Stem Cell Research

Attention Getter:
Video of Michael J Fox

I’m sure everyone knows that is Michael J Fox, best known for his starring roles in the back to the future trilogy and spin city. Unfortunately, over half a million people in the United States including Michael are living with a crippling neurological disease, called Parkinson’s. there are also over 50,000 cases reported annually. The disease continues year to year with no cure and almost no hope for patients diagnosed with the disease.

Preview Statement. Today, I will be telling you about exactly what Parkinson’s disease is, the
symptoms and current treatments of it, as well as advocating for stem cell research as an alternative method to treating neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s.

Transition 1: many people without a family member or friend with the disease is unsure exactly how it affects and destroys a person’s quality of life. Because of this, I would like to first talk about the disease itself.

Body:

I. WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, Parkinson's disease is “a progressive neurological disorder that results from degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement.” Basically, the degeneration creates a shortage of the brain signaling chemical known as dopamine. It has formally been around since a London doctor in 1817 studied what he called a “shaking palsy” disease. Experts say it is possible for the disease to have been around for a few thousand years.

A. Symptoms?
According to the National Parkinson Foundation, Often the first symptom of Parkinson's disease is tremor of a limb, especially when the body is at rest. The tremor often begins only one side of the body, most commonly in one hand. Other, less common symptoms initially include slowed body movement, rigidity, especially in a patients legs, and a bent posture. People with Parkinson's disease often show reduced facial expressions and speak in a soft voice. Unfortunately, the symptoms worsen over time, which causes depression in some, sleep problems and even dementia.
There are many different arguments as to what causes Parkinson’s disease. Although none are proven completely yet, there are some different theories. Of course, the first is that the disease can be inherited through a chromosome 4 gene from family members. The more accepted theory according to a June, 2006 WebMD.com article “the prevailing theory among most doctors held that one or more environmental factors cause the disease. Parkinson's-like symptoms have been described in people who have taken an illegal drug contaminated with the chemical MPTP.“

B. Treatments?
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Many patients are only mildly affected and need no treatment for several years after the initial diagnosis. When symptoms worsen, doctors generally prescribe drugs that replace the dopamine lost in the brain. Surgery, is also an option, albeit a risky one, when symptoms grow severe. Researchers are working to identify substances that can prevent these dopamine brain cells from dying.

Transition 2: As you can see, this is a growing problem in today’s society. Because there really is no decent treatment available for the drug, I will now go into some detail about stem cell research and how it can be used to help millions of sufferers around the nation.

II. What are Stem cells?
According to the international society for stem cell research, stem cells are foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body. Stem cells are "blank" cells that do not yet have a specific function. Additionally, stem cells are self-sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time. All human beings start their lives from a single cell, called the zygote. The zygote divides and forms two cells; each of those cells divides again, and so on. Eventually, the blastocyst is formed. It has two types of cells in it, one being the inner cell mass.
According to the Alliance For Stem Cell Research: Embryonic stem cells are the cells that make up the inner cell mass.
Adult stem cells are found in tissues that have already developed, in animals or humans after birth. The most common place to obtain these cells is from the bone marrow.

A. How can they be used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s
Most of the body's cells cannot be replaced by natural processes if they are seriously damaged or diseased. Stem cells can be used to generate healthy and functioning specialized cells, which can then replace diseased or dysfunctional cells.
For example, in Parkinson's disease, stem cells may be used to form a special kind of nerve cell, a kind that secretes dopamine, reversing the process that has been destroyed by the disease itself. According to a medicalnewstoday.com October 2007 article, one woman who could not stand and dress herself due to symptoms from Parkinson’s received stem cell therapy in China and within 6 months was able to ride a bicycle again.
The most promising use of stem cells is due to their ability to serve as a potential source of replacement cells to treat numerous diseases. Basically, any disease in which there is tissue degeneration can possibly use stem cell therapies. Some other major diseases include Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries, strokes and heart disease.
This provides the hope that one day such cells can produce the cells or tissues to grow entire hearts, liver and even kidneys, thus solving the problem of the shortfall of organ donor

B. How we can make a difference in the lives of Parkinson’s sufferers
Make a gift by mail to:National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.Office of Development1501 NW 9th Avenue/Bob Hope RoadBob Hope RoadMiami, Florida 33136-1494
Make a gift by phone:1-800-327-4545 (toll-free in the U.S.)
To reach us by e-mail:contact@parkinson.org
Conclusion: As the website banner for the National Parkinson Foundation says, “knowledge is power.” Today I have discussed what Parkinson’s disease is, its current treatments and the advantages to supporting stem cell research for it. I hope this has intrigued everyone to become more concerned with stem cell research and will hopefully have the public change from a “it’s not my problem” issue, to an “I can make a difference” issue. Thanks

Bibliography:

"About Parkinson's ." National Parkinson Foundation. 2007. National Parkinson Foundation. 3 Nov 2007 http://www.parkinson.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=225&srcid=201.

"Parkinson's Disease." About Stem Cell Research. 2006. Alliance For Stem Cell Research. 4 Nov 2007 http://www.curesforcalifornia.com/page.php?id=108.

"NINDS Parkinson's Disease Information Page." Disorders. 19 October 2007. National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. 5 Nov 2007
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

"American And European Parkinson's Sufferers Find Chinese Stem Cell Treatment Effective, Proving Western Debates Moot." Parkinson Disease and News. 09 October 2007. Medical News Today. 6 Nov 2007 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/84908.php.

"Frequently Asked Questions." What Are Stem Cells?. 17 September 2004. International Society for Stem Cell Research. 6 Nov 2007 http://www.isscr.org/science/faq.htm.

"Stem Cell Basics." 06 October 2007. National Institute of Health. 5 Nov 2007 http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics2.asp.