Background information
Most likely, everyone has at least heard of stem cells. But what about the difference between adult stem cells versus embryonic stem cells? Why is embryonic stem cell research so controversial? In order to answer these and many other questions a basic working knowledge of stem cells and the ethical, political, and social issues surrounding the subject is necessary. I will begin with a brief introduction to stem cells.
The human body is composed of countless types of cells: blood cells, nerve cells, brain cells…. etcetera. Stem cells on the other hand are undifferentiated cells, meaning they are not any specific type of cell. When they divide, they have the power to become any of a number of cell types. During division only one nascent copy goes on to become differentiated, while the other copy remains a stem cell.
The two types of stem cells I will be describing throughout the semester are adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells. Unlike the name suggests, these types of stem cells are found in children and adults. Adult stem cells are somewhat limited in the number and type of cells into which they can differentiate. For this reason, adult stem cells are not as popular for research purposes as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells on the other hand are the controversial ones and the type of stem cells people hear about most often in the news. An embryonic stem cell is pluripotent, meaning it has the ability to differentiate into many, many types of cells; they are much more ‘powerful’ than adult stem cells. What makes embryonic stem cell research so controversial is how the cells are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the inside of a blastocyst (a human embryo with anywhere from 50-150 cells). In the process of obtaining embryonic stem cells, the blastocyst must be destroyed. Now, the controversy becomes clear.
In summary, stem cells are nonspecific cells that have to ‘power’ to become a certain type of cell. Two major types of stem cells are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are found in children as well as adults and can differentiate into a limited number of cell types. Embryonic stem cells are found only in human embryos, often referred to as blastocytes. Adult stem cell research is not controversial. Embryonic stem cell research is extremely controversial because of the way in which the embryonic stem cells must be obtained. Unfortunately, it is believed by many a scientist that embryonic stem cells are much more powerful and could provide a greater range of therapies for those suffering from disease or injury compared to adult stem cells. As you can probably already predict, the range of social, political and ethical issues surrounding stem cell research, especially embryonic stem cell research is wide.
"Stem Cell Types." Stem Cell. 5 Sept. 2006. 5 Sept. 2006.
The human body is composed of countless types of cells: blood cells, nerve cells, brain cells…. etcetera. Stem cells on the other hand are undifferentiated cells, meaning they are not any specific type of cell. When they divide, they have the power to become any of a number of cell types. During division only one nascent copy goes on to become differentiated, while the other copy remains a stem cell.
The two types of stem cells I will be describing throughout the semester are adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells. Unlike the name suggests, these types of stem cells are found in children and adults. Adult stem cells are somewhat limited in the number and type of cells into which they can differentiate. For this reason, adult stem cells are not as popular for research purposes as embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells on the other hand are the controversial ones and the type of stem cells people hear about most often in the news. An embryonic stem cell is pluripotent, meaning it has the ability to differentiate into many, many types of cells; they are much more ‘powerful’ than adult stem cells. What makes embryonic stem cell research so controversial is how the cells are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the inside of a blastocyst (a human embryo with anywhere from 50-150 cells). In the process of obtaining embryonic stem cells, the blastocyst must be destroyed. Now, the controversy becomes clear.
In summary, stem cells are nonspecific cells that have to ‘power’ to become a certain type of cell. Two major types of stem cells are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are found in children as well as adults and can differentiate into a limited number of cell types. Embryonic stem cells are found only in human embryos, often referred to as blastocytes. Adult stem cell research is not controversial. Embryonic stem cell research is extremely controversial because of the way in which the embryonic stem cells must be obtained. Unfortunately, it is believed by many a scientist that embryonic stem cells are much more powerful and could provide a greater range of therapies for those suffering from disease or injury compared to adult stem cells. As you can probably already predict, the range of social, political and ethical issues surrounding stem cell research, especially embryonic stem cell research is wide.
"Stem Cell Types." Stem Cell. 5 Sept. 2006. 5 Sept. 2006
posted by Stephanie @ 9/05/2006 05:45:00 PM
3 Comments:
At 9/05/2006 8:45 PM,
April said…
I am very interested in your research. Stem cell research is a subject I am in strong favor of. However, I don't know everything about it such as the process, what they can potentially cure, etc. This is why I found your blog particularly interesting.
At 9/07/2006 1:16 PM,
Jeff Edwards said…
I agree with April. I am looking forward to hearing your opinions on the subject and also gaining a more clear understanding of the issue at large. I am clearly in favor of the positive aspects of stem cell research but am on the fence on how the obtain the cells. I need to do more research before I can make a sound judgement one way or the other.
At 9/09/2006 3:41 PM,
Allison said…
I feel like you have done a good job of briefly explaining what a stem cell is and the differences between adult and embryonic. I may be wrong with my input, so please forgive me if I am. Aren't adult stem cells much harder to obtain, since they are in bone marrow? Since adult stem cells are not differentiated, what keeps them from having the same "power" as the embryonic. Why can't they differentiate into any type of cell? Are they restricted to just those that are near it?
Where do embryonic stem cells end and adult stem cells begin? Why can't embryonic stem cells be retrieved from the umbilical cord? Wouldn't that be enough to start, or are scientists planning on using countless blastocytes as their object of study?
I can't wait to see how your research goes, and hopefully many of my questions will be answered so I too, can make an informed decision on this highly controversial subject.
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