Introduction:
Investigative Question: Can stem cells be used to cure a neurological disease, namely; Parkinson’s Disease?
The aim of this research is to determine if stem cells can be used to cure Parkinson’s disease. I too aim to determine if such may be achieved by using stem cells that are obtained in an ethically unchallenging manner, such as by using induced pluripotent stem cells, which are created from one’s own skin, to cure the disease.
I chose to conduct research into this topic as currently there is no single cure for Parkinson’s Disease. All that currently exists to help the disease’s estimated 7-10 million sufferers are suppressive medicines that do not cure the patients of the disease but better their symptoms thereof. Stem cell therapy, if proven viable, will be the first treatment of the disease that will truly rid the patients of this disease and immediately improve their lives.
There is currently much research being conducted regarding the using of stem cells to cure Parkinson’s and whether or not this may be a viable method to do such. To aid in the answering of my question, I researched the progress that different scientists and laboratories across the world have made regarding such by means of the research/experiments that they have conducted. By putting all this information together and examining it I will be able to determine if stem cells can cure Parkinson’s Disease.
Reviews of Literature:
Source 1: Parkinson’s disease: How Could Stem
In the past twenty years, many drugs have been developed to treat the disease. Although the cause of Parkinson's disease is still unknown, scientists have been developing methods of treatment and therapy. The idea is to replace dopamine in the brain, which is accomplished, to some extent, with the administration of L-Dopa. In conjunction with other drugs, L- Dopa "inhibits the enzymes that break down L-dopa in the liver, thus making a greater part of it available to the brain" (5). This treatment is very successful, but it only hinders the disease for a time and it is by no means a cure. That leaves us with stem-cells and the role they play in treatment of Parkinson's disease.
The goal of this paper is to compare the utility of adult, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat Parkinson’s disease. As such several things will be assessed, dosage of stemcells, improvement in motor function, in combination with the presence of α-synuclein proteins and cell survival.
“Genetic engineering and drug development can cure and therapies of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, so embryonic stem cells in not the only way to treat patients” (McLean 3). People witness the development of cancer treatments with the enhancement of more effective drugs. Also, nanotechnology allows scientists to deliver drugs only to the cancerous cells, so that the nearby healthy cells remain unaffected. Genetic engineering provides prospect in curing Parkinson’s disease which causes loss of body control. “Scientists develop Parkinson’s disease in laboratory mice to and genetically engineer their nerve cells to make them become light sensitive. When these nerve cells are exposed to light, then nerve impulses travel along them and the mice are again able to move their bodies” (McLean 4). People speculate that this discovery can be used to cure Parkinson’s in humans. Critics of embryonic stem cell research believe that people don’t need to pursuing embryonic stem cell research will be negated by promising advances in drug development and genetic
Diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are caused by dopamine levels in the brain being very low or not existent at all. With stem cell research, researchers can help regrow new and healthy brain cells to help address complications with these diseases. Stem cells can also help with neurological complications and replace spinal cord neurons.
Did you know that since 1981, researchers have been removing embryonic stem cells from thousands of embryos to create cells that could potentially save people from diseases? How many patients do you think this has helped since then? Hundreds? Thousands? Wrong. In fact, not one “cure” has been found to help people with Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease and so many more rare diseases that it is said to be able to help.
The treatment group received open brain surgery where they were implanted with fetal tissues. The fetal tissues were expected the fetal tissues to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease enough that patients could take less medication for the disease. Then the placebo group received open brain surgery; however, nothing was changed or implanted. After the surgeries, researchers observed the patients for any form of improvement. Many patients with the implant were able to slowly reduce medication intake. For many patients in the treatment group the ability to move their limbs was less painful and restricted. However, this trail had its setbacks. A select few patients in the placebo group reported with increase function of their limbs. The patients believed it was due to the surgery, when in reality they did not truly receive any surgery to improve their conditions. Due to this information using fetal tissue as a cure for Parkinson’s disease was decided to be further studied before providing it to society as cure for Parkinson’s disease.
