Stem Cell Therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Stem Cell Therapy - Essay Example Stem cells are capable of self regeneration and replicating itself, therefore giving birth to new generations with varying traits. The replication capabilities of these cells have the potential to replace the degraded areas of the body where diseases and injuries are located. The method of this new treatment is foreseen to be very effective due to the body’s tendencies to reject and experience side effects. One of the many forms of stem cell treatment is the Allogeneic Hematopietic Stem Cell Transplantation used as the main therapy practiced in hematologic malignancies. One of the more specific forms is the Myeloablative Hematopietic Stem Cell Transplantation found to be cure children with sickle cell disease. However, the same method proves to be disproportionately toxic to adults. (Naganska, 2009)2 Stem cell therapies are also used to treat myotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a neurodegenerative disease. The characteristics of this disease is the loss of motor neurons fou nd in the spinal column, motor cortex as well as the brain stem which results to the dramatic reduction of a patient’s life span. It usually leads to the death of the patient, caused ultimately by respiratory failure that can happen between two to five years into the disease. This is one of the major challenges in the field of medicine, despite the vast researches in neurobiological sciences, as well as molecular and genetic researches. The introduction of stem cell therapy was accepted with optimism to regenerate the cells of patients in order to not only prolong the lives of the patients, but also to cure the disease altogether. One of the most common diseases known to us as a leading cause of death all over the world is heart failure. Though medicinal methods have been able to sustain and prolong the lives of the patients, no actual cure has been introduced to totally remove the cause of the problem. Researchers are optimistic with the results of some laboratory experiment s together with some clinical tests that cellular intervention can possibly improve the cardiac functions, by regenerating the cardiac itself. (NIH, 2009)3 It has been found that progenitor cells derived from the bone marrow as well as other similar progenitor cells that may be found in various parts of the body can make the distinction into vascular types of cells that would result to restoration of the blood flows. Recent findings proved that local cardiac stem cells exhibited differentiation, transforming into multiple cell types that are found in the heart. This recent finding is indicative that the heart is not that different. Stems cells are unique from the other cell found in the body. They have three common characteristics, and the source as to where the stem cells were harvested will not affect thes characteristics. Stems cells are capable of self renewal and dividing for over long periods of time. Secondly, stem cells are not specialized and lastly, they are capable of yie lding specialized cells types. (Naganska, 2009)4 Initially, when researchers conceptualized the experiments, they tried it with an adult mouse by injecting stems cells into the muscle of the left ventricular wall of the mouse’ heart. They also tried injecting a human adult’s bone marrow stem cells into the tail vasculature of the mouse. They discovered that stem cells aid in the

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary - Essay Example As such, America has a right to torture terrorist suspects but under exceptional circumstances (Hickey, 2012). Crucial is the fact that terrorism does not take an isolated approach. This is to say that terrorism does not restrict to breaking of a law. Acts of terrorism inflict harm on third parties most of whom are innocent law abiding citizens. Terrorism is a crime against humanity because it causes harm to individuals and undermines the sanctity of freedoms such as the right to life. Moher (2004), advocates for the use of torture using the argument â€Å"a lesser of the two evils†. In the event that one person stands in the way of saving millions from harm by with holding information, then extreme measures are likely to suffice. However, sanctified the rights of an individual, the government is likely to protect the masses rather than one person (Hickey, 2012). While describing the phrase â€Å"a lesser of the two evils†, utilitarianism is in play. This is the idea th at a policy is as relevant as the extent to which it protects, to a greater advantage, the masses, as opposed to an isolated few. Nonetheless, there is a need to establish under what situation torture is valid and what form this torture will take. Currently, America utilizes the policy of torture under the Radar screen. This technique encompasses underground torture methods such as rendition. This is where the suspect is subject to interrogation in a nation that has less restrictive rules on torture by using torture lite methods. Moher (2004) holds that it is more appropriate to accept that torture exists and find a way to regulate it using the justice system. As such, he proposes utilizing a judicially sanctioned torture system. Under this judicial guise, torture will procure information from suspects with more advantages than disadvantages. First off, Moher (2004) reports on Professor Alan Dershowitz’s theory who suggests that torture be medically supervised to ensure that the process only causes pain and discomfort but not permanent body damage. Secondly, there will be some form of due process. This is because the suspect’s guilt is subject to the scrutiny of a neutral magistrate. Proofing beyond all reasonable doubt that a suspect has information is part of judicially sanctioned torture. Finally, in case of a fatality, the judicial system has the power to demand an explanation and, therefore, reducing the chances of extreme brutality on the suspects (Hickey, 2012). Moher (2004) argues that judicially sanctioned torture is, therefore, more humane than the current underground system. Moreover, it is imperative to note that his stand on torture is in regard to the ticking bomb scenario. That is the suspect is holding information needed sooner rather than later, and the lack of this information could result in greater damage than torturing would cause. In summary, these arguments call for the use of logic rather than the inclination towards moral ity and its related emotional entanglements. Utilitarianism in this case is a logical approach (Hickey, 2012). Though most torture methods do not have a scientific basis, their success in obtaining information has proven adequate for the most part (Clarke, 2007). Expert interrogators claim that humans tend to avoid pain and discomfor