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 | The most useful stem cells are found in embryos. William Walker has written: |
"In an embryo, cells form an outer layer which later become [sic] the placenta. but cells located in the inner layer have not determined what they will eventually be. These 'pluripotent' cells could become many of the 220 types of cells in the human body." 1
| There are also adult stem cells that can be removed from a baby, child
or adult. Examples include:
|
Adult stem cells from bone marrow and nervous tissues appear to be severely limited in potential. But cells removed from embryos have two extremely valuable properties:
| They can divide for long periods of time in the lab to produce more stem cells. |
| They can transform themselves into any of the cells present in the human body (e.g. skin cells, liver cells, heart cells, etc.). |
The potential of stem cell research can now only be guessed at:
| Methods may be found whereby they could be formed into replacement
tissue and even entire organs. They may eventually be used to repair
injured or poorly functioning brains and nervous systems. New, more
effective treatments may be developed for a wide range of injuries,
disorders and diseases. To date, preliminary research looks very encouraging:
|
In 1998, according to Focus on the Family:
"More than 50 disease advocates and scientific societies, representing such concerns as diabetes, blindness, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, AIDS, Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, stroke, lymphoma, infertility and cancer--as well as professional groups that focus on such issues as cell biology, aging, microbiology, ophthalmology, cardiology, pediatrics and reproductive medicine--... sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to support federal funding for...[stem cell] research." 2
| If researchers can decode how cells develop into tissue and organs, then they will begin to understand the mechanisms of "abnormal growth and development which, in turn, could lead to the discovery of new ways to prevent and treat birth defects and even cancer." 4 |
| Researchers might be able to develop specific cell types, tissues, organs, etc. from embryonic stem cells. The former could then be used to study the effects of new drugs. This should reduce the numbers of animal studies and human clinical trials that are required before new drugs are approved. |
| It is important to realize that adult stem cells derived from bone marrow and neural tissue have very limited potential for differentiation. "Embryonic stems cells...appear to be able to give rise to many more, possibly all, cell types and tissues. It is this pluripotentiality that makes the embryonic cell so promising for both a basic understanding of differentiation and for the development of cell therapies." This information is rarely published in articles which condemn embryo stem cell research, but is important to remember. 5 |
Current status of treatments and cures using stem cells:
Research using adult stem cells is already producing many therapeutic techniques leading to treatments or cures of diseases and disorders. Adult stem cell research has a two-decade head start over embryonic stem cell research. Thus, there are no instances of treatments on humans using embryonic stem cells yet, and none were anticipated for perhaps a decade into the future. However, a remarkable breakthrough has been achieved by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. It may result in treatments for human stroke victims by 2013.
Researchers caused strokes in ten laboratory rats, causing serious disabilities. They then coaxed human embryonic stem cells to develop into neural stem cells. The latter were transplanted into the rats. The cells migrated to the damaged area of the rats' brains, incorporated themselves into surrounding brain tissue. The cells developed into neurons and two other important types of brain cells. Reuters reported:
"The transplanted cells helped repair the stroke damage and enabled the rats to recover lost function in front legs weakened as a result of the stroke."
Referring to the rats' functioning after treatment, one of the leaders of the research, Dr. Gary Steinberg, said:
"It was not quite back to normal but, at least in the rat, it looks like it's going to be close to normal -- very impressive. ... Now remember, this is a rat, not a human. We still have to make that step. But if we could achieve that kind of recovery in humans, we would have a great therapy." 6
References used in the above essay:
- William Walker, "Stem cell research row splits U.S.," Toronto Star, 2001-JUL-5, Page A1 & A11
- Anon, "Human Embryo research/fetal experimentation," Focus on the Family, Policy statement dated 1997-DEC-15. See: http://www.family.org/cforum/research/papers/a0001013.html
- "Stem cell research: Medical progress with responsibility," Chief medical officer's expert advisory group on Therapeutic Cloning," at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/cegc/
- Harold Varmis, Statement before a Senate appropriations subcommittee. See: http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/statement.htm
- "Berg leads advocacy for stem cell research." Dr Berg is Cahill Professor of Biochemistry, Emeritus, and Director of the Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center. He is also Chairman of the American Society of Cell Biology Public Policy Committee and Co-Chairman of the National Research Council’s Commission on Life Sciences and the Board on Biology. See: http://www.ascb.org/news/vol22no6/policy.htm
- "Stem cells repair stroke damage in rats," Reuters, 2008-FEB-19, at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com
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Copyright © 1998 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2008-FEB-22
Author: B.A. Robinson
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