...Stem Cells as a Treatment Overview: Stem cell research is a highly promising field of study. Its most important applications include medicine and therapy. These will be the focus of this paper. To begin: an overview of stem cells, alternatives to embryonic stem cells, and recent advances. Stem cells are amazing for their capacity for self-renewal and, most of all, the ability to become any of millions of cell types in the human body. There are various types of stem cells, each with different potential. This includes embryonic stem cells. These totipotent cell lines come from the inside of the cell mass of a human embryo. These embryos are taken specifically from fertilized eggs not used by in-vitro fertilization (1). At this point, they are just a blastocyst, meaning an embryo composed of approximately one hundred cells. The cells on the inside of the blastocyst are undifferentiated but eventually will multiply and differentiate extensively to make all of the different required cells. Adult stem cells cells also have this same ability. They are found throughout the body and are able to dived to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues (1). Adult stem cells are able to renew themselves and create a variety of cells, but are usually multipotent, meaning that they only are able to specialize into a small selection of cells. ‘Totipotent’ stem cells can be transformed into any type of cell in the human body, however, there is a great amount of controversy...
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... Stem cell therapy Irfan manzoor. Roll no: RP7002B22. Reg. no: 11000225. Course: Bsc. Biotech 1. Lovely professional university Contents 1. Stem cells and properties. 2-3 2. Stem cell therapy. 5-12 3. Stem cell use in animals 13-15 4. Recent researches in stem cell therapy 16-19 5. Conclusion 21 6. Bibliography 22 Stem cells Stem cells are cells found in all multi cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Research in the stem cell field grew out of findings by Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till at the University of Toronto in the 1960s. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate...
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...Stem cell research is one that is widely debated amongst various religions, cultures, and political groups. The question as to when life actually begins is the epicenter of this worldwide quarrel, and may not be settled for some time. Although this may be true, one fact that cannot be denied is that stem cell research has led to many life saving discoveries in various sectors of scientific research. In regards to the ethical dilemma of stem cells, recent developments in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have made it possible to explore the applications of stem cells while avoiding the ethical problems associated with embryonic stem cell research (Seki & Fekuda, 2015). One intriguing area in stem cell research is the potential applications for them in the treatment of cardiac diseases. Studies have explored the potential uses for stem cells for the treatment of heart disease (Yamakawa & Ieda, 2015). Additionally, stem cells have been explored for the treatment of heart failure and myocardial infarction (Rasmussen, et al., 2013). Stem cells and how they may be used for the treatment of various cardiac diseases is an exciting topic and has the potential to change future approaches to the treatment. This paper will examine the applications and significance of stem cells in relation to these common cardiac pathologies. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries and currently there are few effective treatment options available (Yamakawa & Ieda...
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...Stem Cell Research Paper Stem Cell Research Paper Human Biology The human body is capable of many miraculous feats. Every hour, every minute, every second, millions of cells are working to maintain homeostasis within the body. This paper is going to focus on one type of cell in particular, the stem cell. The properties of this little cell are amazing. These unique cells self-regenerate through cell division, and in addition to being unspecialized, have the ability to develop into many different specialized cells of the body. Numerous studies have shown the potential of stem cells to cure cancers, as well as slow or reverse the damages of some neurological disorders, yet stem cell researchers have met with both public and legal resistance during their attempts to show the incredible usefulness of these cells. Therefore, the question is, with stem cell research showing the potential to reverse the damage from or slow the progression of neurological disorders, and possible cures for cancer and other diseases and disorders are the possible benefits too much to ignore? The ability to self-regenerate is one the things that makes the stem cell such an appealing area to study. Most cells and organs in the body do not have the ability to self-regenerate, nor self-repair but stem cells can do both. Stem cells themselves are unspecialized, in that they have so special function (Stem Cell Basics, 2009). Part of the beauty of the stem cell is that through cellular...
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...Research paper on Stem Cell Research Legislation and the related legal issues: What is the history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States? How does it compare to comparable statutes in the rest of the world? In this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of...
