Stem Cell Research: The Benefits of Stem Cells

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In Brazil 2009, there was an 18 year old boy that had half of his jaw and teeth removed because of a tumor. Scientists took some of his bone marrow and extracted the adult stem cells from it and formed an osteoblast, which is a bone forming cell. Six months after the osteoblast was injected, it started forming new bone material which filled the gaps (NIH Stem Cells). Stem cells could be a genius way to treat many diseases and disorders and it should be supported by everyone. Stem cells get their name from the fact that they are basic cells that other cells develop from. They are capable of developing into a wide range of cells. Stem cells could potentially be used to grow new cells to replace the cells that were destroyed or damaged by age or disease, or the side effects of treating diseases. Once they change, they cannot be changed back. Stem cells can divide to create more cells before they start to change (Freedman 6). There are two types of stem cells: adult and embryonic. Adult stem cells are produced in bone marrow in the arm and leg bones. They are more mature than embryonic stem cells, so they can’t change into as many types of cells (Freedman 8). Embryonic stem cells can be taken from leftover embryos at fertility clinics or from embryos from terminated pregnancies (Freedman 10). Scientists take the stem cells from early embryos and use them to create cells found in 200 different types of tissues (Freedman 8). There are also umbilical cord stem cells that can be obtained from the blood that comes out of umbilical cords (Freedman 9). They are less mature than adult stem cells but more mature than embryonic stem cells (Freedman 10). There is a lot of research being done about stem cells today. Scientists try to f... ... middle of paper ... ...acilities but do not agree with making embryos in vitro. Southern Baptists strongly oppose the use of embryonic tissue from aborted embryos (StemCells Inc.) All types of stem cell research should be supported and funded. There are so many ways we can potentially use them. In the last 20 years, more than 20,000 patients have received umbilical cord blood transplants, treating mostly leukemia and blood disorders in children (NIH Stem Cells). Although, there is a lot of research left to do to use stem cells to their full extent, the amount our scientists can do with them is amazing. Works Cited Freedman, Jeri. American Debates Stem Cell Research. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc, 2008. Print. "Frequently Asked Questions." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. N.p., 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. "Stem Cells 101." StemCells, Inc. N.p., 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.

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