Stem cells are cells that possess the ability to develop into different cell types in the body. They can also serve as a repair mechanism, dividing several times to replenish damage tissue. Stem cells are unspecialized cells, which can renew themselves through cell division, sometimes, even after a long period of inactivity. Stem cells can also be induced, under physiologic or experimental conditions to produce tissue specific or organ specific cells (News Medical, 2012).
Embryonic stem cells are stem cells derived from the early stage of division of human embryos shortly after fertilization. They are isolated from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Adult stem cells, on the other hand are found in various tissues of the body. They act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues. Induced pluripotent cells are normal adult epithelial cells, which have been reprogrammed to possess pluripotent capabilities, meaning that they can divide into cells that are more specialized (NIH, 2012).
Adult therapies like bone marrow transplant have been successfully carried out to treat leukemia, a form of cancer of the blood cells. Other potential uses of stem cells are in the treatment of diseases like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Multiple sclerosis and cancers (NIH, 2012).
The stem cell controversy is concerned with the use of embryonic stem cells (News Medical, 2012). The issues concern the creation, treatment and destruction of these human embryos from which the cells are derived (NIH, 2012). The creation of human embryos requires their destruction after the stem cells have been harvested. This has led some people to speak out about the fact that it violates the right to life of the embryo. I am in favor of stem cell research because of the potentials it possesses in the treatment of many medical conditions. However, if this would be the case, there needs to be a tight regulation into the use of stem cells so that it is not used for purposes other than this.
Works Cited
NIH. "Stem Cell Basics". Stem Cell Information. The National Institute of Health Resource for Stem Cell Research. April 2012. http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp
News Medical. "What are Stem Cells?” News Medical. April 26, 2012. http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Stem-Cells.aspx
