Christopher Reeve - his role in the stem cell debate.

Authors Avatar
GILL MOULD

CHRISOPHER REEVE-his role in the stem cell debate

The actor Christopher Reeve who was paralysed in a riding accident in 1995 died of heart failure in hospital in New York on Monday the 11th of October 2004, at the age of 52. Reeve had become famous for his role, as Superman 'it was a role that defined his career', (Barry Norman, 2004.) However, since his accident and his following paralysis he had become well known for his support for stem cell research. In the following I shall be exploring the pro's and cons of stem cell research.

Stem cells have been hailed as 'the most important cell ever discovered'. According to the New Scientist, unlike a red blood cell, which carries oxygen through the blood stream, or a muscle cell that works with other cells to produce movement, a stem cell does not have any specialised properties. This allows it to be turned into any other cell in the body. Stem cells could potentially be used to treat illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Adult stem cells are already being used to treat diseases such as leukaemia. However, picture being able to grow replacement brain, muscle, and bone and organ tissue in the laboratory, which could be implanted into a patient without being rejected. Cardiac muscle that has been destroyed by a heart attack could also be repaired. The same goes for brain tissue damaged by a stroke, and severed spinal cords. Paralysed victims of spinal injuries, such as Reeve, might have been able to walk again. More and more people are suffering from incurable diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in which our nervous systems are degenerating. Stem cells could offer a lifeline for these patients, as they can be turned into replacement neurones to be transplanted into diseased brains. (New Scientist, Jan 2002).
Join now!


The problem many people have with stem cell research is the source from which the cells are extracted. The cells that are taken from early embryos have the greatest potential to develop. Not only did Reeves feel he had a battle with paralysis but also the Bush administration itself. Reeves had believed, that the Bush administration would not take the research further saying they had 'dropped the ball' on stem-cell research. A form of technology, which could one day provide a cure for people with spinal injuries, like Reeve's. (CNN, 2003)

President Bush had allowed only limited ...

This is a preview of the whole essay