I am just wondering how many people really know what they are doing and why? How many people actually know what ALS is, how many Americans are diagnosed with it, and how research is being conducted in the name of finding a cure. According to some US statistics, about 5,600 Americans every year are diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Approximately 30,000 Americans suffer from this neurodegenerative disease, which weakens the body's muscles. Progression of the disease results in the inability to move one's limbs, paralysis, and death.
This disease is awful! My heart and prayers goes out to the people who suffer from it. I'm sure none of us can relate to the pain, agony, loss of independence, and the mental anguish that people with ALS and their families go through.
However, I feel it is important to bring some very important facts to light here. Research that is being done in the search for a cure for ALS involves stem cell research. Now, let's be clear on some things, before we go any further. ALS is NOT the only disease for which stem cell research is being conducted. There are a slew of other diseases for which this research is being conducted. Stem cell research has been around for a while and is HIGHLY controversial!
There are two types of stem cell research being conducted. One involves taking cells from adults, while the other takes cells from human embryos. Stem cells can be easily extracted from adults (particularly from bone marrow, or skin cells), which is relatively painless and easy. However, for embryonic stem cell research, embryos are made in a lab. Stem cells are used from these embryos, which destroys the embryo. Unused embryos are frozen and later discarded. Either way, embryos are being destroyed.
The debate is over whether or not an embryo is considered a "human," that has "life." Scientists in favor of using human embryos in research say no, it's not a human, and no it is not living. Their argument is based on the fact that the embryos are made in a lab through in vitro fertilization. Many people in the scientific community argue that since these embryos are not taken from a woman's womb, it does not matter.
There are many people who disagree with embryonic stem cell research, because of religious reasons. Whether it was made in a lab or not, is not the point! The point amongst many in this community is that once there is fertilization of the egg, resulting in human conception and the multiplication of cells, there is life; human life! To destroy that life, whether by conducting experiments that destroys the human embryo, or by discarding the unused human embryo, does not matter. Life is life, and it should be protected and preserved!
The fact that stem cells can be garnered from adults, without killing them, is the main argument against embryonic stem cell research. Presidents have debated over this and drawn lines in the sand. President Bush was NOT in favor of using embryos for stem cell research. He was so much opposed to it, that he signed executive orders against it. These were overturned by our current president, who is very much in favor of embryonic stem cell research.
There is also another method of gaining stem cells for research. The umbilical cords of newborn babies are full of highly viable stem cells. These umbilical cords can be frozen and used at later times for research. No death comes to the newborn baby, who no longer needs the umbilical cord. Since the umbilical cord is from a newborn baby, the stem cells are young, vibrant cells that can be used in research to potentially cure many diseases. So, there is another way that is win-win for both sides. Youthful, vibrant cells can be used, without there being death or destruction involved.
Unfortunately, embryonic stem cells are being used now, more than ever. This is because Obama overturned Bush's executive order against it. Many scientists say it's cheaper to use embryos for their stem cells than adults. While, I am sure we all want to see diseases cured, are we counting the cost to do so?
I post a challenge to all of the Ice Bucket Challengers. Do you KNOW the true affects of your challenge? Are you counting the entire cost? Most researchers, for cures for any disease, insist on using human embryos, despite the fact that no results or cures have been found, after conducting over 25 years of human embryonic stem cell research. The question you should ask yourself is this: Am I in full agreement with taking human life to do research, that may or may not save human life (as there is no guarantee the research will lead to a cure). I am not saying this to condemn anyone, but to educate everyone! If you choose to donate to research for a cure for ALS, or any other disease, PLEASE make sure human embryos are not killed in the process. There are two other options for researchers to use, that hurts no one, and preserves ALL life! I encourage you to support that kind of research.
I would caution everyone from just following the crowd or jumping on a band wagon, because something looks cool or is popular. Look deeper into it. KNOW all the facts, before you follow the crowd. We are living in days where it is so easy to join the crowd and do what everyone else is doing, but again I urge you to count the FULL cost of a thing, before you join in. This is true now with the ALS challenge and many more things to come in the very near future. We must educate ourselves and make wise choices, because in the end, they will matter and we will all have to explain ourselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment