Stem Cells
Stem Cells
Stem Cells
Stem Cells
Stem cells are a class of cells that are undifferentiated meaning they have not turned into a specific cell therefore they are able to differentiate into specialised cell types. There are two main sources of stem cells: From Embryos formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development (embryonic stem cells). From Adult tissue (adult stem cells) also known as somatic stem cells.
The embryos that are used are usually extras from an IVF clinic, this is where several eggs are fertilized in a test tube, but only one is implanted into a woman and the excess are used for their stem cells. The blastocyst phase, in humans begins approximately five days after fertilisation. The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass and an outer cell mass; the outer cell mass will become part of the placenta, and the inner cell mass is a group of cells that will change and become all the structures of an adult organism. The Embryonic stem cells come from the inner cell mass. When the inner cell mass is removed from the blastocyst it is placed into a culture dish containing a nutrient rich broth. Lacking the stimulation required to differentiate, the stem cells begin to divide and replicate while maintaining their ability to become any cell type in the human body. These undifferentiated cells can then be stimulated to create specialised cells. The adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body and can be found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin and the liver. These stem cells remain in a dormant or non-dividing state until activated by a tissue injury or disease. Once stem cells have divided and propagate in a controlled culture, the collection of healthy, dividing and healthy undifferentiated cells are called a stem cell line. The stem cells are then categorised by their potential to differentiate into other types of cells. Embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to differentiate since they must become every type of cell in the human body.
many conditions such as heart diseases and leukaemia although researchers still have a long way to go before they completely control the regulation of stem cells. In the future stem cells may be able to generate new tissue and organs which could replace patients with destroyed tissue from injuries or diseases, they could even cure diseases for which there is currently no adequate therapy. Conditions that could see revolutionary advances from stem cell treatment and research would include Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, cancer and many more. I believe that both embryotic and somatic stem cells should be used for research and treatment as I believe it can and will eventually save millions of people from many genetic and inherited diseases. I believe that the potential to save millions of lives outweigh the ethical issues.