All About Stem Cell Research, Research Paper Example

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells capable of mitosis and producing more cells (Weaver, Young & Zhang, 2007, p. 804). Extensive research is being conducted in this science. Research has shown where Stem cell implantation is costly because it is not covered by many insurance companies as it is too expensive and the outcomes are not guaranteed. People with serious diseases find it difficult to afford stem cell procedures. Besides, the activities implicated in cell production and application has not yet reached commercial value. This is mainly due to the high cost of health care. Only rich people could afford stem cell procedures. Further, when state funding accessibility is considered research agencies interested in developing the science are quick to invest their resources.

Reasons for Stem cells are cells research and implantation gaining such momentum in modern science relates to its ability that to develop into many different types of cells. It all depends on where they were retrieved from. Cells could be taken from almost any part of the body once they are multipotent or pluripotent. Their main function is repair to systems and organs. Theoretically stem cells divide. The significance and excitement surrounding stem cell research and implantation the twenty-first century cannot be denied. This research engages an exposition into the economic impacts, health benefits and media /social influence on stem cell activity across the globe (Weaver et. Al, 2007, p. 806).

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine released document revealing a profound economic impact measuring the stem cell agency’s financial economic on the sate state. This study showed where the Berkley Research group associated with the Emeryville-based global consulting firm invested a primary $1.5 billion towards grants expected to generate an estimated $286 million in 2014 as tax revenue in the state. From this amount accrued $205 million will be given to the state and $81 million towards assisting local governments’ expenditure. .More importantly, it was discovered that some of these awards generated approximately $530 million in tax revenue for federal governments (Banta, 2007).

As such, stem cell research and implantation has its economic justification in California. However, across the country and in places, such as India, where stem cell activity is prevalent there are similar economic gains. The disadvantage mainly lies in accessibility due to costs. While there are no racial barriers to stem cell applications, persons in an affluent economic position are more likely to access the services. So far not all Mediocre and Medicaid health plans cover stem cell implantations.  Precisely, the costs or seem cell implantation is very high as health care itself.  For example, to access the service treatment approval must be obtained from Centers of Medicare/Medicaid in America. Countries vary in their approach to funding for stem cell implantations.

Currently, patients who can afford to have health plans covering expensive treatments pay for stem cell implantations. They include organ transplants ranging from $250,000 to $1.5 million United States dollars. Other procedures such as a cord blood bone marrow; Gaucher disease, sickle cell, treatment and Cerezyme treatments range approximately between 150,000 (US) to 500,000 (US)per year.  Consequently, only a small proportion of patients could afford stem cell treatment and insurance companies would not pay except it is a life and death situation. Besides, many other moral issues are considered in making this expensive investment (Jensen, 2013).

While this invention in medical science has saved many lives across the globe, the media is split on whether stem cell research and interventions are morally correct. Currently stem cell is being used to cure cancers, replace beta cell sin the islets of Langerhans. Many diabetic are given a new lease on life though stem cell activities in medical science. Cancers are also cured with stem cell implantations and more experiments are being conducted internationally to ensure that stem cell becomes the major medical breakthrough in the twenty-first century (Tuch, 2005, p. 720).

The health benefits of stem cell implantation cannot be over emphasized. To date figures reveal that a total of approximately 128.4 million patients are expected to benefit from stem cell research and the implantation process. This number is distributed among cardiovascular diseases, 58 million: autoimmune conditions, 30 million; diabetes, 16 million, osteoporosis, 10 million; cancers, 8.2 million; Alzheimer’s disease, 5.5 million and Parkinson’s another 5.5 million. Minimum benefits have been projected for birth defects and spinal cord injuries (Saw, 2006).

Media discrepancies are widely propagated that stem cells are derived from embryos. Strong stem cells critics contend that using embryonic tissue is destroying a life, which is tantamount to murder. However, when the health benefits are measured against the moralists’ criticisms media forces have forged a wide acceptance of its benefits and process as successful, selling to the public an idea that stem cell ought to be accepted as a medical miracle and advancement in the science. Other social/media issues pertaining to stem cell implantation reflects that the media is very silent on the costs. Could it be that the media exerts a bias when reporting stem cell accessibility (Wu et.al. 2007).

In reality it does not matter whether the cell is derived from a human embryo or from rat cells either in research study or otherwise used, the costs of stem cell implantation is similar to the cost of engaging in space tourism, which means that only one in a few hundred thousand people could afford it. Thus, the media knows that it will be criticized for announcing the real cost of stem cell implantation because the procedure caters only patients who can afford paying for the procedure. However, it is also very closed in its comments pertaining to activities conducted in stem cell research in countries not considered as developed as USA, Canada and United Kingdom. The work and cost for procedures in India are not publicized as those done in these other three large developed nations. Reports are that patients go to India for many surgeries and procedures that cost a fortune in America and other developed countries (Saw, 2006).

The foregoing exposition outlined the reality of stem cell research and its utilization in in United States of America and across the globe. The health benefits are favorable, but accessibility continues to be a social issue.  It is disheartening to know that so much money is being expended on stem cell research and the ordinary man cannot receive any services due to economic constraints. However, everyone pays taxes and while stem cell is costly to produce, states are benefiting financially from the process, and companies would increase federal tax income, too. It is recommended that health care organizations advocate for more accessibility of stem cell procedures to persons who cannot pay for these expensive healthcare services.

References

Banta, D. (2013). Study Released on Economic Impact of Agency’s Stem Cell Research. San Diego Business Journal. 2013. February.

Jensen, D. (2013) Coverage, Cost-Control Mechanisms, and Financial Risk-Sharing Alternatives of High-Cost Health Care Technologies. California Institute of Regenerative Medicine.

Saw, J. (2006). Embryonic Stem cell research; An analysis of the media. Retrieved from  http://jsaw.lib.lehigh.edu/viewarticle.php?id=423&layout=html

Tuch, B. (2005). Stem cells—a clinical update. Australian Family Physician 35 (9), 719–721

Weaver, T. Young, L., & Zhang W (2007). Characterization of human embryonic stem cell lines by the International Stem Cell Initiative. Nat. Biotechnol 25 (7), 803–16.

Wu . C, Boyd., & Wood K. (2007). Embryonic stem cell transplantation: potential applicability in cell replacement therapy and regenerative medicine. Front Biosci 12, 6 -12.