Stem cell research: applications and therapeutic potential

Stem cell research is a hotly debated topic in today's society. These remarkable cells have the ability to grow into a variety of different cell types, dividing without limitation. These unique properties have led scientists to theorize that stem cells could repair damaged or diseased parts of the body, opening new medical possibilities. Denying stem cell research now would be denying medical advancements that could potential save millions of lives in the future. Not only is the claim that using embryos for stem cells is committing murder not valid, but different methods of obtaining stem cells are being developed, even those that are similar in ability to embryonic stem cells. This combined with the greater good that can be achieved with successful cures and treatments from stem cell research clearly demonstrates the need to continue to support this valuable scientific work.

Stem Cell Research Overview:

Stem cells differ from other cells in two ways. First, they are unspecialized, formed without a specific purpose, and renew themselves, through cell division, for long periods. Second, and of particular interest for medical researchers, stem cells can be induced, via certain physiologic or experimental conditions, to become specialized cells, as needed. Scientists work with either embryonic and adult stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells create specialized cells such as the heart, lungs, and skin, in a developing embryo. Adult stem cells can create bone marrow, muscle, and brain tissue that is lost through normal wear, injury, or disease. It is believed that stem cell research may hold the key for successfully treating such debilitating diseases like: heart disease, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease ("Stem Cell Basics").

Medical researchers study stem cells to understand their essential properties, and how stem cells differ from their specialized cell brethren. The end goal of scientists is to then use these cells in both cell-based therapies, but also to screen new drugs and toxins, and even understanding birth defects. To this end, scientists are studying the fundamental properties of stem cells, including:

determining precisely how stem cells remain unspecialized and self renewing for many years; and identifying the signals that cause stem cells to become specialized cells ("Stem Cell Basics").

This research will allow them to help the multitude of people afflicted with a variety of diseases.

Stem Cell Application:

This is perhaps the most important potential application for human stem cells - the generation of cells and tissues that can be used for cell-based therapies. Approximately 25.6 million Americans currently have diagnosed heart disease ("Heart Disease"). Stem cells may be utilized to generate healthy heart muscle cells, for patients with chronic heart disease. "Preliminary research in mice and other animals indicates that bone marrow stem cells, transplanted into a damaged heart, can generate heart muscle cells and successfully repopulate the heart tissue ("What are the Potential Uses").