Stem Cell Research The Way Medical Professionals Treat...

Stem research is making giant leaps that could revolutionise the way medical professionals treat diseases and test drugs. Medical applications of stem cells are already evident in our present society but due to some ethical, legal and social issues surrounding the use of stem cells, specifically embryonic stem cell research, it has been brought into a political crossfire. Stem cells were discovered in human cord blood in1978.( )Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated and have the remarkable potential to differentiate into specialized cell types through cell division.(1) Throughout our body stem cells can be found either perpetuating the stem cell pool by self-renewal or replacing dead or damaged cells through†¦show more content†¦Stem cells are found in early embryo (blastocyst), the foetus, umbilical fluid, the placenta and umbilical cord blood.(9) During the stages of life after birth and the rest of life stem cells continue to reside in many parts of the body incl uding skin, hair follicles, bone marrow and blood, brain and spinal cord, gut, lung, joint fluid, muscle and fat just to name a few.(9) Researchers are trying to harness the regenerative potential of stem cells to be able to grow new cells for medical treatments that require the replacement of damaged cells in the body. There are three types of stem cells that have been found. The first of which are embryonic stem cells, first discovered in 1988. (10) Human embryonic stems cells or ES cells are the most primitive type of stem cells and has the ability to generate into every type of cell in the body. (10) These stem cells are derived from early stage embryos called blastocysts that are around five to seven days old. (10) Embryos for stem cell research are donated with consent from patients who have completed IVF treatments and have surplus embryos. (10) These excess embryos would otherwise be discarded. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can divide into more stem cells or can give rise to all of the cell types that make up the body. (11) Due to this versatility, embryonic stem cells can be used to regenerate or repair diseased tissue and organs.