For many people, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological issues are a difficult obstacle. However, imagine a world where these problems could be solved. Scientists believe that one day, that could be our world. With the use of stem cells, it would be possible to replace cells that have been killed by disease. Stem cell research has been around for about 30 years, but hasn’t been widely practiced due to the many people who have major ethical problems with it and the ban in which removed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Since a large majority of stem cell research involves the use embryos, a lot people
From the medical perspective, stem cell research is viewed as very promising due to the fact that if stem cells can be introduced into patients with a range of illnesses, they could possible help regenerate the tissues and organs of the patients and thereby help heal illnesses (and especially degenerative illnesses) that are currently incurable. For example, Lovell-Badge has indicated that diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease are among the illnesses that could
It is estimated that nearly 1,658,370 new cancer cases will occur in 2015 year, but with larger funding for stem cell research it would be possible to save lives and lessen this number in years to come (American Cancer Society, 2015). Major diseases throughout the world like Parkinson's, has affected many people, but with the help of stem cell research there has been breakthroughs in which the cure of the disease can be severely benefited from this research. Alzheimer's is greatly concerned with the elder population in today's society with more funding for stem cell research the concern can be decreased for those who suffer from this disease. Besides from these diseases the majority of stem cell research focuses on cancer, with more and more
About seven million people worldwide, one million people in America, and about 60,000 new people every year are all affected by one disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Statistics). That disease is Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s takes away little things like movement that many of us take for granted. Lives are changed because of Parkinson’s, but there is hope. Through medical breakthroughs discovered in recent years, my grandpa and many others suffering from Parkinson’s disease have a chance at a better life.
Stem Cell Research is a topic that Americans feel very strongly about, making it a highly contentious topic in the U.S. . Those who support Stem Cell Research believe it gives ample opportunity for the discovery of innovative, and lifesaving medical treatments, and not all times results in the destruction of an embryo. Some supporters point out that stem cell research results in new information that could help improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from diseases currently without curesd, among other things. Furthermore, stem cell research could potentially replace animal testing. For instance, according to “Stem Cell” neuron replacement can be used as a treatment for patients suffering from Parkinson disease (stem cell 2016).
Parkinson’s is a disease where patients do not have enough dopamine, because some of their nerve cells have died in the brain. Dopamine controls the movement in the body, and without it movement becomes slow. Treatments for Parkinson’s are used to control the symptoms. This disease is not well known because patients do not generally die from Parkinson’s. As Parkinson’s progresses the symptoms get worse and can cause other health issues. I used current research papers and information found pertaining to different Parkinson’s organizations to argue the point that Parkinson’s does not have enough awareness and funding for scientists to find a cure.
In the new discoveries of the treatment for Parkinson’s disease in the informative article by Matthew Mientka titled “A New Parkinson's Disease Treatment? Fetal Dopamine Stem Cells Thrive After Transplantation In The Brain” and in a secondary informative article referring to the same finding of a treatment for Parkinson’s
Stem cell therapy has helped researchers learn more about the growth of human cells and their development Stem cell therapy has many medical benefits. Researcher found a way to use stem cell to clone animals and organs. Stem cell therapy shows unlimited potential in the treatment of a number of conditions like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, cancer, diabetes and possible organ failure. Stem cell research will allow scientists to test a number of potential medicines and drugs without continuing experimental test on animals and humans. The drug can be tested on a population of cells directly.
Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, Alzheimer’s. This world is plague by countless diseases and there existed a time where, after many failed research attempts, scientists began to believe that people would always suffer from these diseases. However, with the introduction of stem cell research those past notions were dismissed. Upon their introduction, stem cell’s provided a new hope to the world and it proved itself to be an invaluable asset. Through stem cell research, a multitude of cures have been brought upon the world and these diseases that were uncontrollable in the past, can now be regulated and the ones suffering from now have a chance at living a better life. Sadly, there are many people who