| This article discusses the following topics | | | | |
| in question format on stem cells: | | | | Adult stem cells are a potential source. They |
| | | | can be used to reproduce cell of their type. |
| What are stem cells? | | | | That is, while embryonic stem cells can |
| | | | differentiate into any type of cell, adult |
| How are stem cells obtained? | | | | stem cells can only reproduce cells of their |
| | | | type. If they are muscle cells, they can be |
| What other potential stem cell sources are | | | | used to reproduce only muscle cells. However, |
| there? | | | | recent work has indicated that some adult |
| | | | stem cells may be able to differentiate into |
| Why are we and special groups interested in | | | | other cell types. |
| stem cells? | | | | |
| | | | Why are we and special groups interested in |
| What are the goals of stem cell research? | | | | stem cells? |
| | | | |
| How will stem cells affect our future? | | | | Because stem cells can differentiate, that |
| | | | is, can be used to reproduce other cell |
| If you are deeply interested in stem cells | | | | types, they have tremendous potential for |
| for the first time and want to go beyond this | | | | solving many human health problems. |
| article, go to the National Institute site | | | | |
| and read their very comprehensive list of | | | | Some groups do not want scientist to take |
| frequently answered questions (FAQs). The URL | | | | human embryos for research in any way |
| is | | | | whatsoever. Because of this, President Bush |
| | | | restricted stem cell research to existing |
| If you are deeply interested in stem cell | | | | stem cell sources. Other governments have |
| research, go to: | | | | stayed out of the research arena and stem |
| | | | cells are collected at the whims of the |
| What are stem cells? | | | | scientist. |
| | | | |
| The question should be phrased in terms of | | | | Scientists argue that excess stem cells are |
| embryonic stem cells because that is what we | | | | produced in fertility clinics and that they |
| are talking about here. | | | | should be used to benefit mankind. |
| | | | |
| A human embryo is obtained when a woman's egg | | | | So, what do you think? |
| is fertilized by a man's sperm. This occurs | | | | |
| in the human body but it can also be done in | | | | What are the goals of stem cell research? |
| a laboratory. The procedure is often used in | | | | |
| cases of infertility. | | | | First, scientists want to understand |
| | | | differentiation. We all know that the human |
| I have three grandchildren formed in this | | | | embryo creates all the cell types in the |
| way. Their mother donated eggs, their father | | | | human body. Scientists want to know how and |
| donated sperm, and the technicians watched | | | | when genes turn on and off to create a |
| the fertilization take place under a | | | | particular cell type. Abnormal cell divisions |
| microscope. The fertilized eggs were placed | | | | cause birth defects and cancer. Scientists |
| in the mother and she gave birth to triplets. | | | | want to know what signals a change in the |
| | | | process of cell development. This could lead |
| If embryos formed in this way are not placed | | | | to cures for cancer and birth defects. |
| in the mother they can be and are used for | | | | |
| medical research. Often extra fertilized eggs | | | | Stem cells could be used to test new drugs |
| are produced during this process. Scientist | | | | rather than human guinea pigs and animals. |
| would like to harvest these extra eggs rather | | | | Damage to the stem cells would eliminate the |
| than discard them. They could then use them | | | | drug before it could do damage in the market |
| to obtain stem cells. | | | | place, as so many drugs do now. |
| | | | |
| Stem cells are never obtained from fertilized | | | | I would like to quote directly at this |
| eggs that reside in a woman's body. | | | | point: Perhaps the most important potential |
| | | | application of human stem cells is the |
| The embryos obtained after they are a few | | | | generation of cells and tissues that could be |
| days old are in the form of a mass of cells | | | | used for Cell-based therapies-treatment in |
| called a blastocyst; the embryo of about 150 | | | | which stem cells are induced to differentiate |
| cells. The blastocyst consists of a sphere | | | | into the specific cell type required to |
| made up of an outer layer of cells (the | | | | repair damaged or depleted adult cell |
| trophectoderm), a fluid-filled cavity (the | | | | populations or tissues. |
| blastocoel), and a cluster of cells on the | | | | |
| interior (the inner cell mass). | | | | Today, donated organs and tissues are often |
| | | | used to replace ailing or destroyed tissue, |
| How are stem cells obtained? | | | | but the need for transplantable tissues and |
| | | | organs far outweighs the available supply. |
| Cell cultures are grown in the laboratory by | | | | Stem cells, directed to differentiate into |
| transferring the inner cell mass of about 30 | | | | specific cell types, offer the possibility of |
| cells into a culture dish which has a | | | | a renewable source of replacement cells and |
| nutrient broth. The cells quickly multiply | | | | tissues to treat diseases including |
| and fill the dish. They are then transferred | | | | Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal |
| to other culture dishes and the process goes | | | | cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, |
| on for months. | | | | diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid |
| | | | arthritis. |
| Once the cells are obtained they can be | | | | |
| frozen and shipped to other laboratories. | | | | How will stem cells affect our future? |
| | | | |
| What other potential stem cell sources are | | | | Have you heard of the Fountain of Youth? |
| there? | | | | |