What is a stem cell? A stem cell is a cell with a unique ability and potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. As the body grows, stem cells create new cells and replace certain cells that have been damaged or lost. Since they are capable of giving rise to various cells, they are pluripotent. This idea and term was first introduced by Alexander Maximow and Leroy Stevens in 1953. Further along in 1998, James Thomson and Jeffrey Jones extracted the first human embryonic stem cells which opened the door to many new opportunities in the medical field. Stem cells are the future of Health and Medicine. They have created a lot of ethical controversy among people and have also created hope for several individuals. Even though
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This can be done with stem cell therapy and stem cell transplants. According to cirm.ca.gov, “Stem cell therapy, which is also known as regenerative medicine, could be used to study diseases, identify new drugs, and screen drugs for toxic side effects.” Scientists grow the stem cells in a lab and they manipulate the cells to turn into a specific cell type. By studying how they do so, it provides important clues and information as to how we can treat or prevent diseases and conditions. Furthermore, stem cell transplants use adult stem cells or umbilical cord cells to replace tissue that has been damaged by a disease or injury. Transplants could be used for replacing damaged neurons due to stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, produce insulin that can treat diabetic people, and can replace damaged heart muscle cells from a heart attack. According to mayoclinic.org, “Stem cells replace the damaged cells as a way for the donor’s immune system to fight some types of cancer and blood-related diseases.” Stem cell therapy and transplants are reasons this research should continue because they provide feedback and information that is vital to figuring out how stem cells work. By doing so, the knowledge of the medical field expands which means lots of new possibilities for cures and
This can be done with stem cell therapy and stem cell transplants. According to cirm.ca.gov, “Stem cell therapy, which is also known as regenerative medicine, could be used to study diseases, identify new drugs, and screen drugs for toxic side effects.” Scientists grow the stem cells in a lab and they manipulate the cells to turn into a specific cell type. By studying how they do so, it provides important clues and information as to how we can treat or prevent diseases and conditions. Furthermore, stem cell transplants use adult stem cells or umbilical cord cells to replace tissue that has been damaged by a disease or injury. Transplants could be used for replacing damaged neurons due to stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, produce insulin that can treat diabetic people, and can replace damaged heart muscle cells from a heart attack. According to mayoclinic.org, “Stem cells replace the damaged cells as a way for the donor’s immune system to fight some types of cancer and blood-related diseases.” Stem cell therapy and transplants are reasons this research should continue because they provide feedback and information that is vital to figuring out how stem cells work. By doing so, the knowledge of the medical field expands which means lots of new possibilities for cures and