The ongoing research of stem cell biology has introduced possibilities of cellular replacement strategies, which if successful, could create effective treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and Diabetes (type 1), as well as repairs to severe spinal chord injuries that were previously untreatable. The medical value of these stem cells is their potential to give rise to any of the tissues contained in the human body. There are currently two sources of stem cells used for research, adult or mature stem cells, and embryonic stem cells; however there is much debate over the use of embryonic stem cells in that some believe it to be a moral equivalent to the killing of one person to benefit another. As will be discussed further, in the case of Parkinson's Disease through a variety of different methods it is the hope of researchers that the necessary stem cells will become fully functional dopamine neurons. Where Diabetes is concerned it's the hope that the stem cells will develop into the insulin producing islet cells of the pancreas therefore allowing for the control of the glucose level in the blood. For spinal chord injuries it is the intention of the stem cells to develop into the neurons that carry messages between the brain and the remainder of the body in hopes of overcoming paralysis. Even though stem cell research is still very much in infancy it's important to build upon past discoveries in hopes of finding relief for those plagued by these seemingly unnecessary conditions. .
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that usually occurs in people over the age of 50 years old; however there are many cases in which it occurs prior to this age. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease results from the death of neurons in the brain, these neurons connect a structure in the brain called the substantia nigra to another structure called the striatum. These nigro-striatal neurons release the chemical transmitter dopamine onto their target neurons in the striatum.
