Stem Cell Research : Stem Cells

First of all an understanding of what a stem cell is, where it comes from, and the significance of it's medical potential is essential. Stem cells are the "master cells" that form the human body or whatever other animal it is from. Stem cells can be extracted from adult tissues, bone marrow, umbilical cord blood ( ), and embryos in the blastocyst stage. Although scientists have found ways to manipulate the stem cells from adult sources into other types of cells, they claim that they are less capable of deriving the desired tissue and are not "biologically equivalent" ( ) to stem cells extracted from embryos.

Once the stem cells are delivered near the damaged areas of the heart, the regeneration of cardiac (heart) cells is possible. There is a lack of understanding on how or why specifically the stem cells turn into heart cells. “Recent studies indicated that the benefits associated with adult stem cell injection might come from paracrine effects, the effect of a nearby cell sending chemical and electrical signals to the stem cell, and not from myocardial differentiation” [6]. Experiments show that bone marrow stem cells “produce and secrete a broad variety of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, [all of which] promote cardiac repair [7]. These paracrine factors “influence adjacent cells and exert their actions” on the damaged cardiac cells [7]. It might be that the stem cells do not even differentiate into cardiac cells, but instead promote repair through exchanges of signals. “Recent work suggests that coupling of myocytes to adjacent cells, tissues, and extra cellular matrix results in external cues that shape ventricular myocytes architecture” [8]. Basically, the surrounding heart cells connect with the stem cells to essentially form the shape of the original area of the heart. The cells “wrap around the ventricular cavities in the developed heart” [8]. The many therapies discussed in the previous section “assume that transplanted cells will support…ability for differentiation and functional integration into the host

Stem cells are cells that are not specialized, and can become many different kinds of human tissue. There are two types of stem cells: Adult stem cells, which cannot form all tissues of the body, are found in

Stem cells are cells which can essentially form into any type of cell that can be found in the body. There are various types of stem cells. These include embryonic, adult, genetically reprogrammed adult stem cells, and perinatal stem cells. The most versatile, as well as controversial, type of stem cells are embryonic stem cells. These cells are found in 3-5 day old embryos which are formed through in vitro fertilization ("Stem Cell Basics" 1). While scientists have been able to reprogram adult stem cells to act as if they were embryonic, there is yet to be any conclusive evidence as to how the use of the altered cells will affect humans ("Stem cells: What they are and what they do" 1). The use of stem cells is largely focused on regenerative medicine which takes advantage of the stem cells versatility to create and replace damaged tissues in

Firstly, what even are stem cells? Stem cells are cells that can turn into many different types of cells throughout your bedy. Think of it like a mother cell creating endless amounts of children. There are two kinds; pluripotent, ones that can turn into basically every cell in the body, and multipotent, ones that can only for a small number of cells.

Stem cells are cells with the potential to become any type of cell in the body. There are two different types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are very valuable and are used mainly to treat blood diseases, but sometimes adult stem cells from the brain are used to treat neurological diseases. Adult stem cells can also be difficult to recognize in the adult body. Embryonic stem cells are more flexible than adult stem cells and can be used for a bigger variety of diseases (California’s Stem Cell Agency,2011). Some people do not believe in the use of embryonic stem cells, because they believe they are killing future life. Despite the controversy over how stem cells are gathered, stem cells have undeniable

Many controversial and moral stricken issues have been put into question in today's modern society. Some of which include gay marriage, and abortion. Yet one of the most controversial has to be stem cell research. A Stem Cell is a "generic" cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely. It also has the ability to make specialized cells for various tissues in the body such as the heart muscle, brain and liver. But why exactly is stem cell research so controversial? Well mostly those who oppose embryonic stem cell research do so on the grounds that the cells die in the process. But what those people might not know is that an embryo is no bigger than a pinhead. And therefore there is no human suffering. Stem cell

There are a few different kinds of stem cells. These different type of stem cells depends on where it came from. As of now, there are only a couple sources for stem cell’s. The first kind of stem cells are adult stem cell. These adult stem cells can be obtained from specialized tissue in both children and adults. Since these cells are older, they are further along in the differentiation process, meaning they can only change into a few types of cells instead of the 200 that comes with embryonic stem cells. This is also called being pluripotent. (Miller

Stem cells can become many different cell types. There are three main types; totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent. They have already have been successful in treating some diseases and have the potential to cure many other diseases. Stem cells have also been very useful in drug testing. However they have caused a lot of controversy, but some technology has helped settle this controversy.

