Stem Cell Research
By: Parth Patel
What is a Stem Cell?
A stem cell is undifferentiated cell of a multicellular organism that is capable of giving a rise to indefinitely more cells of the same type, and from which certain other kinds of cell arise by differentiation.
Where Do They Come From?
Stem Cells have become quite a big topic in the world of biology. There are two types. There's embryonic and adult stem cells. The embryonic stem cells come from embryos or embryonic tissue. Embryonic stem cells can help regenerate or repair damaged or diseased organs and tissue. Adult stem cells can be located in adult tissues in small amounts. They can be found in bone marrow or fat. However they're ability to regenerate or repair organs is limited compared to embryonic tissue.
Potential Stem Cell Therapies
Researchers believe that using stem cells can possibly help treat or even cure diseases. Stem Cells eventually mature into bones, tissue, nerves, and even heart muscle. By taking a look at maturing stem cells it can help lead scientists can get a better idea of how disease develop. Stem Cell therapy will help benefit people who suffer from Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, stroke, heart disease, spinal injuries, cancer, and osteoarthritis. Stems Cells have great potential. They can be grown into new tissue and be used for transplant or regenerative medicine.
The Benefits Of Stem Cells
Although stem cells have caused major controversy over the negatives, people need to also understand the positives. People who have cancer, disease, or in need of transplant are always awaiting for a treatment or cure. However, who knows how long it'll take to find these treatments and cures. Patients die just from waiting and have lost hope in getting better. The benefit of stem cells could help repair and replace cells to help treat cancers, diseases, and help with transplants. For example, if one had Parkinson's disease they would have some damaged brain cells. With the help of stem cells they can replace the damaged cells for healthy and more functioning cells. Also if someone had a heart attack, they could have damaged tissue. The stem cell could replace it with fully functioning muscle cells. So what its going to be we let people lose hope and die or we do something that we know will help and let patients live a longer life?