Medical Practice-Ethical Issues: Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes

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Treating Diabetes with Stem Cells: Medical Practice and Ethical Issues
Topic description
As a disease, Diabetes Mellitus affects almost 20 million people in the United States alone(almost 10% of the country's population), and closer to 200 million worldwide. Even with its already staggering prevalence, cases are still projected to double in the next ten years. Mastroieni (n.d.) employs recent research reports that point to experiments with mice. Specifically, to inform preliminary research-based support and to raise thoughts and awareness for the potential of undifferentiated stem cells to become insulin forming cells to treat and reduce diabetes symptoms in humans as well. That said however, the author is open and thorough to avoid negating the fact that while this is promising, there are ethical and other issues to consider (Mastroieni, n.d.). For example: Such stem cells can only produce optimum results in its purest form-in the early stages of embryonic stem cells formation. The dilemma arises because the process of manufacturing stem cells of such caliber means destruction of embryos (Mastroieni, n.d.). The moral and ethical questions include but are not limited to: Although the potential could be great, what if any is the moral status of human embryos in this destruction? And what is the best path of acquiring such stems cells for treating diabetes that that is scientific, moral and ethical?(Mastroieni, 2012).
How the issue impacts the healthcare industry
Although diabetes can be controlled by frequent monitoring of glucose levels, medication in the case of type II diabetes, and insulin injections for type I diabetes, not correctly monitoring the disease often ends in a series of very chronic complications including but not limited to: Heart and kidney damage, blindness and loss of extremities (Mastroieni, n.d.). One of the more promising treatments has been the employing of pancreatic islet cell transplantation for treating Type 1 diseases (Mastroieni, n.d.). However, the procedure is limited by the availability and number of donated organs (pancreas) for transplantation. As such, Mastreoni (n.d.).posits that researchers could facilitate or induce stem cells to differentiate into islets cells to be used for a renewable source of transplantation for treatment purposes in the lab (Mastroieni, n.d.). After cultivation, the stem cells would then be inserted back into patients to replace diseased and damaged tissue from diabetes. Even with this knowledge, and the potential benefits, since the procedure and related research are still in the infantile stages and is yet to reach the clinical level, there are special and concerning implications relating to safety, ethical and efficacy of such therapies to not just health care professionals and health care organizations, but to the society at large (Mastroieni, n.d.).
Impact of the selected issue on patients and families
The use of embryonic stem cells has always posed ethical debates and concerns within the health care industry and ...