Stem+Cell+Research

"What are stem cells?." 27 Feb 2009 .


 * stem cells have ability to renew themselves through mitosis
 * can differentiate into many different specialized cells
 * embryonic stem cells - derived from blastocysts
 * adult stem cells - found in adult tissue
 * cord blood stem cells - can be harvested from umbilical cord following birth
 * in embryo, embryonic stem cells are essential for development, acting as precursor to all specialized embryonic tissue
 * in adults, stem cells and progenitor cells aid in repair of tissue, replenishing specialized cell types
 * stem cells will play important role in future medical treatments because can be readily grown and coaxed to differentiate into any cell type in culture
 * most common use of adult stem cells in clinic is bone marrow transplants for treatment of leukemia
 * future applications for use of stem cells includes treatment of Parkinson's disease, cancer, and spinal cord injuries
 * adult stem cells less controversial because harvesting doesn't require destroying an embryo

Robinson, B. A.. "Stem cell research: all viewpoints." 22 Feb 2008 27 Feb 2009 [].


 * embryonic stem cells - primitive type of cell that can be coaxed into developing into all 220 types of of cells found in human body
 * blood cells, heart cells, brain cells, nerve cells, etc.
 * derived from human embryos in process that causes death of embryos
 * adult stem cells - some similarities to embryonic stem cells
 * research has two decade head on research on embryonic stem cells
 * potential treatments already advanced to human trial stage
 * adult cells limited in flexibility
 * pro-lifers believe killing embryo is form of homicide
 * others believe embryo has potential to develop into a person, but is not a person itself
 * embryo has no brain, sensory organs, ability to think, awareness of its surroundings, consciousness, internal organs-arms, legs, head, etc.

"Stem Cell Research - Pros and Cons." (2008) 27 Feb 2009 .
 * Con on usage of knowledge - "We should not mess with human life."
 * Con on usage - can lead to cloning humans
 * Pro on usage - Parkinson's disease
 * Pro - Alzheimer's
 * Pro - Heart diseases, stroke, & diabetes type 1
 * birth defects
 * spinal cord injuries
 * replace/repair damaged organs
 * reduced risk of transplantation (possibly get duplicate of heart for heart-transplantation)
 * some believe we should wait for more ethical way to research