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Using Stem Cells . A stem cell is a cell that can continuously divide and differentiate into various tissues. Some stem cells have more potential to differentiate than others.
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Using Stem Cells • A stem cellis a cell that can continuously divide and differentiate into various tissues. • Some stem cells have more potential to differentiate than others. • Adults’ bodies have some multipotent cells that can be removed, frozen or cultured, and used for medical treatments. • The cells of new embryos have more potential uses. • The use of embryos for stem cell research poses ethical problems. • An alternative source of embryonic stem cells is through SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transplant).
What are Stem Cells? Stem Cells are extraordinary because: They can divide and make identical copies of themselves over and over again (Self-Renewal) Remain Unspecialized with no ‘specific’ function or become . . . . Specialized (Differentiated) w/ the potential to produce over200different types of cells in the body.
The Major Types of Stem Cells • Embryonic Stem Cells • From blastocysts left over from In-Vitro Fertilization in the laboratory • From abortedfetuses • B. Adult Stem Cells • Stem cells have been found in the blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, cornea, dental pulp, umbilicalcord, brain, skin, muscle, salivary gland . . . .
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Stem_cells_diagram.pnghttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Stem_cells_diagram.png
Advantages and Disadvantages to Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june14/stemcells_01-29.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june14/stemcells_01-29.html Reprinted with permission of Do No Harm. Click on image for link to website.
Why is Stem Cell Research So Important to All of Us? • Stem cells allow us to study how organisms grow and develop over time. • Stem cells can replace diseased or damaged cells that can not heal or renew themselves. • We can test different substances (drugs and chemicals) on stem cells. • We can get a better understanding of our “genetic machinery.”
What Human Diseases are Currently Being Treated with Stem Cells? • Parkinson’s Disease • Leukemia (Bone Marrow Transplants) • Skin Grafts resulting from severe burns Stem Cell Therapy has the Potential to: • Regenerate tissues/organs • Cure diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Why the Controversy Over Stem cells? • Embryonic Stem cells are derived from extra blastocysts that would otherwise be discarded following IVF. • Extracting stem cells destroys the developing blastocyst (embryo). -Questions for Consideration- Is an embryo a person? Is it morally acceptable to use embryos for research? When do we become “human beings?”
Key ConceptQuestions • How are transgenic organisms useful to human beings? • Genetic engineering has spurred the growth of biotechnology, a newindustry that is changing the way we interact with the living world • How are cloning and stem cell research related? • Cloning can produce organisms that are geneticallyidenticalto preexisting individuals. Stem cells can be used to grow new tissues.