Stem Cells And Its Effects On The Field Of Bioengineering

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the pancreas not being able to produce insulin which regulates the levels of glucose in the blood (Bennett 17). People who struggle with this condition need insulin shots several times today to ensure their blood sugar remains in a healthy range. This often times is a burden on the diabetic's daily lifestyle. If unchecked, diabetes can cause severe weight loss, overwhelming tiredness, increased thirst and hunger, and excessive urination. Scientists and doctors have been seeking for ways to help diabetic's cope with this illness. After years of researching and testing, they have begun developing a method to help alleviate the problems of diabetes. This new method, islet cell transplantation,

In humans adult stem cells, not embryonic stem cells, have been used in therapies for more than forty years. People with blood disorders have used stem cell therapy to take the opportunity to improve upon their life. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells have a very high potential to treat or even cure numerous diseases like diabetes and heart disease. They are much more versatile in their usage compared to adult stem cells. Another practical use for embryonic stem cells is to treat damaged nerves ("Testing The Use…”). These nerves could have been impaired in a spinal cord injury. As of today, scientists have already performed stem cell transplants in people whose cells were damaged through chemotherapy of disease.

To give a short overview of the steps that will be taken to complete the study. Obtaining stem cells, whether adult, embryonic or induced, shall be done using healthy mouse models and after ethical approval has been gained. The process to derive them will be detailed below, however they are also purchasable commercially with the benefit of being well studied and accompanied by a detailed analysis of properties, however with a

There are a number of advantages associated with the stem cell research. As these stern cells obtained from embryos possess the capability to renew them and can set apart into a broad cell type range, the research on these stem cells can have potential comprehensive and influential applications. One of the great examples of this is the fact that embryonic stem cell research can have significant benefits for those who suffer from Type I diabetes. Moreover, embryonic stem cell research put forwards remarkable

. Embryonic stem cells have been identified by scientist as a type of stem cell that can advance regenerative medicine. The potential of regenerative medicine ranges from allowing pancreatic cells to produce insulin for diabetics to reconnecting the nerves in severed spinal cords. However, the greatest potential embryonic stem cells presents are its ability to change into any of the more than 200 different cell types in the body. This ability to change into any cell type can produce cures for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or any of the other conditions that stem cell therapy might help therefore improving the lives of those who live with these

cells which can help treat people suffering from diabetes. Even tissues can be grown again by

stem cells were discovered a long ago that they can be beneficial for fighting against the killer diseases but after passing of two decades of the discovery it has been profound that (hESCs) are being tried as a treatment for two noteworthy illnesses: heart fail and type 1 diabetes.

The process when stem cells give rise to blood cells, or any other specialized cells, is called differentiation (“Stem Cell Basics”). Stem Cells’ ability of differentiation can be targeted and directed to generate tissue and therefore to cure degenerative diseases (Panno 24-28). However, such medical promise faces the doubts and gives rise to disputes. In fact, federal funds for stem cell research were banned under President Bush’s administration, but the ban was then lifted by President Obama’s administration (Obama). Despite the different arguments, more medical trials should be conducted with embryonic stem cells in order to determine whether the medical promise is applicable or far-fetched.

Being one of the most exciting and promising fields of medical research, embryonic stem cell research has progressed over the years going more in depth to discover the key to unlock the cure to many diseases. These unique individuals have the ability to copy themselves an unlimited amount of times and can grow into any cell type in the body. Scientists are seeing infinite value in these cells. They are able to further their research on the understanding of human development and how they can help treat many diseases. These embryonic stem cells give hope for medical advancement having the ability to grow into many different cells and can replace damaged or dead ones, producing new organs in the process. These cells have the ability to prevent or reduce the suffering of many people with many fatal diseases. Continuing stem cell research can further eradicate life-threatening diseases, introduce new medical knowledge, and help improve the health and appearance of burn victims.

Initially the results of islet cell transplantation were dismal but after the induction of glucocorticoid free immunosuppressive therapy and the use of adequate number of islet cells from multiple donors, showed a significant improvement in β – cell function with insulin independence 9. However, islet cell transplantation has its own limitations viz-insufficient supply, technically demanding and use of life -long immunosuppressive therapy in the recipients and progressive insulin dependence. These shortcomings can be overcome by the use of stem cells, which is an inexhaustible source of β –cells.

Imagine if there was a way to cure juvenile diabetes and many other genetic diseases, well there could be a way using embryonic stem cells. The problem is that the stem cells are controversial, some say that scientists should not do research because the stem cells could potentially become a human child. However others believe that research should be done because, the stem cells do not have any psychological, physical, and emotional characteristics of a human yet (Lauren Joseph). Embryonic stem cells can be very versatile to cure genetic diseases and benefit us more than not using them at all.

Massimo Trucco of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, reported that transferring islet cells from a pig's pancreas into a human could be a cure for this disease (Mark Roth). In New Richmond, Wisconsin, a dynasty of pathogen-free pigs are being raised in a cinderblock bubble style building. These pigs are bred to generate an unusually large number of insulin producing islet cells that will eventually be a cure for diabetes (Marcothy). These cells can be replaced in a human from a pig's pancreas and supply an almost limitless supply of insulin. This limits the need for insulin

“Through the isolation and manipulation of cells, scientists are finding ways to identify young, regenerating ones that can be used to replace damaged of dead cells in diseased organs. This therapy is similar to the process of organ transplant, only the treatment consists of the transplantation of cells rather than organs. The cells that have shown by far the most promise of supplying diseased organs with healthy cells are called stem cells.” (Chapter Preface)

My hypothesis is by using stem cells to create human insulin producing cells we can eliminate Type 1 diabetes.

Stem cells, which have the ability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) either in vivo or in vitro, would provide a potentially unlimited source of islet cells for transplantation and alleviate the major limitations of availability and allogeneic rejection. Therefore, the utilization of stem cells is becoming the most promising therapy for