In the majority of spinal chord injuries the spinal chord is not actually cut and some of the signal carrying neuronal axons are still intact. However, the axons no longer carry messages to the brain because cells called oligodendrocytes (cells that make the axons’ insulating myelin sheath) are lost. Researchers have shown that through the injection of oligodendrocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells the axons could remyelinate, and as a result the treated mice regained limited use of their limbs. (Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future Research Directions, 2001, p. 84)

Over the last 10 years scientists have been experimenting with transplanting neuronal cells from a donor to the Parkinson’s infected patient, however this method has had limited success in that obtaining the significant number of cells needed for implantation is extremely difficult and often unlikely. (Chemistry & Industry, No. 5, p. 133) What researchers are hoping to find in stem cells is a renewable source that can operate as dopamine neurons. As of now, laboratory grown cells derived from a stem cell is the best potential source. One way to get these cells to the point of dopamine production is to find the right combination of growth factors and cell-culture conditions where they are actually committed to be dopamine neurons and then injecting them directly into the brain. Another method is to place less committed cells into a damaged brain and rely on “environmental” signals to guide the cell into becoming a dopamine neuron. (Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future Research Directions, 2001, p.83) Present research has shown that both human fetal cells and embryonic stem cells can become fully functional dopamine neurons; however whether adult stem cells will have a similar effect is presently unknown.

Stem cell research holds the potential of curing previously incurable diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, and Diabetes (type 1), and gives hope to sufferers of spinal chord injuries that they will one day regain feeling in some, if not all, parts of their body. Through the simple manipulation and implantation of cells doctors and researchers are on the way to gaining the ability to repair whatever malfunction of whatever bodily processes, or lack there of, are taking place and causing these horrible diseases and disabilities. Engrained within this research are several moral and ethical debates pertaining to the use of embryonic stem cells, as well as several unknowns as to the possible side effects of the treatments which are causing many to disregard this research as incomplete, and therefore irrelevant. Although stem cell research is still very much in its infancy, and any practical applications to human subjects are years away, the research on this subject must continue. Stem cell research could prove to be the key to eliminating physical disabilities and many diseases that were previously incurable; therefore it is imperative that doctors and researchers not shrink from doing what will advance knowledge in this area, and eventually add to our quality of life for now, and for centuries to come.

Researchers of Parkinson’s disease are also searching for way to ignite the stem cell repair mechanisms already in a patient’s brain to fix the problems the mechanisms couldn’t otherwise manage. In a study conducted by James Fallon and colleagues it was discovered that by injecting a protein called transforming growth factor (TGFa) it will trigger the brain’s repair process, which is othe

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