Stem Cells

Stem Cells Overview

  • Stem cells are unique cells which have the ability to develop into many different cell types in the body.
  • They serve as an internal repair system and can divide without limit to replenish other cells.
  • Stem cells are essential for growth and development from the earliest stages of life.

Types of Stem Cells

  • Stem cells are divided into two main types which are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
  • Embryonic stem cells occur in human embryos during the blastocyst phase (3-5 days after fertilisation) and have the potential to develop into all types of cells in the body.
  • Adult stem cells are found in developed tissues like bone marrow and can only develop into specific types of cells depending on their location.

Applications of Stem Cells

  • Stem cells are used in regenerative medicine to repair damaged tissues or organs.
  • This can be done through Transplantation, where healthy cells replace cells that have been damaged or lost due to injury or disease.
  • Stem cells are also used in Research to study the early stages of human development, and to test new drugs for safety and effectiveness before testing on humans.

Potential and Risks of Stem Cells

  • The manipulation of stem cells could lead to advances in medical treatments; however, the proliferation and transplantation of these cells present significant risks.
  • Uncontrolled growth of stem cells could lead to the formation of unwanted tissues or tumours.
  • Using stem cells from one individual to another (allogenic transplantation) could lead to immune rejection where the recipient’s immune system attacks the transplanted cells.

Ethical Considerations of Stem Cells

  • The use of embryonic stem cells raises several ethical issues because the embryos are destroyed in the process.
  • Many argue that embryos have potential for life and therefore have moral status, making their use for research unethical.
  • Others believe that the potential benefits of embryonic stem cell research outweigh the ethical concerns, as it could lead to treatments for serious illnesses and diseases.

Stem Cell Legislation

  • In the UK, the use of embryonic stem cells for research is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  • The law permits the use of embryos under 14 days old for research, but only with a license and under strict regulations.

Remember, stem cells are critical in understanding human development and diseases. But beyond the science, consider the ethical implications and regulations tied to their substantial potential in biology.