What Side Effects Can Embryonic Stem Cell Transplants Have?

Stem cells are master cells that the human body uses to create other cells that have a specific function such as nerve cells, blood cells or cells of specific organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys. Researchers are studying embryonic stem cells and other types of stem cells for potential uses to treat diseases, replace specific cells in the body and test new drugs. Embryonic stem cell transplants may produce some undesirable side effects.

Embryonic Stem Cells

• Embryonic stem cells are versatile stem cells that are found in human embryos that are four or five days old, according to the Mayo Clinic. These cells can create any type of specialized human cell or they can produce more stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because stem cells are extracted from unwanted frozen embryos at in vitro fertilization clinics. The embryos are not viable after the stem cells have been removed.

Other Types of Stem Cells

• Scientists and doctors use other types of stem cells in therapies and research. Adult stem cells grow in many kinds of human tissue and are found in adults and children as well as umbilical cords and placentas. Scientists have altered regular adult tissue cells to create stem cells with a versatility that is similar to embryonic stem cells. The amniotic fluid in a woman’s uterus contains amniotic stem cells that can be safely extracted for medical research.

Stem Cell Therapies

• Physicians use bone marrow transplants to treat patients whose bone marrow does not create healthy stem cells. The transplanted adult stem cells create various types of blood cells in patients whose bone marrow is not healthy enough to create sufficient amounts of blood cells. Stem cell therapies with adult stem cells have been used to treat heart failure and other degenerative disorders. Embryonic stem cell therapies or transplants are not generally available to treat human diseases.

Stem Cell Differentiation Effects

• Embryonic stem cell transplants will only be successful if the transplanted stem cells create a specific type of human cell that a patient needs. Scientists need to reliably direct an embryonic stem cell to differentiate or transform into a desired type of cell. If a patient receives embryonic stem cells to replace diseased heart muscle cells, then the cells must not differentiate into bone cells or nerve cells. Patients may develop cancer if transplanted stem cells divide into tumor cells.

Other Embryonic Transplant Side Effects

• Transplanted embryonic stem cells may not affect a desired body tissue and may inadvertently travel to a part of a patient’s body where the stem cell is not needed. Stem cells may cause undesired and possibly dangerous results if they are active in the wrong parts of a patient’s body. Transplanted stem cells may trigger the body’s immune system to perceive the cells as invaders and cause harm to the stem cells. Stem cells may function in other incorrect ways in the human body.