STEM CELL THERAPY Stem cell therapy is the use of stem cells for cure and prevention of diseases and other pathological conditions. Stem cells are a special type of cells that can multiply by cell division to give rise to a variety of cells which then specialize into the numerous cell types that define the body. These cells are in the form of totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent stem cells. Having been discovered in the previous century, stem cell therapy has evolved with the tide of time from a speculation to a scientifically known solution for even the most lethal health conditions such as cancer; offering a ray of optimism in modern medicine. Stem cell therapy lies under a broader umbrella known as regenerative medicine, defined as the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human or animal cells, tissues and organs. Alike to stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine too has seen great evolution over time and offers solutions that were previously unimaginable. Such include among others treatment of terminal illness-causing diseases like cancers, degenerative disorders like the infamous Alzheimer’s disease and even genetic disorders. Some of the interventions are not yet in clinical application currently because just like pharmaceuticals, their safety has to be guaranteed before application. Notable among the stem cell therapies is the now-in-use hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) that offers a permanent solution to sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder that causes prehumous hell to many African-Americans and black Africans. Stem cell therapy is a biotechnology whose usage raises some ethical questions and sensitive conversations. Just like sister technologies of abortion, cloning and invitro fertilization, stem cell therapy raises controversy albeit to a much less extent because of the view that it is intrusive on the principles of nature. As such, ethical bounds are drawn to prohibit the use of embryonic stem cells (from prenates). Further still, the use of unproven stem cell interventions is outlawed in most countries where legislation on stem cell therapy exists. This comes in handy as stem cell tourism rises and bears unprecedented consequences on patients and their relatives and sponsors. Stem cell tourism is the practice of travelling abroad to seek stem cell interventions. Most of these are unproven stem cell interventions advertised to users over the internet and offered at exorbitant prices. In addition to these, there are more challenges faced in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Top among these is the financial burden incurred by providers and patients. Research is consequently constrained and little knowledge is thus available on the topic. The most vivid manifestation of this is the non-usage of regenerative medicine in most developing nations. Yet another impediment is quack medicine; where commercialization leads to endangering of patients’ lives in unproven stem cell interventions and other such practices. A greater government involvement and policy framework would solve these problems to a large extent. Going forward, the progress of technology in science shall not leave medicine unchanged. Stem cell therapy is one of the key attributes that is of pertinence in the forward propulsion
of medicine in the digital age. For this to come through however, input in research and academic involvement is required and once set off, the wheel will not roll back.
CHELIMO BETONY B. PHARM II, MUK.