I have always had a soft spot and interest in stem cell research and therapy. When this discussion
came up, I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about.
Stem cells are the body's raw materials or cells that all other special cells come from. In a
laboratory setting or under the right body conditions, cells divide to form daughter cells. The so-
called "daughter cells" become new stem cells or cells with a specific function including the brain,
blood, heart muscle, or bone cells (Mayo Clinic, 2022). By the way, no other cell in the body has
the natural ability to generate new cell types. When researchers grow these specialized cells in a
lab, they can then implant them into a person. In these transplants, stem cells replace cells that
have been damaged by chemotherapy or disease and serve as a way for the patient's immune
system to fight off types of cancer. The doctors can use adult stem cells or umbilical cord blood.
This is also known as stem cell therapy which promotes the repair response of diseased,
dysfunctional, or injured tissue. It is an organ transplant on steroids and uses the cells instead of
organs, which are both limited (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
Stem cells come from a couple of sources; the first of which is embryonic stem cells. These cells
come from embryos that are 3-5 days old and have shown to divide into, not only more cells but
any type of cell in the body. This allows the embryonic stem cells to be used to regenerate and
repair diseased tissue and organs. The embryonic stem cells come from eggs that were fertilized
at in vitro clinics. They are donated and can live and grow in test tubes or Petri dishes. The
second type of source can be found in adult tissues including bone marrow or fat. These adult
stem cells have a more limited ability compared to their embryonic counterpart. Recently,
researchers have successfully transformed regular adult cells int stem cells using genetic
programming. This means that they can reprogram the cells to mimic embryonic stem cells.
Finally, scientists have discovered stem cells in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood. These
cells can also transform into specialized cells (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
The controversy and overall ethical issues stem from embryonic cells and how they are obtained
from early-stage embryos. With all the questions that have been raised because of this, the
National Institutes of Health created guidelines for human stem cell research in 2009. These
guidelines the stem cells that are taken from embryos can only be used when the embryo is no
longer needed. Scientists can't use adult stem cells because they are more likely to contain
abnormalities from environmental hazards.
What does everyone else think? How do you feel about using embryonic cells?
Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 19). Answers to your questions about Stem Cell Research. Retrieved April 20,
2022, from$https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-
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