A stem cell is simply a cell capable of developing into any other type of cell. It is a biological foundation that hasn’t specialized itself for a specific purpose, however can easily do so for different functions within the body. The cell can be totipotent (able to develop into an organism), pluripotent (able to form tissues of an organism)or multipotent specialized for a certain tissues e.g. blood).
Whilst stem cells are mainly known for coming from embryos, there are a wide variety of other sources from which they come, including the bone marrow, placenta, teeth, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood, arguably the largest and best source of these cells. Looking into the future, scientists have predicted great change for medicine due to …show more content…
Currently there is no direct treatment of the disease, yet ophthalmologists encourage people suffering from the disease to wear dark glasses and a hat when in bright light. Not just does it hinder people from normal activities outside, but it emotionally restricts them. Socializing, driving and other activities often become very emotionally demanding and difficult. Stem cell-based therapy is the only real treatment that is showing promising progress. When treating Stargardts, stem cells generate mature cells from the photoreceptors that die off when a person is affected by the disease. These human stem cells are derived from embryonic and adult tissue. Despite the great progress it has made, there are several concerns including the possibility of a tumour formation, immune rejection and the risk of developing into unwanted cell types. Research so far is taking place in the U.S. and the UK and is called the Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), which involves the transforming of human stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE). RPE cells break down in Stargardts disease, however are needed to support functions for photoreceptors. By replacing dead cells with healthy ones, there is hope that vision loss can be stopped or slowed …show more content…
The creation of ESC 's is strictly prohibited therefore. Since 2008 however, imported stem cell lines have been allowed to be experimented on to better facilitate stem cell therapy.
UK
The United Kingdom has been a major contributor to bioscience and has been claimed Europe 's leader in stem cell research. Not just to they play a big role in stem cell research nowadays, but Scottish scientist Ian Wilmut successfully cloned the worlds first animal, Dolly the sheep, in 1996. Following this, in 1004, Britain became they third country to allow scientists to clone ESC 's. In 2005, British scientists were the first in the world to successfully clone early-stage embryos. From then on the UK has been leading in stem cell research around the world and conducts many experiments openly.
USA
President w. Bush placed restrictions on the funding of stem cell research due to the various ethical and religious concerns, which led to a rather slow progress in the medical field, after to the halt in research set in place by W. Bush. In 2009, these restrictions were taken away and research continued as before, increasing the process previously
Whilst stem cells are mainly known for coming from embryos, there are a wide variety of other sources from which they come, including the bone marrow, placenta, teeth, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood, arguably the largest and best source of these cells. Looking into the future, scientists have predicted great change for medicine due to …show more content…
Currently there is no direct treatment of the disease, yet ophthalmologists encourage people suffering from the disease to wear dark glasses and a hat when in bright light. Not just does it hinder people from normal activities outside, but it emotionally restricts them. Socializing, driving and other activities often become very emotionally demanding and difficult. Stem cell-based therapy is the only real treatment that is showing promising progress. When treating Stargardts, stem cells generate mature cells from the photoreceptors that die off when a person is affected by the disease. These human stem cells are derived from embryonic and adult tissue. Despite the great progress it has made, there are several concerns including the possibility of a tumour formation, immune rejection and the risk of developing into unwanted cell types. Research so far is taking place in the U.S. and the UK and is called the Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), which involves the transforming of human stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE). RPE cells break down in Stargardts disease, however are needed to support functions for photoreceptors. By replacing dead cells with healthy ones, there is hope that vision loss can be stopped or slowed …show more content…
The creation of ESC 's is strictly prohibited therefore. Since 2008 however, imported stem cell lines have been allowed to be experimented on to better facilitate stem cell therapy.
UK
The United Kingdom has been a major contributor to bioscience and has been claimed Europe 's leader in stem cell research. Not just to they play a big role in stem cell research nowadays, but Scottish scientist Ian Wilmut successfully cloned the worlds first animal, Dolly the sheep, in 1996. Following this, in 1004, Britain became they third country to allow scientists to clone ESC 's. In 2005, British scientists were the first in the world to successfully clone early-stage embryos. From then on the UK has been leading in stem cell research around the world and conducts many experiments openly.
USA
President w. Bush placed restrictions on the funding of stem cell research due to the various ethical and religious concerns, which led to a rather slow progress in the medical field, after to the halt in research set in place by W. Bush. In 2009, these restrictions were taken away and research continued as before, increasing the process previously