Stem Cell Elena

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are a group of identical cells which develop and grow into different types of cells. According to Medical News Today, in most common situations, stem cells form from embryo's and adult tissue, which are also known for their potential to develop into different cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells 

Figure 1: Visual description of the development and function of an adult stem cell

"Embryonic stem cells are derived from a four- or five-day-old human embryo that is in the blastocyst phase of development."(source). Before the embryonic stem is produced, the fertilized egg, a zygote, starts to multiply it's cells. Once the group of cells is set in the uterus, it becomes a blastocyst. The blastocyst consists of an inner and outer mass. The outer mass, the trophoblast, then develops into the part of the placenta around the growing organism, while the inner mass, the embryoblast, develops into the organism itself. These cells from the inner mass that develop into a human body are embryonic stem cells, holding the potential to become a cell of any part of the human body (see Figure 1).

Adult Stem Cells


These types of cells are found in the body once developed from the embryonic state. Adult stem cells are found in different types of tissues, such as brain and skin. They hold their single form, without dividing, until acted upon a disease or injury. Adult stem cells have the ability to multiply and develop continuously, therefore allowing them to expand the range of cells in organs. 

The main function of these cells is to develop cells which are "damaged" by multiplying to replace them. The body's renovation is controlled by our adult stem cells. Here is a video of a man who suffered from unhealthy stem cells which were unable to fully maintain his health. He turned to stem cell transplantation, and lived through a miracle.

For more visuals and information about stem cells, click here.

Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells

Figure 2: Visual representation of adult vs embryonic stem cells

The cells in our body all have a specific function. According to StemCellsThailand.org, stem cells, specifically, hold the function to renovate cells which have been damaged by disease or injury, therefore controlling out body's health. Adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells, both hold the function of repelling diseases such as ALS, Leukemia, diabetes, and infertility (see Figure 1). However, embryonic stem cells have developed into the cell from the organ it protects, whereas adult stem cells may develop into different cells. When looking at the therapeutic aspect of stem cells, adult stem cell are more practical and effective in controlling the body's health, due to their ability to transform into other cells, therefore raising the probability of repelling the disease. You can see the different ways of development, as well as functions in Figure 2.

Ethical Issues of Stem Cell Therapy

While our body contains countless stem cells, trying to maintain our body's health, in many cases the diseases are too powerful to be repelled. This all depends on the health of our body and how capable our stem cells are. In the video above, the man who's stem cells failed to maintain his health, turned to transplant therapy to remain his physical health. However, even with the perks of avoiding such diseases or lowering the effects, there are many ethical issues. According to StemCellres.com, other potential stem cells have been discovered, as well as the pursuing of the idea to artificially increase their potential within our body, raising ethical issues. Even if these newly discovered stem cell types have the power to control our body's health more than embryonic or adult stem cell, which naturally developed in our body, adds risk to the patient's long term health. In the aspect of embryonic stem cells, an embryo is at the stage of developing into a living being, where if therapy is used to artificially develop these cells, the risks of killing them may raise. Since embryos are becoming living, killing the cells, even if not intentionally, through therapy is considered unethical.