Diseases: Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become any type of cell in the body, including those that are part of your body’s immune, blood, neural, or organ systems.
Stem cells can be sourced from various places: very young human embryos (embryonic stem cells), the umbilical cord of a newborn baby (cord blood stem cells), and adult tissue (adult stem cells).
Due to their unique capabilities, stem cells have vast potential in treating diseases. They can be used to replace damaged, non-functioning cells in patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, or spinal cord injuries.
Two main methods are used in stem cell treatments: differentiation, where stem cells are manipulated to become specific cells, and transplants, where healthy stem cells replace damaged ones.
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can become any kind of cell (except those that form the placenta). Adult stem cells, also found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat, are multipotent. They have a more limited range in the cells they can become.
Controversy exists around the use of embryonic stem cells due to ethical considerations concerning the destruction of potential life.
Cloning can be used to produce stem cells through a process called therapeutic cloning. A patient’s body cell is fused with a donated egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. This can potentially eliminate issues of cell rejection.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to act like embryonic stem cells, circumventing some ethical concerns. However, this method is still in its experimental stages.
Therapeutic cloning raises its own ethical concerns, such as the potential for reproductive cloning (creating a new individual) and the possibility of exploitation of women for egg donation.
Understanding and knowledge about stem cell uses, procedures, and ethics have critical implications for scientific advancement and societal values. It is crucial to consider the balance between potential health benefits and ethical thought when dealing with stem cell research.