This research involves how an organism grows from a single cell and the replacement of worn out cells in organisms.
Stem cells are unique kind of cells that have the ability to grow and develop into other types of cells. Their purpose is to rebuild the body by dividing and each newly formed cell may either remain a stem cell or change to another cell type, for instance white blood cells. These cells are mostly found in multi cellular organisms. Stem cells can be said to possess three major elements. They are unspecialized meaning that they do not have structures that allow them to perform specific tasks.
Although they are unspecialized, they always divide themselves to form a specialized cell. Specialized cells on the other hand are able to perform specific tasks as they have appropriate structures that allow them to perform specific tasks. It is important to note that under some conditions the stem cells can be converted to cells that have special functions like the secretion of vital elements like insulin. The third element is their ability to divide and renew themselves for a long period of time. There are two major kinds of stem cells.
This is the embryonic and adult stem cell respectively.Both of them have different characteristics and functions. Stem cells are very vital in any living organism. They for instance form the vital organs like the lungs, skin and heart in a newly formed embryo.
In adults it is their responsibility to replace cells that are lost through disease or injury. Stem cells are classified into three major classes. One class which gives rise to all body cells is known as Totipotent. Multipotent is of lesser ability and therefore raises a smaller number various cell types while pluripotent gives rise to any type of cell except those required for fetus development.Human embryos that are a few days old can therefore be said to be the origin of stem cells.
As stated earlier there are two major categories of stem cells. The embryonic stem cell is obtained from eggs fertilized in an invitro fertilization clinic, which are then donated for research with the consent of the donors. Embryonic stem cells come about through a process known as cell culture, which basically is the laboratory cell growth. During the formation of embryonic system cells, various tests must be carried out to ensure that cells indeed possess elements of embryonic stem cells, a process known as characterization.Somaic which is another name for adult stem cells are found among differentiated cells although they are undifferentiated.
They have the ability to replicate and their differentiation results to formation of major organs or tissues. The major role played by the adult stem cells is the maintenance, repair and replacement of tissue where the adult stem cells are. It is however not clear of the origin of the adult stem cells. Interestingly though, some kinds of adult stem cells seem to possess the ability to differentiate provided with the right conditions.If this differentiation is controlled in the laboratory then the adult stem cells may just form the basis of therapies for many serious and common illnesses. Research indicates that the bone marrow has two types of stem cells, which are hematopeic stem cells and bone marrow stromal cells.
It is also now certain that the brain has no stem cells with the ability to produce the brain's major cell types. Adult stem cells are small in number and are found in a particular area in every given tissue where they remain non-dividing until a disease or a tissue injury occurs thereby activating them.Research indicates that it is only the liver, brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels and skeletal muscle that have the stem cells There is no defined method of identifying adult stem cells, but one of the most used method is the removal of cells from a living animal, putting them in a culture then transplanting to another animal to determine whether the cell resettle on their tissue of origin. A single adult system is capable of generating genetically identical cells known as a clone whose main role is to give rise to various classes of tissues .It is important to note that while the embryonic system cells can give rise to all cell types adult stem cells are limited to giving rise to cell types of their tissue of origin. Embryonic system cells can be developed in culture but there has not yet been an appropriate method of development of adult stem cells.
Adult stem cells can be reintroduced into a patient without any rejection by the immune system but the same does not apply to the embryonic system where if introduced would cause transplant rejection.The study and research of stem cells enlighten us more and help us understand even better the cells that actually make who we are. Some of the very serious problems that we experience in terms of health like cancer and birth defects are as a result of malformation of the cells. It is therefore of utmost importance and relevance to have an understanding of the cell development and perhaps be in a better position to correct some of this medical conditions. As advancement of science and technology continues it is equally important to look at the ethical aspect of it.Another very obvious application is the making of tissues for medical therapy.
These organs replace malfunctioning organs either because of injury or sickness. However the number of needy people exceeds the number of available organs for donation. Embryonic stem cell have not as yet successfully treated any human disease as the research is still in its early stages. It is only a few years back that US President George Bush allowed federal funding on human embryonic stem cells therefore most academic researchers are still learning as most of them depend on federal funds to support their laboratories.However adult stem cells have also been used in treatment of diabetes and complicated cases of kidney cancer though these two have been very remote cases.
Opponents of stem cell research claim that it is inhuman and should be banned. This research in most cases use discarded embryos by fertility clinics. Campaigners of this research on the other hand claim that thousands of people are suffering with diseases which stem research could be the only cure.More surprising reports to experts now indicate that even menstruation could actually be a source of stem cells to save and sustain life.
The stem cells in this case could be from the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. It is therefore clear that given a chance to see the light of the day, this research could be of great help to human beings. The arguments put forward by the opponents of this research still do not hold much water in comparison with the sufferings that the human being continues to experience and yet the solution is in this controversial research.
