Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Stem Cell Research

This paper will persuasively negotiate a standing on the use of the stem-cell research and ALS and why currently ALS is being used as the best therapy for the same purpose. Background Information The ALS disease as mentioned before is a neurodegenerative disorder that exhibits progressive weakening and death of the motor neurons with symptoms like general weakness, spasticity, muscle atrophy and fasciculation. It is one of the most common disorder with a rate of prevalence of 4 to 6 persons per 100, 000 people and worldwide incidence of 2 to 3 people per 100, 000 (Lunn, Sakowski & Feldman, 2015). The patients suffering from this disorder tend to die in a range of 3 to 5 years after diagnosis and this is associated with the progressive loss of the motor neurons and the continuous skeletal muscle weaknesses. The most affected muscles are the breathing muscles and this is the major cause for the death.

The current and available therapies may indeed take early advantage of the various stem cells in the modification of disease pathophysiology, halt or even slow down the disease progression by giving protective support to the cells in the surrounding, inhibit inflammation, modulation of the host immunity environment and or even replacement of the cells that would have undergone injury (Mao, Zhang & Chen, 2015). In this regard, several stem cells have been researched as an ALS treatment alternative including mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells, embryonic stem cells and even the induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Research The stem cells have indeed been very critical in medical research. This discovery contributed to the ever first human bone marrow transplant which although very important in saving the life of humanity, it has come with it much controversy over the years.

This is attributed to complications that come with the process of stem transplantation happening through the current modern issues such as whether the patients who elderly should also undergo the transplant therapy, the number of cells that can be sufficient for engraftment of different hematopoietic stem cells type transplants and also considering the role and functions of the therapies associated with irradiation processes in transplant preparation. The adult stems are limited in their differentiation of the different types of cells from their origin. However, there has been discovery evidence that suggests that the adult stem cell may exhibit plastic characteristics and this then increases the cell type numbers a particular stem cell can grow into and become. However, there are numerous controversies that surround the use of the embryonic stem cells on what restrictions should be employed in the studies that use these cell types.

Other controversies include the point at which one would consider the beginning point of life. Currently, the political leaders globally are having a debate on how to fund research and regulate studies involving the medical proposal of the techniques in use for the removal of the embryonic cells. In the future, the researchers anticipate the possibility of using technologies coming from research on stem cells in the treatment of impairments and diseases. The diseases like Parkinson and spinal cord injuries have been poised to respond the medical benefits that come with the use of research undertaken for stem cells. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis This is a motor neuron diseases that is characterized by inevitable disease progression, problems with communication and increasing difficulties with mobility. This is a reality with also the devastating impact of a lifespan that is shortened.

Such reality affects the patients greatly including their relationships with their partners, family members, and their social friends. The decision making is critical to enhancing the individual's autonomy over the decisions to be undertaken. These would ensure that the person has sufficient background information to assist them in making decisions. It will also require that the provided information is made in an empathic and sympathetic manner outlining and giving out the arguments on both sides of the divide. It will also require that adequate time is consumed in the explanations of the different points with the aim of carrying out treatments. More so, there would be the need for support either from friends or family. However, the religious groups have stood against such decisions since they believe the final answer to life and death is with the creator who endows life to everyone as he wills.

The DNAR (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation) has been proposed by many to allow the individuals to naturally die. Such would be like the physicians taking a person’s life in their hands and determining when they should live. In this regard, the use of ALS comes with requests from patients for assisted deaths. There are jurisdictions that indeed support and could allow such circumstances in their legislation. For instance, the stem cell research faces the argument of pro-life movements that argue that such actions would mean violating the fundamental human right life, the right to life. On the other hand, the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis faces the argument of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) in case of a cardiopulmonary arrest. However, this presumes also that resuscitation would not prolong the life of the victim.

Therefore, there is a need for a multidisciplinary team from all sectors to consider the necessary legal and medical considerations including human right issues to come up with a middle group that perhaps will suit and serve all the worrying teams. References Bedlack, R. PubMed, https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683324/. Stem cell therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Recent advances and prospects for the future. PubMed, https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. Mitsumoto, H.  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A guide for patients and families. The United States? Accessible Publishing Systems. Pagnini, F. Simmons, Z.