Written by Harnoor Bhatti and Edited by Myra Ali
Recently, the phrase “stem cells” has been making waves in the medical and research fields. So far, scientists have been able to slow the growth of cancer cells, remove HIV from a living organism, and create new heart muscle with stem cells. It is a revolutionary period for medicine but what exactly are stem cells? How do they affect the everyday person, and should research methods using stem cells be funded?
Stem cells are unique types of cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types (such as muscle or brain cells) and can be used in the treatment of rare disorders such as sickle cell anemia, an inherited condition in which there is an insufficient amount of red blood cells to supply oxygen throughout the body. A healthy red blood cell can be imagined as a small, round disc that is flexible and delivers oxygen to the organs and muscles of the body from the lungs. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are deformed and may look like crescent moons or sickles, thus giving the name “sickle cell anemia”. This disease causes the cells to become stiff, leading the cells to clot together and create blockages within the blood vessels which causes irregular blood flow. As a result, the body becomes deprived of oxygen as less oxygen is delivered to the organs and muscles. Symptoms of the disease include swelling of the appendages, infections, periods of pain, and delayed growth. Further complications may include organ damage, strokes, and loss of vision.
Although there is currently no definite cure to the disease, stem cell research may be the answer. In April 2018, Revee Agyepong, a young woman in Canada, was cured of sickle cell anemia through a stem cell transplant. In this procedure, Agyepong was given the sickle-cell-free stem cells of her sister when it was discovered that they were a 100% match [1]. However, this is not the first time stem cells have aided in the cure for sickle cell anemia. In a 2013 trial, 26 out of 30 adult patients who were also treated by a stable donor showed no relapse and a complete recovery [2]. Revee and the patients have since recovered completely and no longer exhibit symptoms of sickle cell anemia.
Stem cell research is significant to all corners of medicine, not just sickle cell anemia. There are, however, debates over the morals of stem cells which mainly focus on religion. Many believe that living tissue created in a lab or human cloning are attempts to play God. Yet, the effects of stem cells cannot go unnoticed. There is ongoing research for an unlimited supply of clean blood and patches for damaged hearts, as well as cures for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. James Bobrow, an M.D. at the Washington University School of Medicine, makes a valid point in his argument that scientific research will always find a way to invade what is considered “sacred,” but that “stem cell research holds the prospect of relief from suffering for groups of people who have acute and chronic conditions” [3]. As of now, it is illegal to utilize federal funds for research on stem cells. Private institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health, currently supply the budget off of which stem cell research is thriving [4]. Stem cell research is pivotal to modern medicine and it does affect the everyday person combating incurable conditions. Stem cell research is definitely here to stay as it is not a new idea, but with the advanced technology of today, it has the potential to help many as it has helped those with sickle cell anemia.
References:
- Stagg, Carly. “Alberta woman one of first adults in Canada to be ‘cured’ of sickle cell anemia through stem cell transplant.” CBC. July 6, 2018.
- Hsieh M.M., Fitzhugh C.D., Weitzel R.P., Link M.E., Coles W.A., Zhao X., et al., (2014). Nonmyeloablative HLA-matched sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe sickle cell phenotype. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 312:48-56.
- Bobrow, J.C., (2005). The Ethics and Politics of Stem Cell Research. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 103:138-41.
- Reisman, M., Adams, K.T., (2014). Stem Cell Therapy: a look at current Research, Regulations, and Remaining Hurdles. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39:846-57.