What can one day cure diseases such as cancer? Stem cells. Stem cells are the future in medical technology. In this paper I will discuss what stem cells are, the history behind stem cell research, how stem cells might help treat diseases, and what diseases stem cells could potentially treat. I will also discuss the positives of stem cell research, the negatives of stem cell research, and what the hope for stem cell research is. First of all, what are stem cells? Stem cells are immature cells that can become specialized into different types of cells, such as a muscle cell or a red blood cell. There are two types of stem cells, adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. An adult stem cell is a stem cell that is found in already developed tissue …show more content…
Stem cells can help cure diseases, repair damaged organs, and replace the need for organ donors. Stem cells may play a major role in cancer research, treatment, and maybe even a cure. Using stem cells in better treatments for diseases can give economic gains for society. According to the Mayo Clinic, over 100 million suffer from diseases that eventually may be treated more effectively or even cured with embryonic stem cell research (“Stem Cell Transplant”). This may be the greatest opportunity to alleviate the suffering of humans. Stem cell research has a lot of potential; there is a long list of diseases and other conditions that stem cells may be able to treat and possibly one day …show more content…
If stem cells can cure a bunch of diseases, then it can help the entire human race. Cures are far in the future though, but stem cells will be able to treat diseases before there is a cure. All in all, I discussed that there are two types of stem cells, the history behind stem cell research, how stem cells can help treat diseases, what diseases stem cells can potentially treat, the pros and cons of stem cell research, and the hopes for the future in stem cell research. Works Cited "Basics of Stem Cell Research." Basis of Stem Cell Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Boston Children 's Hospital." Boston Childrens Hospital. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014. Scott, Christopher Thomas. Stem Cell Now: From the Experiment That Shook the World to the New Politics of Life. New York: Pi, 2006. Print. "Stem Cell Basics." What Are the Unique Properties of All Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. "Stem Cell Transplant." Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. "What Are Stem Cells?" University of Nebraska Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec.
Stem cells are the building blocks of the human body. Embryos consist of unspecialized stem cells that transform into the various specialized cells in the body such as cardiac, muscle or bone cells. Fetuses also have stem cells. However, the stem cells are divided into types like muscle, bone or nerves and don't perform a specialized function. Surprisingly, adult bodies also contain stem cells. In adults, stem cells are undifferentiated but limited to specific tissue type. When needed, the stem cells transform into the cells needed for repair and maintenance. The most common source of adult stem cells is bone marrow. Researchers also acquire stem cells from umbilical cords. Without stem cells, embryos could not develop into fetuses and adult
8. "Stem Cell Basics." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2009. Web. .
Stem cell research must be performed in order for scientists to develop a method full capable of repairing cells. The benefits of stem cell research greatly outweigh the controversies. In the long term, increased ability to cure diseases would decrease the cost of healthcare globally. In the short term, a lot of money is needed to obtain the knowledge required to save lives. In the long run, stem cell research is worth the money spent. This is only achievable if stem cell stu
National Institutes for Health. (2009). Stem cell basics: What are the potential uses of human stem cells and the obstacles that must be overcome before these potential uses will be realized?. Stem Cell Information,1. Retrieved from http://stemcells.nih.gov/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – National Institutes of Health (2009) Stem Cell Basics [ONLINE] Available http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics6.aspx (Accessed 30 March 2014)
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"Stem Cell Transplant." Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014.
Stem Cell Basics. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site] Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited Friday, November 08, 2013] Available at stemcells.nih.gov
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Stem Cells in medicine date back to the early 19th century. Many physicians have conducted studies on stem cells and the use of stem cells in treating diseases. From the start of its discovery until today, stem cell research has progressed a lot. In fact, the use of stem cells to treat patients has already begun in hospitals like The Boston Children’s Hospital. You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about. In this article, I’ll help you understand: what are stem cells? Why are they important? What kinds of diseases can they treat? And Finally, I’ll reference you to a few websites that can help you better understand stem cells.
Research on stem cells is advancing knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. This promising area of science is also leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is often referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine. There is genuine scientific excitement over the concept of using the body's own cellular building blocks to regenerate damaged or ageing organs. Stem cells are one of the most fascinating areas of biology today. But like ...
...nowles, Lori P. “What Are Stem Cells and Where Do They Come From?” Stem Cell Network.2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011 < http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/uploads/File/whitepapers/What-are-Stem-Cells-and-Where-do-They-Come-from.pdf>
Experiment Resources. (2008). Stem cell research: Pros and cons. Retrieved on August 29, 2011, from http://www.experiment-resources.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons.html#ixzz1WSjumU9E
Using an undifferentiated cell and specializing it to repair tissues, cure terminal diseases and disorders in the body is known as Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Research has the potential to turn the medical field around in many ways; these cells have the potential to save people who suffer from terminal illnesses. Forms of stem cell research began in the 1950’s. Since then, many forms of Stem Cell research began to emerge. Stem Cell Research isn’t limited to any certain area; people around the world are researching Stem Cells, hoping that they can be used for the greater good of the people. With financial help, scientists are able to do more research than ever before, resulting in more discoveries to help maintain the human
"What Are Stem Cells?" University of Nebraska Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2014.