Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes Essay -- Diabetes Mellitus Sci

Stem Cells in the Treatment of DiabetesDiabetes mellitus affects 18 million popularwealth in the U.S. alone (8.7% of the population) and more than 190 million worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes has change magnitude alarmingly in the past three decades and, corresponding to global dietary and lifestyle trends, is projected to nearly double in the next decade years (1). Although diabetes fuck be treated, serious complications from improperly managed diabetes are common and can lead to death. Recent reports suggest that one of the most shiny potential treatments may come from the use of stem cellular telephones, undifferentiated cells that can be coaxed into becoming insulin-producing islet-like cells that reduce diabetes symptoms in mice (2). There is one ethical catch, however stem cells can be derived from a number of sources, including giving wanders, but the purest source of stem cells with the greatest therapeutic potential is early-stage embryos. The form of deriv ing stem cells destroys the embryo. Does the human embryo have moral precondition that would proscribe its destruction, regardless of the potential good that might be achieved? If so, are there still avenues of stem cell research that are both scientifically viable as well as morally permissible?Diabetes is a disease that results from the bodys inability to maintain consistent levels of glucose (the main cogency source for cells) in the blood. In a healthy individual, blood glucose levels are kept within a certain range by insulin, a hormone that aids the uptake of glucose by cells. The release of insulin in answer to blood glucose levels is coordinated by clusters of cells in the pancreas called islets residing in these islets are the genus Beta cells, the cells that actually produc... ...cell? Journal of Clinical Investment. 111799-801.4. Hori, Y. et al. 2002. Growth inhibitors promote differentiation of insulin-producing tissue from embryonic stem cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.USA. 9916105- 16110.5. Ianus, A. et al. 2003. In vivo derivation of glucose-competent pancreatic endocrine cells from bone marrow without evidence of cell fusion. Journal of Clinical Investment. 111843-850. 6. Yang, L. et al. 2002. In vitro trans-differentiation of adult hepatic stem cells into pancreatic endocrine hormone-producing cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. USA. 998078-8083.7. Meyer, J. June 2000. Human embryonic stem cells and respect for life. Journal of Medical Ethics. 26 166-1708. Congregation for the ism of the Faith. Donum Vitae. I1-5. Boston St. Paul Editions, 1987.