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Stem cell research is creating controversy worldwide and has become one of the most widely publicised scientific discoveries of the decade.

Stem cells are cells known as ‘master cells’ in that they are able to form different tissues within the body, including tissues that do not normally regenerate. The stem cells which are capable of growing and forming new limbs or organs are called embryonic stem cells, and of course this is the whole attraction of this new scientific technology.

Adult stem cells is a term meaning stem cells which are in the body after birth. Embryonic stem cells are stem cells from embryos which have not developed into a specific cell type. Embryonic stem cells may and can develop genetic abnormalities, however this is not the case with adult stem cells.

The lure of this goal and the benefits to our health continues to lead to ethical issues such as embryo harvesting and cloning with good reason.

Our bodies do contain stem cells and they are released naturally from the bone marrow. With age the process slows down, and the stem cells are not released as they should be. When this happens the body is no longer as sufficient at healing and repairing itself as before.

As stem cells are the only known way to restore lost or degraded cells in the body the technology is emerging into two areas, stem cell enhancement and tissue replacement.
With stem cell enhancement ways are looked at to use the master cells which are normally in the body more effectively because these cells can be used with out the problem of rejection.

Stem cells have been successfully used to form for example new corneas to restore sight, new cartilage, and to repair damage following heart attacks. They are being used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, leukaemia, Parkinson’s disease, and even AIDS.

One thing is a certainty, stem cell controversy is here to stay.

If you are interested in finding out more about stem cells Matt Canham has a blog at adult-stem-cells.ws/ which you might wish to visit.

Tags: stem cell, stem cells, adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells

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