Medical Benefits of Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research originated in the 1980s within the field of biotechnology. Since then, progress has been made towards developing a number of potential treatments for what are still considered untreatable diseases. However, controversy regarding the means and methods of study have slowed further progress within the field. This article will address the medical benefits of stem cell research and the controversy surrounding its practice.

Identification

The study of stem cells examines the characteristics and functions of embryonic cell formations. These are the very first cells to form when conception takes place, and they're responsible for the design and construction of the body. From the moment they appear, they continue to divide into the various tissue, muscle, skin, blood and brain cells that make up the body. The stem cell's ability to differentiate itself into specialized tissue and organ masses make it a highly valuable component within the medical field. They are the only cells in the body capable of this level of diversification. Understanding how these cells grow and develop is the primary focus of stem cell research.

Features

Left to their own devices, embryonic cells will develop into different types of cells. Getting these cells to reproduce replicas of themselves was the first problem scientists sought to resolve. It wasn't until 1998, when James Thomson, a scientist at the University of Wisconsin, succeeded in isolating a set of embryos and growing them into stem cell lines. Once this was accomplished, it became possible to observe the process that enables the cell to differentiate.

Scientists knew that the DNA structures within embryonic cells were responsible for their diverse, reproductive abilities; however observations revealed that secretions from neighboring cells also played a part in the differentiation process. As of yet, research attempts have not been able to induce these cells to grow into specific types of cells.

Potential

Organ and tissue transplant materials are in constant demand within the medical field. Accident victims and cancer survivors depend on replacement organs and healthy cell formations to live. These are areas where stem cell applications can greatly reduce the time required to find a replacement organ, or breed healthy cells masses. Other areas in which stem cells would benefit include -
· Alzheimer's disease
· stroke
· heart disease
· diabetes
· rheumatoid arthritis
· Parkinson's disease
· spinal cord injuries

The use of stem cells to replace damaged or diseased cell formations could potentially revolutionize the way physicians diagnose and treat injury and illness. A complete understanding of how these cells work is needed to make full use of their benefits.

Types

As stem cell research progressed, the discovery of adult stem cell formations soon followed. These cells are found in specific organs, or tissue masses within the body. They act in much the same way as embryonic cells as far as reproducing, but they're only able to reproduce cells of their own type. Continued research into adult cells has centered on comparing the different reproductive processes carried out by these two types of cells.

Considerations

The process of removing stem cells from an embryo causes the embryo to die. This inevitable result is the cause of much controversy. The question of at what point is a fetus considered a living being is the central issue surrounding the research taking place. Pro-life advocates define the procedure as an act of murder, stating life begins at the moment of conception. This controversy has had a considerable impact on further developments within the field. As such, adult stem cell research efforts are looking into ways to simulate the differentiating process of embryonic cells.

Also at issue is the inherent potential to clone humans once a full understanding of the process is reached. This concern became particularly apparent when the first successful cloning of a lamb was done in 1997. Proponents of stem cell research continue to stress the treatment benefits that will accompany further progress made within the field. To date, current federal legislations prohibit further embryonic experimentation.

Resources

• The National Institutes of Health - Stem Cell Information
• Stem Cell Resources