Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Think of an axolotl, otherwise known as a salamander. These creatures can regrow or regenerate any limb or vital structure in their body to survive. I’m not saying that humans can regrow their limbs, but they can come pretty close. Like the cells in an axolotl, embryonic stem cells have regenerative properties that can regenerate in a human body. They are immortal and have unlimited developmental possibilities. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos, which makes them a huge controversial topic. The problem is ethical and religious views, but understanding stem cells can give you a better idea of them. Embryonic stem cell research can be very beneficial to human life, helping to regenerate cells and …show more content…
A). They are extracted from the fertilized egg and grown in a lab. Embryonic stem cells do not always come from a donor. They are derived from different sources. Most stem cells come from embryos that are no longer needed in fertility clinics. The patients are asked what they want to do with the excess embryos they do not need. They can choose to continue to store them, which costs about $1,000 a year or they can donate them for research (most embryos are donated). If they are donated the embryonic stem cells will be grown in a lab. Lanza, Robert. Embryonic Stem Cell. N.d. Scientific American. Web. 4 Apr. 2015. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/embryos-survive-stem-cell-harvest/. Undoubtedly, growing embryonic stem cells in the lab is a very careful and delicate procedure. Researchers at California Institute for Regenerative medicine stated that “Guiding embryonic stem cells to become a particular cell type has been fraught with difficulty. Normally, stem cells growing in a developing embryo receive a carefully choreographed series of signals from surrounding tissue. In a lab dish, researchers have to mimic those signals. Add the signals in the wrong order or the wrong dose and the developing cells may choose to remain …show more content…
Embryonic stem cells can replenish or regenerate organs and muscles in the body, like the heart and joints. Patients normally have to be put on a waiting list to try and find a donor, many patients die during this process, instead scientists can grow organs with embryonic stem cells that match and can be transplanted into the patient. Stem cells can also help males and females with fertility issues. Understanding these cells during development can help scientists understand abnormal cell development that leads to many harmful and life threatening problems (NIH). Cell Differentiation. N.d. Intech. Web. 4 Apr. 2015. http://www.intechopen.com/books/stem-cells-in-clinic-and-research/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuromuscular-diseases.
In conclusion, embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that come from human embryo’s fertilized in a lab, where they are grown and tested. They have regenerative qualities that can be very beneficial to human life. Some people oppose of embryonic stem cell research because they believe that once an egg is fertilized, it should never be harmed. I believe that stem cell research has a great opportunity to raise the health of the world. The qualities that these
Think of an axolotl, otherwise known as a salamander. These creatures can regrow or regenerate any limb or vital structure in their body to survive. I’m not saying that humans can regrow their limbs, but they can come pretty close. Like the cells in an axolotl, embryonic stem cells have regenerative properties that can regenerate in a human body. They are immortal and have unlimited developmental possibilities. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos, which makes them a huge controversial topic. The problem is ethical and religious views, but understanding stem cells can give you a better idea of them. Embryonic stem cell research can be very beneficial to human life, helping to regenerate cells and …show more content…
A). They are extracted from the fertilized egg and grown in a lab. Embryonic stem cells do not always come from a donor. They are derived from different sources. Most stem cells come from embryos that are no longer needed in fertility clinics. The patients are asked what they want to do with the excess embryos they do not need. They can choose to continue to store them, which costs about $1,000 a year or they can donate them for research (most embryos are donated). If they are donated the embryonic stem cells will be grown in a lab. Lanza, Robert. Embryonic Stem Cell. N.d. Scientific American. Web. 4 Apr. 2015. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/embryos-survive-stem-cell-harvest/. Undoubtedly, growing embryonic stem cells in the lab is a very careful and delicate procedure. Researchers at California Institute for Regenerative medicine stated that “Guiding embryonic stem cells to become a particular cell type has been fraught with difficulty. Normally, stem cells growing in a developing embryo receive a carefully choreographed series of signals from surrounding tissue. In a lab dish, researchers have to mimic those signals. Add the signals in the wrong order or the wrong dose and the developing cells may choose to remain …show more content…
Embryonic stem cells can replenish or regenerate organs and muscles in the body, like the heart and joints. Patients normally have to be put on a waiting list to try and find a donor, many patients die during this process, instead scientists can grow organs with embryonic stem cells that match and can be transplanted into the patient. Stem cells can also help males and females with fertility issues. Understanding these cells during development can help scientists understand abnormal cell development that leads to many harmful and life threatening problems (NIH). Cell Differentiation. N.d. Intech. Web. 4 Apr. 2015. http://www.intechopen.com/books/stem-cells-in-clinic-and-research/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuromuscular-diseases.
In conclusion, embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that come from human embryo’s fertilized in a lab, where they are grown and tested. They have regenerative qualities that can be very beneficial to human life. Some people oppose of embryonic stem cell research because they believe that once an egg is fertilized, it should never be harmed. I believe that stem cell research has a great opportunity to raise the health of the world. The qualities that these