Like many others across this country, I was filled with excitement and hope as I watched President Barack Obama sign the executive order to reverse restrictions on stem cell research last week.

First and foremost, what a stem cell is needs to be clarified. For most Americans, one thinks only of the embryonic stem cells, but adult stem cells do exist and are an integral part of this medical research as well. The difference between the two is that embryonic stem cells have the potential to become anything in the body, while adult stem cells already have a predestination to become a specific cell, tissue or organ. There are pros and cons with both and really which type of cell to use for a potential treatment in the future will depend on the patient and condition. 

The hope is that adult stem cells would be able to help patients who have damage to an area and can use their own cells that are working properly to replace the damaged cells. This would reduce the risk of rejection by one’s immune system. For this instance, those suffering from spinal cord injuries could benefit greatly and potentially regain their ability to walk again.

For other conditions such as type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, embryonic stem cells would be more beneficial since scientists could engineer new functioning cells to replace the nonfunctioning cells in the body – this is the fundamental benefit to using embryonic stem cells in research alongside adult stem cell research, the ability to grow new tissue and cells to replace damaged areas in the body where adult stem cells would be of no help.  

Another potential benefit through this research would be easing the strain on our nation’s organ donor network. Most of us only think about organ donation when we decided whether or not to be an organ donor at the DMV when we filled out information for our driver’s license. Unfortunately, there are simply not enough organ donors in the United States to meet demands. Stem cell research could help lower the demand, by fixing the damaged organ with stem cell therapy as opposed to needing a donation. This would free up donations to critically ill patients. For me, this potential is personal since my mother suffers from multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin in the nervous system.

For years, I have read about countries such as Japan pushing forward with stem cell research, but not under the best regulations. It was scary to think that one day a potential cure for her MS could come from a country with lax federal regulations, but I’m excited to finally see my country making progress. I hope one day she’ll never use her cane to walk, rely on post it notes for memory or not be able to sit on the beach because it interacts with her medication.

Over these next years, I hope you can share in the excitement with research breakthroughs and therapies because of the hard work of scientists with federal support. Until that day comes, all of those knowing someone with a disease or condition that could be cured by stem cell therapy will have to keep wearing our awareness ribbons and attending our fundraiser walks to support those that we love.