3.1 Adult Stem Cells
Adult stem cells are found in various tissues and organs in all adults and young adults. They occur in tiny numbers and produce specialized cells to replace damaged cells which are unable to reproduce themselves. Adult stem cells can be harvested from the body and used clinically in the treatment of illness and disease. Currently adult stem cells are being used in over one hundred diseases and conditions (ref. ).
The use of adult stem cells avoids the controversy on ethics surrounding embryonic stem cells but as adult stem cells are “multipotent” (can only develop into some types of specialized cells) and because they are found in such small amounts making them difficult to identify and isolate the use of them is limited.
3.2 Core Blood Stem Cells
Core blood stem cells are a source of adult stem cells which are found in the blood of the placenta and umbilical cord which is left over from birth, and have been used to treat Leukemia, Hunters Syndrome and many other conditions that usually occur in children (ref.www.wikipedia.com).
3.3 Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem cells occur in the very early (week old) embryos of humans before it implants in the uterus and have the ability to develop into all types of specialized cells, this is called “pluripotent”.
Embryonic stem cells are created from cloned embryos, usually left over and donated by IVF patients. A mass of cells descending from the original cell, which share genetic characteristics are created and batches are then separated from the mass used by researchers to develop treatments for illness (these masses are called cell-lines).
4 Potential of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Research into embryonic stem cells is currently only at the basic research stage due to controversial issues surrounding and is not practiced in many countries. The potential for clinical advances using embryonic stem cells in huge and scientists believe that with future extensive research, whole organs could be cultivated to replace those damaged beyond repair and to treat currently incurable conditions.
5 UK Stem Cell Bank
The UK’s first stem cell bank was launched by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in September 2002, financially funded by the MRC and The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). It is hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), and was officially opened in May 2004. On the day of opening, 19th May the UK’s first two embryonic stem cell lines were deposited by Kings College London and The Centre for Life in Newcastle. The bank is the first of its kind not only in the UK, but also in the world.
The UK Stem Cell Bank stores derived stem cell lines of adult, fetal and embryonic cells and distributes them to researchers in order to help and support the continuation stem cell research of which eventually will revolutionize the treatment of human illnesses and diseases of which there is currently no cure.
The UK Cell Bank introduced strict safety measures to ensure that embryonic stem cells are properly used and handled.
6. Controversial Issues
There are a number of groups who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research and it involves the destruction of human embryos. Pro Life groups consider it abortion and therefore murder, and believe the cloning of the embryos ethically and morally wrong.
They say adult stem cells can produce the same results as scientist believe can be achieved by embryonic stem cell research and development, that research into adult stem cell should be intensified and financial backing increased.
Scientists argue that “Embryos used in research would normally be discarded or frozen indefinitely if not used in research” (ref: ).
7 Bibliography
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Campbell. Reece, Biology6th edition.2002.
Benjamin Cummings. San Fransisco, USA.
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and social care topics, 2005(online)
