However, the completely unsullied nature of newly formed and undefined embryonic cells holds untold promise to scientists in this field who think they may be a more versatile means of generating healthy human tissue. Scientists have identified other possible sources of stem cells, such as somatic cells. Bush banned federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, citing that the use of these embryos, which would otherwise be discarded or would deteriorate in long-term storage, diminishes the value of human life. Since embryonic stem cells were discovered in 1998, political and ideological beliefs have significantly influenced the support and progress of research in the US. Some tissues and organs of the body also produce undifferentiated cells, called adult or somatic stem cells. Stem cells can be sourced from embryonic tissue, which usually comes from unused and donated embryos from in-vitro fertilization treatment. The research underway in this field is to determine how scientists can trigger these unspecialized cells and instruct them to become specialized and form into new tissue or organs, such as healthy pancreas cells for someone with Type 1 Diabetes, or new neurons for someone whose nerve cells were damaged by Parkinson’s Disease. The beneficial potential for stem cells is that under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. Stem cells are defined by the National Institute of Health as unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Thus, the new administration poses a threat to the continued support of research and innovation in this field, despite the abundance of breakthroughs already made that are on the cusp of providing lifesaving cures and therapies for millions of people.įirst, let us go over that exactly is the topic at issue here. Conservatives tend to view stem cell research – and particularly embryonic stem cell research – with disfavor. This will aid the farming industry.Stem cell research is a volatile scientific topic in the US, with supporters who are usually divided along political lines. Clones can then be made in large numbers. Stem cells can be harvested from the meristems of plants that have characteristics, such as resistance to particular diseases, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, fast rate of growth. Meristems can be used to produce plants with favourable characteristics.These plants can then be grown in favourable conditions, as clones of the original plant, in order to keep these rare plants in existence. Stem cells from the meristems of plants that are threatened by extinction can be harvested. Meristems can be used to prevent extinction.There are many ethical opinions for and against the use of stem cells for both treatment and research: These cells should not be rejected by the immune system of the patient, as they have the same genetic material as the patient. Stem cells are then taken from the embryo to treat the patient. An embryo is produced, to have the same genetical material as the patient. Therapeutic cloning uses stem cells from the patient.Therefore we can use therapeutic cloning to reduce the risk of rejection. Although the above techniques (for diabetes and paralysis) are effective, there is a risk of the recipient’s immune system rejecting the ‘foreign’ cells. Immune rejection is an issue in medical treatment.Stem cells can be transplanted for example in bone marrow transplantation to treat leukaemia. Stem cells can be used in transplantation.These cells are used to treat those who suffer from the nerve damage that causes certain types of paralysis. Stem cells can be differentiated to form nerve cells. Stem cells can be used to treat paralysis.This insulin can be used in insulin injections. Stem cells can be made that can produce insulin, in order to treat those who suffer from diabetes (type I). In diabetes, patients suffer from a lack of insulin, and therefore have high blood glucose levels.
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