Stem Cells6

Alexandra Thompson, 9M
May 2009
Stem Cells
Introduction
There's a lot of interest in stem cell research it is an exciting field of science which has the potential to repair damaged tissue or organs. However it is an area that is not supported by everyone, and there are strong arguments from both sides of the debate.
What are stem cells?

Most cells in the body of an adult have a particular function which cannot be changed, for example a liver cell cannot be changed to function as a heart cell. However the cells in a newly-fertilised egg are mostly of the same type; there's no difference at that stage between a cell that will eventually become part of a finger nail, and another cell that will become part of an ear drum, for example. Every cell in the human body contains genetic information inherited from its parents called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Depending on the chemicals in each cell's immediate environment (e.g. from neighbouring cells), different parts of the DNA sequence are switched on or off at different times -- and that determines the cell's type and function.[1] Stem cells are different, however, and have the potential to turn into many different types of cell, depending on the type of DNA they contain. The type of stem cells most useful to scientists are from the tissue of embyros, "embryonic stem cells". This is because they are "pluripotent" which means they have the ability to become virtually any type of cell within the body.[2] Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) come from fertilised human embryos (balls of cells the size of pin heads) called blastocysts. In the embryo, the blastocysts go on to form all the tissues of the developing body. These cells have potential to form into any tissue type from bones to brain cells making them pluripotent.
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May 2009
What is stem cell research?

When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialised function. Scientists believe it should be possible to use stem cells to generate healthy tissue to replace unhealthy tissue.
Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos
Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function
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Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas
Arguments in favour of stem cell research

Some people including scientists believe that these stem cells could be used to treat conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, burns and spinal cord damage. With the use of stem cells in the future, surgeons can create new organs to replace damaged organs and this could save many lives. Stem cells could also provide a useful way to test the effects of experimental drugs. It is also hoped that the study of stem cells will help scientists to find out vital clues about how the tissues of the body develops, and how a disease takes hold. The cells could potentially be grown in a lab and be used as an unlimited source of repair tissue. This might even one day help humans to regenerate missing parts.
Arguments against stem cell research

Although some people think we have found the great solution to the end of diseases and conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and diabetes, others such as religious groups are strongly against the use of embryonic stem cells. These cells are typically taken from lab-created embryos that are just four or five days old, and are little more than a microscopic ball of Page 3 of 6
May 2009
cells. However, opponents argue that all embryos, whether created in the lab or not, have the potential to go on to become a human, and as such it is morally wrong to experiment on them.Some religions, such as the Roman Catholic church, believe that life begins at the moment of conception, (a position clarified by the Vatican in the Evangelium Vitae) [3]. As every embryo has the potential to develop into a child, the RC church believes that the destroying of such embryos (which is necessary to gather the stem cells) is equal to murder. Pope Benedict XVI said: "The love of God doesn't make any difference between the newly conceived, still in the womb of his mother, and the baby, or the young person, or the mature man or the old man," he said. "He doesn't make the distinction because in each of them he sees his own image and similarity."[4] Some researchers fear that it is possible that stem cell therapy could pass viruses and other diseases to people who receive cell transplants. Others fear that stem cells which are currently cultivated using nutrients taken from animal sources, could have diseases which could be passed on to humans. Some research has also shown that there is a possibility that stem cells therapy may cause cancer.
Summary
From my research I have gathered that everyone has their own strong opinion on wether the use of stem cell research should continue in the future or not. I believe that stem cell research should continue as this could be a great success in the future. Scientists could do many great things with stem cells and could save many lives and improve the lives of others. Stem cells could also make the world a better place to live in without the fear of dying from fatal diseases as stem cells could be used to cure them. On the other hand, scientists need to collect the stem cells from embryos, this destroys the embryo which has the possibility to develop into a child. This is murder as every embryo has the right to live. Also, if scientists were to continue stem cell research there is a possibility that stem cell therapy could pass viruses and other diseases to people which could result in a devestating effect. There is, however, optimism that a solution which would suit both sides will be found: adult stem cells. Stem cells are also found within adult organs. They have not taken on a final role which means they have the potential to become any of the major specialised cell types within that organ. Their role is to maintain the organ in a healthy state by repairing any damage it suffers. Although there is evidence that their potential is more limited than that of embryonic stem cells.
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It may be possible to use Adult stem cells instead of Embryonic cells
Adult stem cells are separated from other cells
Sources of information
As there are very strong feelings on both sides of the debate on stem cells, it is very likely that some of the information in the media will be very biased or misleading. I have therefore selected Page 5 of 6
May 2009
information only from well-respected sources. The bibliography lists the sources used in this document.
Bibliography
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4562235.stm [2] http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/ [3]http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp
-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae_en.html
[4] http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-02-27-pope_x.htm Images from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/
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Alexandra Thompson, 9M

What are stem cells?

What is stem cell research?

Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos

Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function

Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas

Arguments in favour of stem cell research

Arguments against stem cell research

It may be possible to use Adult stem cells instead of Embryonic cells

Adult stem cells are separated from other cells

[4] http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-02-27-pope_x.htm Images from:

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