Stem cells are what make up the tissues and organs in our bodies. They have the potential to differentiate into different types of cells (Frequent), which make them so exciting to scientists. There are two types of stem cells adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells (Frequent). Although adult stem cells are used in some treatments, they can only differentiate into the same type of tissue they came from, for example an adult stem cell taken from a muscle

What are stem cells? Stem cells are immature cells that have the potential to become specialized as a different cell throughout the body. In simpler terms stem cells are cells that can become another cell and help a damaged part of the body. There are 2 different types of stem cells adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are found in adults, children, infants, and umbilical cords. Obtaining adult stem cells from these sources does no harm to them. Embryonic stem cells are different from adult stem cells by how they are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are obtained through miscarried or still-born fetuses. Many people are against embryonic stem cells because of the religious and ethical aspect. But in clinical trials stem cell research has proven to be beneficial. Stem cell research is the studying of stem

A stem cell is not ready to be a cell, but it has the ability to become different types of cells throughout the human body. There are two types of stem cells: adult stems cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are produced when a newly fertilized egg begins to divide. These stem cells can become any type of cell in the body. (American Medical Association) Adult stem cells – somewhat of an inaccurate name, because they can also be found in infants and children. These are stem cells that reside in already developed tissue. Also these stem cells can act like a repair system and help the human body, dividing regularly into different cells to provide new specialized cells to take the place of those that have died or are lost. Tissues where adult stem cells can be been found include the brain, blood, muscle, skin and bone. Research with adult stem cells has been limited due to the difficulty in growing and differentiating them under laboratory conditions. (American Medical Association)

There are two types of stem cells that are regularly used in research. Each has a different set of characteristics and therefore is able to perform different functions in the body. The two major types of stem cells are adult stem cells, also referred to as somatic stem cells, and embryonic stem cells, which are the focus of major controversy. The areas in which they differ are important to understand since the stem cell debate that has raised serious questions of medical ethics. The primary reason stem cells are so highly demanded is that they retain the ability to develop into many different types of cells; they allow one single cell to give rise to many other types of cells. An example of this is found in bone marrow; the stem

Stem cells are cells that are found throughout the human body. They reproduce over a long period of time without changing. Stem cells can produce specialized cells, such as brain, muscle or lung cells. Stem cells in the last few years have recently made a big debut because medical professionals have discovered so many unique qualities to stem cells. They are on the cutting edge of medicine because of all their uses and the qualities that make them so unique from any other cell in the body. Stem cells have the power to make so many breakthroughs in the medical world. Medical researchers have all ready found so many ways that stem cells can be used for the better of so many people. Genes play an important role in determining what genetic traits or mutations we receive. Researching stem cells can help determine this. Stem cell research is useful for learning many things about human development and about how the body has the power to repair itself. Researchers are finding new ways each day that stem cells can be used and the possibilities that they find for stem cells could be endless. A few ways they can be used to treat diseases, be used as graphs for burn victims or surgical use, and even to correct birth defects. The pros of stem cells are limitless.

The transfer of information, often shared through scientific reports and research, puts this topic in a highly international spotlight. Many supporters believe that stem cells will be able to help solve once untreatable diseases or injuries such as spinal cord injuries, skin burns, Parkinson’s disease, and some blood disorders. However, the main argument is if stem cells should be used in finding therapeutic treatments. The use of embryonic stem cells is viewed by many as a moral inconsistency; it is opposed by religious organizations and individuals believing that this research should be abandoned and existing, alternative methods be adapted.