For the past several years, we have been hearing more about stem cell research. In some cases, we are talking about cloning entire animals or even people. In other cases, there have been reports regarding stem cell cures for diseases we never thought possible. There has also been a lot of debate about the ethics and morality involved in things like stem cell research involving cloning and how to deal with cells from certain types of tissue.
These conversations will likely continue long in the future, and many of the applications are more in the science fiction stage than anywhere close to real world use. However, there is work being done today on a more modest scale that may bring actual relief to patients sooner rather than later.
Such treatments should be approached with skepticism, given reports of unscrupulous stem cell treatment and research centers that have left patients seriously and permanently injured. Continue reading