Stem-cell controversy means little to the sick
Stem-cell controversy means little to the sick
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
For 26-year-old Irawan, the global controversy over stem-cell
cloning means very little as he believes such a procedure could
lead to a cure for the kidney failure he has suffered for more
than three years.
"I've been undergoing dialysis for almost two years, and since
then, my life has been full of nothing but pills and pain.
Sometimes I feel like I'm losing the battle and just want to give
up. I wish I could just die so that all my pain would disappear,"
Irawan said on Tuesday.
It was not until he was told about stem-cell cloning that he
saw a ray of hope.
"I don't exactly know what stem-cell cloning is, but I heard
it can cure life-threatening illnesses like leukemia, diabetes
and kidney failure. If it's true, then I totally support it
(stem-cell cloning)," said the oldest of three siblings.
Still a source of debate in both western and Asian countries,
stem-cell cloning is a procedure in which the cells -- extracted
from the egg after it has divided for five days -- are taken and
having their genetic information at the nucleus reinvigorated, so
that new tissue can be grown with the same genetic code that
matches the patient who needs it.
The growing cells might be used to replace brain cells damaged
by life-threatening diseases. Patients with Alzheimer's or
Parkinson's, or replace the injured spinal cord of a paraplegic
may also benefit from stem-cell cloning.
Those opposing stem-cell cloning, including the United States,
say the procedure is unethical as the extraction process destroys
the embryos, while supporters, including Britain, argue that the
embryos are going to be destroyed anyway.
The controversy has yet to be over. Yet, it shows that
Irawan's support and hope is shared by those who suffer from
life-threatening diseases.
Famous Superman actor, the late Christopher Reeve, supported
stem-cell cloning, as does Mary Tyler Moore sitcom actress, Mary
Tyler Moore.
Reeve broke his neck when he was thrown from his horse nine
years ago. He suffered a spinal cord injury and died recently
after slipping into a coma.
Moore has suffered from diabetes for more than 30 years. Her
illness has caused her to suffer impaired vision.
The Indonesian government had earlier announced that it took
middle ground in responding to the controversy, saying it
strongly rejects stem-cell cloning if the cells cloned are of
living creatures.
The health ministry's head of research and development, Dini
Latief, said the country had not been conducting any research on
stem-cell cloning as it awaits until a uniform decision has been
made by countries around the globe.
"We haven't conducted any research as we're still concerned
that it (stem-cell cloning) is still a controversy. We'll conduct
a research as soon as a uniform decision is made," said Dini.
The world may still be on the debate to decide whether or not
stem-cell should be accepted. But to Irawan and those who suffer
from life-threatening illnesses, there is only one wish that they
hope would come true and that is accepting stem-cell cloning.
"When you've been suffering from kidney failure or other
terrible illnesses that require you to go through fierce feelings
of pain and put you through a lifetime of agony, you'll
understand why I support stem-cell cloning," said Irawan.