One can but marvel at the pace at which mankind progresses in all fields of endeavor. The field of medicine is no exception. New cures are now available for previously debilitating and deadly conditions. New drugs allow people to live more comfortable lives and people in developed countries live longer thanks to new treatment methods. Stem cell research facilities think that they are on the verge of the biggest medical breakthroughs in the history of mankind.
The concept behind bone marrow transplants is no a recent one. These transplants have been done on patients suffering from leukemia and other blood related cancers for some years. The theory is that the transplant will encourage new blood cells to grow in order to replace the ones destroyed by chemo therapy. The procedure is risky, however, and only used as a last resort as the success rate is rather low.
Bone marrow transplants are by no means a cure for cancer. At best it can add some years to the lives of patients. Scientists are positive, however, that in time transplants will indeed become a cure for many different types of cancer. Progress is slow because scientists have to move forward with the utmost care. Transplants as a cancer cure is therefore still some years in the future.
It is not only cancer that scientists hope to cure with bone marrow transplants. Many studies focus on the brain. It is believed that it would eventually be possible to use bone marrow transplants to grow new brain cells. This will make it possible to reverse the effects of brain injuries, strokes and dread conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer. Studies in this area are still in their infancy, however.
Finding a cure for many heart conditions is another field of study into the possible uses of bone marrow transplants. Again, the hope is that it would become possible to stimulate the growth of healthy cells inside the heart in order to replace damaged ones. In effect, the heart defects will be repaired from within. Millions of people die from heart disease and progress in this area will definitely save numerous lives.
Efforts in this field have many enemies. Critics, many of them highly regarded scientists themselves, are of the opinion that bone marrow transplants are extremely dangerous and that there are absolutely no proof that they benefit the patient in any way. There is also a very big ethical issue involve, critics say. This is because the cells that are transplanted are often harvested from the umbilical cords of unborn babies.
Researchers are misleading the public, their funders and the authorities, critics also say. If there are any benefits to be had from bone marrow transplants, they are still many years in the future. Researchers are creating false expectations. Vast sums are spent on research that has not produced a single positive result. This money could have been used in other more likely fields of study.
It is impossible to say whether bone marrow transplants will become a miracle cure or not. There is simply not enough information to form a valid opinion. One cannot but help to hope, however, that a cure for many dread diseases will indeed be found.
The concept behind bone marrow transplants is no a recent one. These transplants have been done on patients suffering from leukemia and other blood related cancers for some years. The theory is that the transplant will encourage new blood cells to grow in order to replace the ones destroyed by chemo therapy. The procedure is risky, however, and only used as a last resort as the success rate is rather low.
Bone marrow transplants are by no means a cure for cancer. At best it can add some years to the lives of patients. Scientists are positive, however, that in time transplants will indeed become a cure for many different types of cancer. Progress is slow because scientists have to move forward with the utmost care. Transplants as a cancer cure is therefore still some years in the future.
It is not only cancer that scientists hope to cure with bone marrow transplants. Many studies focus on the brain. It is believed that it would eventually be possible to use bone marrow transplants to grow new brain cells. This will make it possible to reverse the effects of brain injuries, strokes and dread conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer. Studies in this area are still in their infancy, however.
Finding a cure for many heart conditions is another field of study into the possible uses of bone marrow transplants. Again, the hope is that it would become possible to stimulate the growth of healthy cells inside the heart in order to replace damaged ones. In effect, the heart defects will be repaired from within. Millions of people die from heart disease and progress in this area will definitely save numerous lives.
Efforts in this field have many enemies. Critics, many of them highly regarded scientists themselves, are of the opinion that bone marrow transplants are extremely dangerous and that there are absolutely no proof that they benefit the patient in any way. There is also a very big ethical issue involve, critics say. This is because the cells that are transplanted are often harvested from the umbilical cords of unborn babies.
Researchers are misleading the public, their funders and the authorities, critics also say. If there are any benefits to be had from bone marrow transplants, they are still many years in the future. Researchers are creating false expectations. Vast sums are spent on research that has not produced a single positive result. This money could have been used in other more likely fields of study.
It is impossible to say whether bone marrow transplants will become a miracle cure or not. There is simply not enough information to form a valid opinion. One cannot but help to hope, however, that a cure for many dread diseases will indeed be found.
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