HARVESTING STEM CELLS

Harvesting stem cells techniques are crucial for the success of stem cell research. Greater opportunities to treat diseases uniquely are being discovered, thus providing ways to overcome the challenges. These new techniques of harvesting stem cells may soon treat issues which are currently irreversible. It won't be long enough also that controversies that stirred around stem cell research will soon be over.
Therapeutic cloning

Harvesting Stem Cell Though ANT

One way of harvesting stem cells that may put lid on the ethical issues of destroying embryo to obtain stem cell is a procedure called Altered Nuclear Transfer, or ANT for short.
Normally, an embryo is ultimately destroyed once the inner cell mass is removed. These embryonic stem cells were obtained by growing a human embryo, only to be destroyed afterwards. With ANT, it would be now feasible to harvest stem cells without destroying the embryo.

Harvesting Stem Cells Through Blastomere Extraction

Since harvesting of stem cells involves the destruction of embryo during the development stage, which to some translates to 'abortion', this is the part where stem cell researchers need to deal against the accusations (moral and ethical) thrown at them.
These kind of controversies only leads to doubt and mistrust in the medical community. What must scientists do to put an end to these issues is to, once and for all, spare the embryo from any destruction.

It was later found that embryonic stem cells could be obtain without the destruction of embryo through a process called Blastomere extraction. Blastomeres will trigger the cell to divide and the resulting stem cell could still be used for research.

It is also possible to detect birth defects or genetic abnormalities by harvesting stem cells through blastomere extraction.
Assuming no defect has been found, the remaining blastomeres can still be implanted to the mother, and these embryos can then grow into healthy babies.

Harvesting stem cells through altered nuclear transfer and blastomere extraction are neither perfect techniques but continuous studies and experiments will soon put an end to the issues that surrounds stem cell research.

This process has, of course, generated much debate because the embryo could potentially have become a living person. If given a chance, every thing will become clear on both ends.

Both procedures can also pave the way for new techniques that may one day treat a disease that afflicts you or a loved one.