Articles, Information and News on Stem Cells
Every new breakthrough in research also brings in new potential dangers and side effects. Same is the case with embryonic stem cell research. To make an effective outcome, we need to demonstrate the effectiveness and also identify and minimize the risks .
TIll now two major risks which have been identified are
Research with fetal tissue so far has been limited to only a few cell types: neural stem cells, including neural crest cells; hematopoietic stem cells; and pancreatic islet progenitors.
Neural stem cells, which are numerous in the fetal brain, can be isolated and grown in an undifferentiated form in culture, and they have been shown to differentiate into the three main types of brain cells.
These cells have been used in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease.
Neural crest cells arise from the neural tube and migrate from it throughout the developing fetus. They are able to develop into multiple cell types, including the nerves that innervate the heart and the gut, non-neural cells of hormone-secreting glands, pigment cells of the skin, cartilage and bone in the face and skull, and connective tissue in many parts of the body. Neural crest cells from mice have been cultured in the laboratory. [Read more...]
It is evident now that studies with human stem cells are essential to make progress in the development of treatments for human disease, and this research should continue. Recently US president lifted the ban on this research and paved a way for new inventions and discoveries.
It must be understood that we are still in infancy as far as stem cell research is considered. At the same time it is the need of time to monitor the research so that it does not go astray. Every research is a promise or threat. We must make sure that it does not become a threat.
Evaluation of potential risks to research subjects and ensuring compliance with all legal requirements must be done.
We must work for betterment of society. Stem cell is cutting edge and very promising. But it needs to be watched.
Apart from the differences in sources human embryonic and adult stem cells each offer advantages and disadvantages when channeled for potential use for cell-based regenerative therapies.
They differ in number and type differentiated cell types they can become.
Differentiation Capacity
While embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent, adult stem cells are limited to differentiating into their tissue of origin. [Read more...]
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