EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

Embryonic stem cells stirred too much controversy because of its source that involves 'embryo', albeit the fact that it has the greatest therapeutic potential. Usually derived from vitro fertilization; eggs have been fertilized outside the woman's body and donated for research purposes.

Embryonic stem cells can either be totipotent or pluripotent. Totipotent embryonic stem cells have the ability to become any cell in the human body, while pluripotent stem cells can become any type (in the body) except for those who needed to develop a fetus or planning to have a baby.

Key factors to harness embryonic stem cells true potentials to treat disease is by isolating and growing them. Diseased and dysfunctional cells can be replaced if scientists are able to guide the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into different cell types. Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson's and Spinal injuries are among the known conditions that could be treated by transplanting cells harvested from human embryo.

Embryonic stem cell research

Benefits of Embryonic Stem Cells

Since embryonic stem cells are obtained from early Blastocysts, embryonic stem cells have specific properties that make them useful in cell-based therapies. During the early stage (blastocysts), they can develop into one or more than 220 cell types in an adult.
Extensive research to coax embryonic stem cells to differentiate into specialized cells (heart, muscle and nerve), a vast number of diseases can be treated. Embryonic stem cells can proliferate indefinitely, thus allowing them to be produced in large numbers to replaced damaged cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells and Drug Testing

testing drugs on embryonic stem cell lines allows scientists to gauge their safety before applying them to animals and humans. It also allows them to understand cell development, which is an essential step in the treatment of serious medical conditions such as cancer and birth defects, both result of dysfunctional cell replication.

Positive uses of embryonic stem cell

until procedures for embryonic stem cells of isolation and growing them are defined, their use will likely become inconsistent. It also needs to deal with lack of public acceptance, due to the controversy that surrounds it. The destruction of embryo for cells currently faces ethical and moral issues. There's also about immune rejection, wherein the patient's immune system reject the healthy (embryonic) stem cell.

The only good thing here is that these challenges can be overcome in the future and those suffering from serious diseases can soon benefit from embryonic stem cells.