Answer by fss
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.
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.
The term adult stem cell refers to any cell which is found in a developed organism that has two properties: the ability to divide and create another cell like itself and also divide and create a cell more differentiated than itself.
Most adult stem cells are lineage-restricted (multipotent) and are generally referred to by their tissue origin (mesenchymal stem cell, adipose-derived stem cell, endothelial stem cell, etc.).
Adult stem cell treatments have been successfully used for many years to treat leukemia and related bone/blood cancers through bone marrow transplants.Adult stem cells are also used in veterinary medicine to treat tendon and ligament injuries in horses.
Answer by Peter S
Totipotent (totally potent) embryonic stem cells are capable of forming every type of body cell. Each totipotent cell could replicate and differentiate and become a human being. All cells within the early embryo are totipotent up until the 16 cell stage or so.
Next are the pluripotent embryonic stem cells which can develop into any of the three major tissue types: endoderm (interior gut lining), mesoderm (muscle, bone, blood), and ectoderm (epidermal tissues and nervous system). Pluripotent stem cells can eventually specialize in any bodily tissue, but they cannot themselves develop into a human being.
Answer by midnightmoon
Of course they should have access to embryonic stem cells. If its socially and morally acceptable for women to kill more embryos in vain attempts to get preg after their body clearly and loudly said no, then it is most definatly ok for scientists to use the embryos they left for dead in research that could help many people live better lives.
Yes, adult stem cell research has made tons of progress. I myself have had adult stem cell treatment (I had a hematopoetic stem cell transplant). However, who knows what embryonic stem cells could do?
I also think it is unfair that people say embryonic stem cells havnt given results yet. Do you know it was something like 40 years between the discovery that bone marrow was hematopoetic stem cells and the first hematopoetic stem cell transplant?? If it took 40 years to make any kind of progress with adult stem cells, I dont think its fair to call embryonic stem cell research over in less than 10, ESPECIALLY when there are more embryos being killed daily that could be used with the research. Stopping embryonic stem cell research today would not stop embryos from being destroyed.
Some people ask if it would have been ok for Hitler to do experiments on the Jews after he killed them. HUGE differences between those situations. First and foremost, embryos are NOT humans. They have no distinct organs, they have no heart, they have no feeling and they no consciousness. The are less than 14 days old. If they were in a live woman, she wouldnt even know she was preg yet. It is a total misconception that these stem cells come from aborted babies and that women are paid to get preg and have abortions. Not even close to true. However, even if this research did come from abortions, if it is legal for me to have an abortion and take the remains home for burial, you CANT say its illegal for me to have a legal abortion and then donate the remains to research. You just cant.
Further more… Its a cliche and over used question, but… If there was a fire, and you had to choose between saving one baby, and a container of a million embryos, which one are you going to save? NO one would go after the container of a million embryos, they would ALL go after the baby without a second thought about it.
Answer by dadnbob
It’s one of those miracles of life that we are still trying to figure out.
Latest News
Teens Claim Top Prizes in 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology
The year’s highest science honor for high school students was awarded today to biochemistry research on cancer stem cells and an innovative use of gaming technology in the area of leg injuries and prosthetics in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, America’s premier science research competition for high school students. Administered by the College Board, the Siemens Competition is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The thirteenth annual awards were presented this morning at The George Washington University, host of the 2011 Siemens Competition National Finals. Angela Zhang, a senior at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, won the 0000 Grand Prize in the Individual category for using nanotechnology to eradicate cancer stem cells. Ziyuan Liu and Cassee Cain, seniors at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will share the 0000 Grand Prize in the Team category for using new gaming technology to analyze human walking patterns, work that could ultimately be used in prosthesis design for amputees.
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The Control of Breast Stem Cells
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Stem Cell Books
Christian activists file lawsuit against HHS/NIH to halt federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.(Government Activity)(Brief Article): An article from: Transplant News This digital document is an article from Transplant News, published by Transplant Communications, Inc. on March 16, 2001. The length of the article is 1704 words. The page length shown above is based [...]
80 Nobel laureates urge President Bush to continue federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.: An article from: Transplant News This digital document is an article from Transplant News, published by Transplant Communications, Inc. on February 28, 2001. The length of the article is 909 words. The page length shown above is based on a [...]
President Bush likely to try banning federal funds for research using tissue, stem cells from aborted fetuses.: An article from: Transplant News This digital document is an article from Transplant News, published by Transplant Communications, Inc. on January 31, 2001. The length of the article is 501 words. The page length shown above is based [...]
- Christian activists file lawsuit against HHS/NIH to halt federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.(Government Activity)(Brief Article): An article from: Transplant News
- 80 Nobel laureates urge President Bush to continue federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.: An article from: Transplant News
- President Bush likely to try banning federal funds for research using tissue, stem cells from aborted fetuses.: An article from: Transplant News