Oct 08
17
Testicle Stem Cells Just as Good as Embryonic?
Well, this is interesting news certainly. Apparently the stem cells that can be taken from a man’s testicles may be as valuable in stem cell research and it’s benefits to the human condition as embryonic stem cells, which could potentially end some of the of the moral debate about embryonic stem cells being used, since some debate that it is ending a potential life by taking those stem cells to do research on and in the process destroying them. I’m all for stem cell research by the way, no matter how it is done, whether the cells are taken from the embryo or not.
However there is a catch – since the stem cells from testicles come from men, their applications are only for men. They apparently cannot be used on women. Hmm, ok I guess I’m a little confused because I thought that embryonic stem cells, which originate in a woman’s body (granted it is fertilized by a sperm) could be used on everyone. But never mind, I guess since it comes from both that does make sense, but I guess I’m surprised that embryonic research is sex-specific and that one type only benefits one sex. I did not know that!
The biggest implication now for testicle stem cells is for the regrowth or regeneration of damaged tissue. We all know that stem cell research can greatly benefit humanity, and has far reaching promise when it comes to autoimmune and nervous system diseases, like Parkinsons and even cancer some say. Another important use for stem cell regrowth of tissue can be people who have somehow damaged their spinal cords. it could make people walk again in other words, and that’s nothing short of a miracle.
Obviously the biggest advantage that stem cells taken from the testicles is that they do not come bogged in all the moral dilemmas and debate we have going on. As you know, many people’s religion and personal convictions prohibit the destruction of a potential human life, which is how embryonic stem cells are viewed by those that take the hard line approach to whether it’s right or wrong. With the cells coming from a man, there is no life being destroyed, and the debate wouldn’t have any merit, letting the research go no unhindered.
