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Despite the negative controversies, stem cell research can be the key to future success
Stem cells in the medical field
Stem cell research
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Imagine a world where the diseases we know today are virtually eradicated, and where incurable injuries are a thing of the past. Even though this sounds like a science fiction movie, advances in modern science are making this statement more of a reality than a dream. This can be accomplished through stem cell therapy and cell differentiation. Stem cell therapy is like an intervention, in which new cells are introduced into the body or tissue in order to treat a disease or injury (Haldeman-Englet, Chad). Cell differentiation is the process in which a cell has the potential to become physically/fundamentally and functionally different from one another Also meaning they are pluripotent (Smith, S.E). These special cells have many uses, thus the nickname “The Golden Cell.” Scientists have been fascinated by stem cells for many years now, and why? What is so special about them? One: Their specific role in the body has yet to be determined. Two: Stem Cells can become almost any cell type. Three: Stem cells have the ability to proliferate almost indefinitely. Stem cells are now the centerpieces of regenerative medicine. This involves growing new cells, tissues, and organs to repair or replace those damaged by injury or disease (Knowles, Lori P.). All organisms started out as undifferentiated cells, which would then become one of the approximated 220 specialized cells. The key to making stem cells more viable for humans is by using donated eggs, which have had their own genetic material removed so that specific cells from diseased patients could be transplanted into the ovum. These eggs will then grow to an early stage where the cells are then removed. There would be no DNA match found to that of the donor. This process is called “Pati... ... middle of paper ... ...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> (nih.gov) “Stem Cell Basics” Stem Cell Information.2010. Retrieved 29 April 2011 Saenz, Aaron. “Stem cells used to grow hearts...” Singularity Hub. 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2011 Smith, S.E. “What is cell Differentiation?” Wise Geek. 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011 (transdifferentiation.com) “Theory of Transdifferentiation”2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011
Could you imagine being able to create new organs, tissues, muscles, and even food? With embryonic stem cell technology, believe it or not, these things are possible. Stem cells are the body's raw materials. Specifically, they are cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or in a laboratory, stem cells can divide to form more cells called daughter cells. These daughter cells either become new stem cells or turn into specialized cells with a more specific function, such as blood cells, brain cells, muscle cells or bone cells. The possibilities are almost endless. The debate and main issue with this technology is that the actual stem cells come from embryos. Embryos are an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. Although there is controversy surrounding these cells, embryonic stem cells should continue to be researched and used, because they have so much potential.
“Stem Cell Research: Guide to Critical Analysis.” Points Of View: Stem Cell Research [serial online]. January 2013;:4. Available from: Points of View Reference Center, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 26, 2013.
8. "Stem Cell Basics." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2009. Web. .
Currently, the limitations on research are too restricting, as researchers are limited to resources already gathered. There are sixty existing stem cell lines today, already derived from embryos. Researchers are to only use these lines. These limitations severely hinder stem cell research. The government, especially President Bush, should re-evaluate stem cell research.
Stem cell research began in 1956 when Dr. E Donnall Thomas performed the first bone marrow transplant (“Adult stem cells are not more promising,” 2007). Since that time, research has evolved into obtaining cells from a variety of tissues. According to stem cell research professors, Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee (2005), “Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that are capable of becoming cells, each with new specialized functions” (p. 2). Stem cells are in various adult tissues, such as bone marrow, the liver, the epidermis layer of skin, the central nervous system, and eyes. They are also in other sources, such as fetuses, umbilical cords, placentas, embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are cells from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency. Most stem cells offer multipotent cells, which are sparse...
This report does a fairly comprehensive job on educating the public to the definition of stem cells, describing them as “a diverse group of remarkable multipotent cells that are relatively undifferentiated and unspecialized cells of the body.” Stem cells have the capacity for unlimited self-renewal and the possibility to produce differentiated descendant cell types. The main in...
Scott, Christopher Thomas. Stem Cell Now: From the Experiment That Shook the World to the
Moisse, Katie. “Stem Cells: New Hope for Heart Failure Patients”. Abcnews.com. 14 Nov 2011. Web. 15 Nov 2011.
“Stem Cells: The Future of Medicine.” Medschool.umaryland.edu. University of Maryland School of Medicine Web 14 Nov 2013
...oll(2010), around 33% of U.S. voters believe that taxpayers’ money should be spent on embryonic stem cell research and more than 50% of the voters disagree that taxpayers’ money should go the research(Roe, 2010). Hence, it is believed that government should not fund the stem cell research.
As stated on the Neostem website, “Stem cells have remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.” They are used for cell therapeutics and the advantages are many. They offer a source of renewable cells to replace the damaged or dead cells that can be cause disabilitating ...
...ogist regrows monkey hearts with human stem cells”. Guardian News and Media, 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 7 May 2014. The Guardian.
Lanza, Tyler. "The Stem Cell Research Controversy." Stem Cell History. N.p., January 5, 2011. Web. 16 Feb 2012.
Wertheim questions “One, what cells do we use? Two, how many cells do we use? And three, should they be mature cells, embryonic stem cells, iPS [induced pluripotent stem] cells? What is the optimum cell source?” as there are so many different things to take into consideration when placing cells into a heart.
Researchers in this field are seek to know how stem cells can be used to develop into specialized cells or tissue, which aims restore lost function in damaged organs or even grow new fully functioning organs for transplant.