The Promise of Stem Cells

Stem cells are the cells from which all other cells originate. In a human embryo, a large portion of the embryo's cells are stem cells. As the young child grows in her mother's womb, most of these cells begin to differentiate and become her heart, liver, kidneys and all of the 210 kinds of tissue found in a human body. Even though most of these cells become differentiated, all humans retain some stem cells in various parts of their bodies. These cells, with the correct chemical cue, can develop into specialized cells which an ailing body might need.

Since stem cells are so versatile and there are many diseases that result from the lack of or dysfunction of a single type of cell, there is hope within the medical community that stem cell research will lead to the effective and widespread treatments of human beings who are suffering from life-altering diseases and accidents. Some of the maladies include Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and heart disease.

Proponents of human embryonic stem cells often talk about the "promise" of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research has been receiving funding from the federal government since 2001, because of this, many think the research has helped those in need. The reality is human embryonic stem cells have not yet successfully treated a single human patient. No one can be certain if embryonic stem cells will ever be successful in treating human patients because of the large scientific obstacles which they need to overcome before they could be used.

In spite of this uncertain future, some proponents of human embryonic stem cell research wildly exaggerate the potential of embryonic stem cell research by claiming that it will cure a long list of diseases. This kind of "promise" is nothing more than hype and mere speculation. Future results are "promised" from researchers because there are no current successes in human patients.