I found interesting the postings about Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzeimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, etc.

The current theory on how these diseases arise is that there are external as well as genetic factors that can lead to the death of neurons in the brain. As the neurons die, they are slowly replaced by fibrous tissues made mostly of collagen fibers. This "plaque" interferes with transmission of signals between neurons and this causes the slow deterioration of essential functions of the nervous system. Hence people observe changes in behaviour, loss of memory, loss of motor control and all the other symptoms associated with these diseases.

Stem cells have been used successfully in animals to "regenetrate" lost neurons in the brain. Embrionic stem cells have been introduced in the brains of animals and those stem cells have become new neurons in response to chemical signalling from adjacent neurons.

Scientists have tried to do stem cell research in humans to try to regenerate neurons as well as other essential cells in the body. However, the research remains controversial since the stem cells have come from human embrios. The question is: Is such research acceptable? I am always curious to hear opinions on it. It is a topic that is difficult because for many people an embrio is a potential human being, thus they see embrionic stem cell research as taking the life of one human being to save another.

I am one who fully believes in stem cell research and its potential to heal many people and ease the suffering of millions. I have friends who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, and they could be helped. A friend of mine has the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. This likely arose from genetic factors and her gradual deterioration will happen as she grows older over the next few years. Another friend is a woman who developed symptoms of Parkinson's disease as a result of having been married to an abusive husband during her youth. Her ex-husband used to beat her until she was unconcious, and her doctor believes that those beatings gradually damaged her brain until now that she is older she has developed this disease.

If embrionic stem cells could help patients like these, is their research justified?