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...English 102 Stem Cells: There are 3 main types of stem cells- embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent, that provide great advances to modern medicine (Power). In recent years, the discussion of stem cells has become that of a political and moral debate. There are many misconceptions about stem cell research. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. “Stem cells promise great advances in the treatment of injury and disease, but many problems must be overcome before their potential can be realized.”(qtd. in Power) Before an opinion can be developed on if stem cells should be used, one must know what and how they are used. Stem cells have caught the eye of scientists since the early 1800‘s where cell propagation and differentiation were witnessed for the first time. It was a Russian histologist named Alexander Maksimov who, in 1908, first put forward the existence of the stem cell (and coming up with the term himself) as part of his theory of hematopoiesis (What). According to Maksimov’s hypothesis, all cellular blood components were derived from hematopoietic stem cells(What.). However, there had been no major developments in the field of stem cell research for some 60 years after Maksimov’s theory was proposed In the early 1900‘s European researchers made the discovery that all blood cells and platelets came from a specific ‘stem cell’(What.). However it was not until later in 1963 that the first quantitative descriptions...
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...B) Stem cells. A relative of a friend of yours had a spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided that this patient is a good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy. Your friend has not had a biology course since high school, so you are going to write for him or her a two-page discussion of stem cell information. In your discussion, include a description of the biology of stem cells, and explain how these cells are unique in their ability to treat diseases and injury. The following website from NIH regarding stem cell research will be very helpful: http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp. Before we determine how stem cells can treat various diseases including spinal cord injuries, let us first understand the root of a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system that establishes a structural connection between the brain and the other structures of the body (e.g., arms and legs, bowel, bladder) through nerve fibers. A clear fluid called Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) that acts as a cushion to protect the delicate nerve tissues against damage from banging against the inside of the vertebrae surrounds the spinal cord. The vertebrae is made up of thirty-three bones, each with a circular opening similar to the hole in a donut. (“Spinal Cord Injury: Hope Through Research" NINDS. Publication date August 2003) The central nervous system is organized in a way that allows certain parts of the spinal cord...
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...Stem cell research is a massive topic of discussion within many groups of people around the world. Whether it is right or wrong is the question, however in stem cell research there is no such thing as wrong. People are usually against stem cell research because they are also against abortion and there are horror stories of the experiences patients and pathologists have had with abortion. People believe that stem cell research gets embryonic stem cells from an abortion clinic what an abortion clinic does with the fetuses is either send them to a pathology facility or they just throw them away in the trash. Stem cell research does not use aborted fetuses or embryos for collection of embryonic stem cells. The People against the idea of Embryonic...
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...Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? Reginald Lawrence Is it ethical for stem cells for the advancement of medical research? In the 1800s it was discovered certain cells could generate other cells. The 1900s brought upon more research in using stem cells. The ethical issue surrounding embryonic stem cells research arises because human embryos are destroyed in the process. I believe that the benefits outweigh the negatives and that a greater good can come out of using embryonic stem cells. The treatment of diseases and illnesses continually grows and improves. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to help rectify or even cure disease and illnesses that are thought to be incurable. However, the ethical battle over the sanctity of life rages on. Stem cells can be compared to the building blocks of the human body. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, they can develop into any other type of cell in the body. They are extracted from a cell before they differentiate. They have the capacity to make any of the 200 different cells in the body and can also self-renew or reproduce themselves. Currently, there are 89 stem cell lines, a family of constantly dividing cells, registered with the National Institute of Health (NIH). The first line was discovered in 1998. In 1996 Congress passed the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which put restrictions on federally funding embryonic stem cell research if the embryo was created to be destroyed. In 2001, President Bush implemented guidelines to...
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...Stem cell A stem cell is essentially a “blank” cell, capable of becoming another more differentiated cell type in the body, such as a skin cell, a muscle cell, or a nerve cell. Microscopic in size, stem cells are big news in medical and science circles because they can be used to replace or even heal damaged tissues and cells in the body. They can serve as a built-in repair system for the human body, replenishing other cells as long as a person is still alive. Adult stem cells are a “natural” solution. They naturally exist in our bodies, and they provide a natural repair mechanism for many tissues of our bodies. They belong in the microenvironment of an adult body, while embryonic stem cells belong in the microenvironment of the early embryo, not in an adult body, where they tend to cause tumors and immune system reactions. Most importantly, adult stem cells have already been successfully used in human therapies for many years. As of this moment, no therapies in humans have ever been successfully carried out using embryonic stem cells. New therapies using adult type stem cells, on the other hand, are being developed all the time. Significance of the Study Stem cell therapy is a potential treatment for spinal cord injury and different stem cell types has been grafted into animal models and humans suffering from spinal trauma. Due to inconsistent results, it is still an important and clinically relevant question which stem cell type will prove to be therapeutically effective...
