nobody knows what marvels the future holds. However, if bone marrow transplants can one day be used to create healthy living cells to replace damaged and destroyed cells, it would be a true medical miracle indeed. Unfortunately, one will have to wait and see.
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