Stem Cells

Stem Cells

Figure 1
This image shows stem cells and their possible
development into specialized cells.

Stem cells are a certain type of cells which have the potential and ability to develop into specialized cells of the body. This process is most productive during the early stages of life and growth.  These types of cells are called unspecialized cells because they do not have a set function. Stem cells have the capability to develop into any cell which the body needs to repair. Stem cells serve as a repair system in tissue and other internal systems. When reconstructing, they are able to divide without limit to restore other cells.

            There are two significant features that characterize stem cells. One of their characteristics is to be able to renew themselves through reproduction even after long terms of inactivity.  The second distinction is that they are able to become specialized cells, if a certain compartment needs repairing. For example, some stem cells become specialized into bone marrow cells in order to replace and restore damaged or worn out tissues.

A stem cell divides through asymmetrical division which means that the daughter cells have different cellular destinies. Stem cells replicate in this way so that one of the daughter cells has a copy of the original stem cell while the second daughter cell is programmed to potentially differentiate into a specialized cell. The cell which has the possible ability into becoming a specialized cell can contribute to the reparation of many different body cells such as the heart cells, muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells. However, sometimes the parent cell reproduces symmetrically, producing two daughter cells of identical DNA. 

Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells

         Stem cells are very important in the development of organisms. The stem cells can help fix any damage to the tissues in the body by specifically specializing in the cell type needed. Stem cells are a renewable source and replacement for damaged cells which could treat serious diseases. Therefore, scientists have been researching for many years about the therapeutic potential of these cells. The tested therapeutic potential of these cells has been through the method of transplantation so far. This medicine field is called regenerative medicine.

            In a stem cell transplant, researchers specialize the embryonic stem cell (stem cells derived from the early stage of the embryo) into the necessary adult cells. The adult cells or ‘mature’ cells, through transplantation, are then replaced by the damaged tissue which was caused by a disease or injury.

At this point, in this area of medicine and biology, researchers have approved of very few medical uses of stem cells. One of the approved methods is the bone marrow transplantation. This treatment is used for treating blood and other disorders in the immune system. This treatment is a medical procedure of damaged or diseased bone marrow, replaced by specialized stem cells which develop into healthy bone marrow cells.

Figure 2
The process of stem cell usage to develop drugs.

Even though, only a few treatments have been medically approved, scientists are still working on the usage of stem cells and how they can be beneficial to our health. The stem cells are used to study diseases and identification of new drugs and their side effects. This is a developing impact on the human health and technology where transplanting cells is not needed. Scientists are using stem cells to test new drugs. The stem cells are used indirectly meaning that they are being tested on instead of used in the actual products (drugs). Scientists control the differentiation of stem cells to fit them into specific cell types which drugs will be tested on. Depending on how the stem cells react, the scientist will know the validity of the 

Ethical Consideration

Figure 3
Generating stem cells from an embryo.

        Ethical considerations and discussions have always played a big role in this specific part of medicine and research. Countless ethical discussions have taken place over the subject of embryo stem cell usage.  The embryo is formed from a sperm cell and an egg cell, making the egg fertilized. Embryo's are the first step to the growth and development of an organism after the cell egg has been fertilized. Many people may argue that the embryo has a potential of becoming or is a living person and should not be killed or used for purposes like these. Those who claim this, believe that the embryo will become a person and therefore should be give the respect and dignity of a person. However, others argue that an embryo (collection of cells developed from a fertilized egg) which has not been implanted into a woman's uterus, will not have the physical nor emotional properties of a human. And therefore, there is no concern in preserving the embryos since they will be used to aid patience, who are people as well. The following statement, was said by the well known scientist, Stephen Hawking, "Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor neuron disease from which I and many others suffer. The fact that the cells may come from embryos is not an objection, because the embryos are going to die anyway."