Stem Cell Research?

As Jamaica's status as a 'human research lab' becomes more attractive we see stories like the following. Sound de abeng! We new legislation to protect those unsuspecting 'lab subjects' otherwise are we prepared to deal with the fallout?


LETTER OF THE DAY - Stem cell pills - is Jamaica ready?published: Thursday November 1, 2007
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Stem cells are cells that have the ability to duplicate themselves and become any tissue or organ of the body. There are basically three different types of stem cell research - embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells and recently, stem cells from the umbilical cord.
Stem cells in America are still a hot topic, even for the scientific world. However, in our tiny country where there is very little information on that sort of thing, we are gulping down pills. Yes, the material that has been provided to be read before taking the pills is very convincing. I read it and it seems like a miracle-working product. We must realise though that this material was made by the company distributing the pills, as such, the information though true would not reflect the controversy behind stem cells.
While doing this research, I was thinking this is good, it has great benefits. After a while, it dawned on me - are humans going too far? It seemed to me that man was in some way playing God; with this new stem cell research there is talk of cloning organs and even food. Furthermore, I do not know the side effects or what is going to happen to me in the next 20 years.
Speculation
The truth is, scientists could not tell you that either, if they tried they would be speculating. Do you really want to place your life in speculation? Will these pills cause irreversible damage to my body sooner or later? Or will I have to be on the pills for the rest of my life? There are really a lot of questions we cannot answer about the stem cell pills, which are, surprisingly, on the Jamaican market.
The pill that I came in contact with was actually to help release adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are stem cells that are released by our bodies (the bone marrow), but as adults they are released at a slower rate than when we were children, therefore, slowing down the recuperating process, if allowing it at all. In the news we frequently hear about embryonic stem cells, as these are more powerful than adult stem cells. This poses a problem as the United States Government, who are willing to fund stem cell research, will most likely put more emphasis on the research of embryonic stem cells rather than in the research of adult stem cells there still will be research done on adult stem cells, it will take some time before we are fully aware of this new phenomenon.
Stem cells do help
Despite the fact that we do not know the full effects of the stem cell pills, there is no doubt in my mind that it does help. According to the NIH (National Institute of Health) in the United States, "Stem cells may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases." It helps with diseases such as Parkinson's disease, end-stage kidney disease, liver failure and cancer. The fact that it rebuilds damaged tissues or organs is remarkable. The pills basically speed up the process of getting better or tell the body to self-heal.
Although it is so helpful, I believe it is important for us as a nation and individuals to be more cautious concerning the health care products we take. At this time, we know so little about stem cells, I believe we should wait a little and get more information before taking the pills. We should not make ourselves the guinea pigs.
I am, etc.,
MONICA KAYSCUM
cur-iousity@hotmail.com
Manchester
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