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...FALFA11 Sec E The history of Stem Cell Research Legislation in the United States Adult stem cell research on humans began in the 1960's, first achieving success in the treatment of a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disorder in 1968. Since the early 1970's, adult stem cells have been successfully used for treatment of immunodeficiency and leukemia. Many are in support of the scope, nature, necessity and urgency of stem cell research. If the possibility is there to preserve life and cure diseases such as Cancer, Leukemia, Heart Disease AIDS/HIV, the United States Federal Government should issue more funds towards stem cell research. Those very same people that are against stem cell research may someday find themselves in dire need stem cells to save their lives. A German AIDS patient was able to stop drugs he had been taking for 10 years after getting a transplant of stem cells from a donor with a rare gene variant known to resist the deadly disease. The transplant also cured his leukemia, researchers reported. Embryonic stem cell research does not appear to be ethical and it seems as if a life is being taken in the process. One can’t help but pose the question, “when do the actual stages of life begin”? A Blastocyst is a thin-walled hollow structure in early embryonic development that contains a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass from which the embryo arises. The outer layer of cells gives rise to the placenta and other supporting tissues needed for...
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...-Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. I think by using Stem Cells to cure a disease is a good thing and that the research should continue. -Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions. Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating into different cell types of their tissue of origin. "This is not about red states and blue states. This is not about...
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... Stem Cell Research There are three stem cell procedures I agree with Adult stem cells, amniotic stem cells and induce pluripotent stem cells because they do not involve human embryos. Adult or somatic stem cells “exist throughout the body after embryonic development and are found inside of different types of tissue. These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and the liver. They remain in a quiescent or non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury “(MNT, 2013).The benefits of Adult stem cell transplants (bone marrow transplants) have been used for over 40 years in successfully treating cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphomas, and research has now opened the doors to regenerative and reparative therapeutics. Adult stem cell treatment is widely used in the medical field and I will always support it. Amniotic stem cells “are multipotent stem cells of mesenchymal origin extracted from amniotic fluid. They are able to differentiate into various tissue type, such as skin, cartilage, cardiac tissue, nerves, muscle, and bone and have potential medical applications, especially in organ regeneration (MNT,2013) Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell–like state by being forced to express genes and factors important for maintaining the defining properties of embryonic stem cells (National...
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...IS STEM CELL RESEARCH ETHICAL? Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? Devry University ENGL 135: Advanced Composition Fall Session B 2011 Is Stem Cell Research Ethical? For about a decade now, stem cell research has been heavily debated across a wide continuum of people who have a stake in this argument whether it is for personal and/or professional reasons. One of the main reasons for this debate stems from the deeply underlying ethics that lie beneath this issue. To some people with religious and politically conservative convictions stem cell research is sometimes described as an act against God; therefore, the question of whether stem cell research is ethical or not becomes highly relevant and debatable (as well as also being highly charged) these days. However, when viewed from a different (and perhaps rational) lens other than a religious one, stem cell research could also be thought of as a miracle treatment. The reasoning in which it is known as a miracle treatment is simple because it would help end some people’s unnecessary pain and suffering. With this research they are finding that stem cells could help those who are struck with diseases such as lupus, arthritis, breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and even diabetes, along with the most traumatic medical conditions as well such as a spinal cord injury. These days there are several topics that no one likes to talk about, unless these topics are extremely close to the person that they are discussing...
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...Project The Birth of an Alternative: Using Umbilical Cord Stem Cells to Improve Stem Cell Research Stem cells are intriguing. They are so dynamic, so puzzling, and they contain many of biology’s deepest mysteries. Generally, cellular stemness is characterized by a cell’s self-renewal and potency, the ability to differentiate into specific cell types. In reality though, the science of stem cells goes beyond these distinctions. From studying human development to creating new therapeutic alternatives for diseases, embryonic stem cell (ESC) research promises numerous benefits as it has progressed extensively in the past decade. But because of the ethical issues surrounding the destruction of human embryos, other alternatives have had to be found. So far, adult stem cells (ASCs) have been used for therapeutic purposes such as bone marrow transplants. However, donor DNA-matching has been an enduring problem with this approach. A few years ago, Shinya Yamanaka discovered induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which derives pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells, thereby overcoming both ethical and donormatching issues. Although iPSC presents much promise, the newness of this technology makes it inadequate for immediate use. Now, newer discoveries have been made. Aside from ESCs, ASCs, and iPSCs, stem cells have also been found in postnatal tissue, particularly in the umbilical cord. These umbilical cordderived stem cells have been proposed to treat illnesses ranging from Parkinsonism...
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