About Stem Cell Research

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can become functional differentiated cells under proper circumstances. Stem cell research has been a hot topic of controversy due to embryonic cell research. However, adult stem cell research promises new developments of treatment for a variety of diseases and disorders, including cancer, stroke victims, transplant patients and genetic disorders.

Function

• Stem cells are non-specific cells that continually replicate via cell division for long periods of time. Under special conditions, these cells can become specialized cells, such as cardiac muscle cells or liver cells. Scientists study stem cells to possibly develop cell-based therapies for treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders.

Types

• There are two types of stem cells researched: embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are from embryos--developed eggs fertilized in a laboratory setting. These cells are unspecialized and can be stimulated to become differentiated cells. Somatic stem cells (also called adult stem cells) are undifferentiated cells found in differentiated tissue. These cells reside in the tissue to repair and maintain the tissue. Patients can donate these to research for possible cell therapy in treatment.

Considerations

• There has been a huge controversy over stem cell research, mostly over the research of embryonic stem cells. These stem cells are removed from an embryo before the embryonic cells begin to differentiate. Many conservative and religious groups are against this type of research because they believe that human life starts upon conception, and this research destroys potential human life. From a medical standpoint, research has proven that many embryonic stem cells stored over a considerable period of time develop chromosome anomalies that often create cancer cells.

Benefits

• The overall purpose of stem cell research is to develop cell-based therapies for treatment, such as organ and tissue repair. Stem cells and umbilical cord cells have already been used in treatment for leukemia and lymphoma patients. By using the patient's own stem cells, the chances of transplant rejection are significantly lower and, therefore, yield a higher success rate of the treatment.

Potential

• Scientists have very high hopes for the potential of stem cell therapies. They believe that stem cells can not only provide transplants of bone marrow, but quite possibly other organs. Stem cells may provide a better, more successful treatment for cancer. In addition, researchers experiment with how stem cells can treat neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries and brain damage from a stroke. If researchers' theories are correct, stem cell research could provide an incredible amount of highly successful therapies for untreatable diseases, transplant patients, cancer and genetic disorders.