Despite the incredible diversity of cells that exist on our planet, they all have a common origin. Whether a red blood cell, muscle, or brain cell, all begin as a stem cell. These stem cells have become both a source of great potential for medical advancement as well as a hotbed of controversy. (Health, Stem Cell Basics, 2016)
There are two different types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Although embryonic stem cells are the ones most commonly heard about, both have possible uses in medical research. Research into stem cells began with mice in the early 1980’s and branched out to include research involving in vitro fertilization. (Health, 2016) Stem cell research has continued to grow, to include the use of stem cells …show more content…
(Stocum, 2014) For a cell to meet the criteria of a pluripotent cell it must have key factors of which include Oct-4 and Sox-2 which allow a cell to remain in an unevolved state. This allows a laboratory to enhance pluripotency in non-pluripotent cells, meaning adult stem cells. (Winograd, 2016)
The current method of retrieving a pluripotent cell is by using a retroviral vector. The retroviral enters a cell’s nucleus and makes the genes the entire cell carries able to be accessed by other cells. (Winograd, 2016) This process is not without its dangers. Cells exposed to this process have a higher chance of tumor growth brought on by the virus in the retroviral vector. Embryos do not have this risk as they are not yet a person and unable to grow tumors and will not grow to the human stage where they can carry the risk of tumor …show more content…
By allowing stem cell research to continue, whether federally monitored or not, we are experiencing major science breakthroughs. Current scientific discoveries include creating a bladder from cloned cells and the regrowth of a mandible. (Stocum, 2014) Whether you are supportive of scientific research utilizing embryonic stem cells or supportive of the science that is aided by pluripotent stem cells, it is hard to deny there is a bonus to both and the research should be allowed to
There are two different types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Although embryonic stem cells are the ones most commonly heard about, both have possible uses in medical research. Research into stem cells began with mice in the early 1980’s and branched out to include research involving in vitro fertilization. (Health, 2016) Stem cell research has continued to grow, to include the use of stem cells …show more content…
(Stocum, 2014) For a cell to meet the criteria of a pluripotent cell it must have key factors of which include Oct-4 and Sox-2 which allow a cell to remain in an unevolved state. This allows a laboratory to enhance pluripotency in non-pluripotent cells, meaning adult stem cells. (Winograd, 2016)
The current method of retrieving a pluripotent cell is by using a retroviral vector. The retroviral enters a cell’s nucleus and makes the genes the entire cell carries able to be accessed by other cells. (Winograd, 2016) This process is not without its dangers. Cells exposed to this process have a higher chance of tumor growth brought on by the virus in the retroviral vector. Embryos do not have this risk as they are not yet a person and unable to grow tumors and will not grow to the human stage where they can carry the risk of tumor …show more content…
By allowing stem cell research to continue, whether federally monitored or not, we are experiencing major science breakthroughs. Current scientific discoveries include creating a bladder from cloned cells and the regrowth of a mandible. (Stocum, 2014) Whether you are supportive of scientific research utilizing embryonic stem cells or supportive of the science that is aided by pluripotent stem cells, it is hard to deny there is a bonus to both and the research should be allowed to