Human-Canine Adult Stem Cell: Without Controversy?

Adult stem cell treatment has been around for 40 years already. Since its discovery in the 1960s, its already being used by veterinarians and veterinarian clinics. Most of adult stem cell therapies are for canine companions.

Ever since the discovery of how adult stem cell can help in curing sickness, further research and studies have been made. Scientists have fogging the line between human and animal. Chinese scientists at the Shanghai Second Medical University in 2003, have merged human cells with rabbit eggs. The embryos were reportedly the firs human-animal fusion successful created.

Adult stem cell research is a controversial and questioned by those who object to embryonic stem cell research. Unlike the more well-known embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have been proven to be useful for human medical treatments, such as bone marrow transplants, and they are already being used in veterinarian clinics.

They have been of wide interest in the field of medicine. Why? Stem cells have the potential to develop into almost all of the different types of cells. Their primary ability is priceless. They are able to repair damaged or defective tissues. Degenerative diseases, which had to effective therapies, could be alleviated or even cured by stem cell treatment.

For canine treatment, adult stem cell has been used to address different health concerns of aging animals, like arthritis. They may be even used to address issues of canine and animal cancer, brain injuries and heart diseases. Advocates of embryonic research, argue that adult stem cell research will help us cure of diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and many other kinds of sickness.

There are also medical researches saying that this technology can even be used to cure spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s disease. There are high personalities like Christopher Reeve and Michael J. Fox campaign for stem cell research. The medical possibilities, fuel up the debates.

Stem cell has been fueling controversies and ethical debates. Most of the ethical debates surrounding the stem cell controversy is about the creation, usage and destruction of human embryonic stem cells. People who object to using this practice says that this is a reproductive cloning and devalues the worth of human being. Some medical researches argue that it is necessary to pursue stem cell research for its medical potential. Other controversies are about religious practices and the great power doctors would have.

Pro-life advocates raise concerns about the status of the human embryo. Pro-life advocates believe that embryonic stem cell research violates the “sanctity of life” and is equivalent to murder. The fundamental assertion of those who oppose embryonic stem cell research is the belief that human life should not be violated. Pro-life and religious advocates state the fact than human life begins in the process of sexual reproduction, human life begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell.

Medical professionals argue that people have difficulty differentiating adult and embryonic stem cells. The adult stem cell are embryo- free and can only create a specific body tissue, cartilage or bone. While embryonic cells, have the potential to give rise to many kinds of tissues in the body, that could lead to dreaded diseases.

Adult stem cell started and is currently predominantly used by veterinarians to cure canine sickness. But the possibilities are limitless, medical sicknesses could be cured and a brighter future for those who are impaired with these kind of illnesses.