Genetic Technology: Stem Cell Research

As we developed in genetic technology in the recent decades, we have opened the opportunities to do what was practically impossible in the past. The development of genetic engineering and stem cell research were a pivotal point in medicine history as they revolutionized & changed the techniques we use to handle various diseases. Genetic engineering and stem cell research both opened the possibilities for treatments & aid from what ranged from feasible daily-life aspects, like food and crops, to more serious diseases & injuries, like diabetes and spinal cord injury. Nevertheless, both have numerous advantages, but still how much help will they actually provide along with what negative impact will they have on society, for instance, in treating spinal cord injuries?

Inevitably, millions of people suffer and are living with spinal cord injuries; whether they were from work, sports, or falls. The severity of the injury depends on the location of the injury along the vertebrae of the spinal cord. A victim may become paralyzed starting from a certain level of his body and downward. This means the victim could lose the sense of feeling in his or her limbs, and thus ending up in a wheelchair. There has been some unsuccessful treatment trials like the use of methylprednisolone, but it demonstrated a failure in treating the case as well as using hypothermia therapy. (Wikipedia 2009 online).

However, a potential treatment has been found; stem cell transplant. Its aim is to lessen the paralysis and regenerate nerve fibers since nerve cells are not replaced when damaged. Stem cells are taken from excess embryos of in vitro fertilization. Since embryonic stem cells do not have a specific function yet, they can develop into any kind of c...

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