Stem Celll for Back Surgery

On Monday, President Obama decided to expand embryonic stem cell research. FINALLY! It has long overdue since the past eight years. Thank you former President Bush.

For those that are not familiar with stem cell research, allow me to explain the process and its benefits. Stem cells are found in most multi-cellular organism and have the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division. Doctors believe that stem cells have the potential to change the treatment to human disease for the better. In fact, many doctors and scientists believe that stem cells can help with Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, cancer, leukemia, muscle damage, multiple sclerosis, and spinal diseases and disorders.

Embryonic cells, on the other hand, are derived from embryos, and are not taken from embryos already developed in a woman's body. If these were redirected in a specific way, scientists could use them to treat diseases more effectively than regular stem cells. Hopefully with the lifting of the ban, things will change.

This means that hopefully in a few more years doctors may find a way to successfully treat herniated discs. I have been suffering from a herniated disc for about three years now and the pain is debilitating. What bothers me the most is the opposition stem cell research faced from religious conservatives. Do they know how much pain I have been experiencing? How such constant pain can change a man? If only people knew than they might understand. Similar to how in 24 the Senator does not understand why Jack Bauer sees torture as a means to a greater end.



An article released before Obama took office states that stem cells are already being used and implanted on discs. Here is the link. Here is what article has to say:

"Doctor Kleiner said a disc loses its ability to be a shock absorber after surgery because it no longer produces a spongy substance that can hold water.

"The stem cells should take on the properties of the cells within the disc and ultimately improve the hydration of the disc - and prevent the progression of degeneration," Kleiner said."

I cannot wait to give it a couple of more years to see what advancements they are going to produce. I hope science can save my back because so far nothing has.