Is the Secret to Health Found in Stem Cells?

We hear much controversy conce
ing the ethical nature of Stem Cell research. In particular embryonic stem cells. The reason is clear, embryonic stem cells are taken from a developing embryo, thus destroying it.

Yet Stem Cell research continues because they have shown to have the potential to develop or transform themselves into almost any cell in the human body. This means a rejuvenation of damaged or injured organs. Many of todays so called degenerative diseases, which we currently have little if any effective therapies, could in fact be alleviated or healed. Advocates of Stem Cell research argue that Stem Cells could hold the key to curing diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. Facinating science.

However, what most people have not heard about is Adult Stem Cells. These Stem Cells are found in the human body, mainly in the bone marrow. Recent research shows that Adult Stem Cells also have the ability to renew damaged organs and tissue within the body.

In fact, while embryonic Stem Cells have not been used in even one human therapy, Adult Stem Cells have already been used successfully in numerous patients. Jay Lefkowitz, a former adviser to President Bush on Stem Cell policy says, "Adult Stem cells are really where the real progress is being made."

The key difference with Stem Cells is that they can divide, regenerate and actually become different organ cells. Research has conclusively show
Stem Cells can become liver cells, blood cells, pancrea cells, heart cells, and even brain cells. Almost any cell or tissue in the body.

For decades now Adult Stem Cells have been used very successfully in bone marrow transplants to treat certain cases of blood disorders and leukemia. A massive amount of research, which is still in it's early stage but none the less very promising, shows impressive results for heart damage due to heart attacks, liver disease, bone and cartilage diseases and brain disorders.

In a landmark experiment, Professor Saul J. Sharkis of John Hopkins University was able to convert bone-marrow Adult Stem Cells from animal donors into healthy liver cells. He says, "It is mind blowing stuff. I never would have thought this would be possible."

In another landmark experiment carried out by scientist at Yale University in 2001, Adult Stem Cells taken from the bone marrow of male mice were injected into female mice whose own marrow was destroyed by radiation irradation. Eleven months later, the male stem cells (identified through the Y chromosome) were found not only in the females' bone marrow, but also in their blood, guts, lungs and skin tissue.

While there is still much to learn about the magic of Adult Stem Cells, we can rest assure that a breakthrough in health is right around the corner.