Stem Cell Harvesting Awareness Essay Example for Free

Stem Cell Harvesting Awareness Essay A structured questionnaire was administrated to 360 youths and young adults across Malaysia. The questionnaires were given to the Malaysian youths from different age groups, gender and religion. Evaluation from a number of literatures is used and conclusions are drawn based on qualitative analysis of the secondary research data. Findings – The results of this research proves that the gender, race and family income has no direct relationship on stem cell harvesting awareness. It is surprisingly not a new term to the respondents. They are hardly gain deeper information regarding stem cell harvesting and its issue from newspaper as well as television. Although the respondents think that stem cell research is ethical, they are hardly to support scientists to harvest stem cell, however, they learnt the importance of storing stem cell and willing to pay for cryopreservation service for stem cell banking. Practical implications – The results of the study lend support to the future of medical science in developing stem cells harvesting technology in Malaysia. Young couples going to form a household who age between 22-35 years old are the potential influence to the society to increase the awareness of this advance technology. Keywords – Stem cell, Social Cognitive Theory, and Media Dependency Theory Paper type – Research paper About the author: Lim Yoke Theng is currently in her final year pursuing her Bachelor in Mass Communication (Hons) with INTI International University, Malaysia. The author can be reach by email ([emailprotected] com) Research on Stem cell awareness among Malaysians . 1 Introduction Stem cell research is relatively new in Malaysia (Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2008). Stem cells are cells capable of developing into other types of cells and tissues. According to former research, stem cell have been viewed and can be harvested within the context of the embryo because it is within these early stages that we see the dramatic transitions of stem cells forming a range of tissues and organ systems. Later on, it can be found in adult physical body and called as adult stem cell. It now seems that probably all tissues contain adult stem cells, however, in insignificant numbers. Scientists reflect that the cells remain dormant until activated by disease or injury to that tissue. Stem cell research can potentially assist in treating a range of medical problems (Experiment Resources, 2008). It could lead humanity closer to better treatment and possibly cure a number of diseases: * Parkinson’s Disease * Alzheimer’s Disease * Heart Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes (Type 1) * Birth Defects * Spinal Cord Injuries Replace or Repair Damaged Organs * Reduced Risk of Transplantation (You could possibly get a copy of your own heart in a heart-transplantation in the future) * Stem cells may play a major role in cancer Besides, this research may also be able to explain how stem cells can be harvested and where can we found the stem cells on human body, the method and means of harvesting. To make the picture clearer to the public, functions of stem cells need to be strengthened and emphasized in medical field instead of stem cell harvesting and storage service. If stem cell is indeed the appealing alternative to those patients who struggle to live or to die, it may increase the level of awareness among Malaysia society and affect the achievement of Malaysia Medical Science Field. Patients who suffer from Alzheimers, stem cell transplantation is an option for them to recover from that disease, it has no cure but a drug called ARICEPT has been used by millions of people to help their symptoms (New York Methodist Hospital, 2010).