Stem Cell Research -- English 101.01

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Subject: Stem Cell Research

Author:
Samantha Songhurst

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Date Posted: 21:32:31 04/15/04 Thu

As a Biology major, stem cell research is a controversial issue that I find extremely interesting. Researchers are exploring the idea of using stem cells to repair damaged hearts, treat and cure Parkinson�s disease and strokes, and treat inherited genetic diseases. The controversy with stem cell research is whether it is ethical or not.
Stem cells are master cells in the body that have the capability to transform into any cell or tissue. Researchers believe they have the potential to revolutionize medicine. Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body. All stem cells � regardless of their source � have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types.
Adult stem cells and Embryonic stem cells are two types of cells that can be used in stem cell research. Adult stem cells have been identified in many organs and tissues. One important point to understand about adult stem cells is that there are a very small number of stem cells in each tissue. Stem cells are thought to reside in a specific area of each tissue where they may remain quiescent (non-dividing) for many years until they are activated by disease or tissue injury. The adult tissues reported to contain stem cells include brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin and liver. Scientists in many laboratories are trying to find ways to grow adult stem cells in cell culture and manipulate them to generate specific cell types so they can be used to treat injury or disease.
On the other hand, Embryonic stem cells, which are derived from embryos, can be more useful in stem cell research due to the fact that embryonic cells can be coaxed into becoming any type of tissue in the body. These cells have not become differentiated yet, so they have not associated themselves with any particular type of body tissue. Embryonic stem cells can be found in umbilical cords as well as in fertilized or cloned embryos.
The controversy with stem cell research comes with the idea of using fertilized or cloned embryos. A new development in stem cell research is using infant teeth rather than embryonic stem cells. Infant teeth have been identified as a valuable source of the master cells and much easier to obtain than controversial embryonic stem cells.
The idea of using stem cells to cure disease could change medicine drastically. Since this research brings about controversy with ethical issues, it makes this topic all the more interesting.

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