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Helps in study of human development – Certain diseases such as cancer and birth defects occur due to abnormal cell division. Stem cells can be differentiated accordingly to study these diseases more effectively.
- Generation of cells and tissues – Stem cells can be grown in culture solution to form certain tissues that can be used to perform cell – based therapies too cure diseases such as stroke, diabetes etc.
- Internal Repair System – Stem cells can be used to form new cells without any limit and can thus be used to replenish dead cells as well as regenerate tissues and at times whole organs.
- Stem Cell Storage – At birth, the baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells can be stored in liquid nitrogen and can then be later used for curing diseases.
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Biology Project – The Stem Cell
Research Question 3 – What are the sources of stem cell?
Ans. There are three main sources of stem cells –
- Bone marrow – Bone marrow is a spongy tissue present inside the bone. Its job is to produce blood cells in the body. It is a very rich source of stem cells. The pelvic bones have the most bone marrow and thus bone marrow is generally extracted from there. Donors are given anaesthesia and needles are stuck into their bones. The bone marrow is extracted through these needles and stored in liquid nitrogen.
- Peripheral Blood – When a donor is given hormones called as growth factors the stem cells in the bone marrow grow and enter the bloodstream. A catheter (thin, flexible tube) is attached to one of the donor’s veins and the blood pumped out. The stem cells are filtered out and the blood re – pumped into the donor.
- Umbilical Cord Blood – A large number of stem cells are found in the blood of the baby. Some of this is in the umbilical cord and the placenta. This blood can be stored in liquid nitrogen and used at a later date. Although the number of stem cells might be lesser than that in bone marrow these stem cells from a baby’s blood can divide into more blood cells than the stem cells in the bone marrow. Also, these stem cells can be used for people whose tissues are not well – matched.
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Biology Project – The Stem Cell
Research Question 4 – Why is stem cell research so controversial?
Ans. The controversy lies because –
During stem cell research (especially embryonic stem cell research) a scientist is literally playing God. It is the scientist which creates and destroys lives as though he is the Creator and the Destroyer.
The extraction of egg cells from an embryo requires its destruction and therefore a potential human life is being taken. Some people especially politicians believe this is unethical and synonymous to murder.
Stem cell research critics argue that the potential benefits are heavily outweighed by the cost of the human lives that are being taken away.
There are other sources of stem cells as answered in the previous part. These stem cells are adult stem cells. If scientists can wait for some time adult stem cells can be used instead of embryonic stem cells.
A life is a life no matter how many days or weeks it is old. By killing the embryo one is essentially taking away one potential human being. Killing few in the hope of saving many lives is risky and unethical.
However, nowadays researchers take these egg cells only when they are anyway going to be aborted or are infertile.
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Biology Project – The Stem Cell
Research Question 5 – Argument for stem cell research.
Ans. I have taken a pro stand in this controversial debate.
It is a basic utilitarian principle that if one life can save many it is worth the loss of that one life. Therefore, if a single egg cell is being killed but the research conducted on it has the potential to save millions then the process should carry on. Furthermore, the society allows for abortions to take place. Isn’t abortion also taking away a life? And now is killing a microscopic cell for beneficial purposes the same as driving a knife through the heart of an eight year old girl?
Also, stem cells are only obtained from embryos which are anyway going to be aborted or are infertile. Then is this process even unethical? The answer is a simple no. If the embryo is anyway going to die a few weeks later why not use it to save more lives?
The only argument left to refute is that of the potential of the embryo being killed. Again, as the embryo is doomed to die why not use its potential elsewhere? Why not use it to find cures to diseases?
Adult stem cells are too few to research on and aren’t as useful as well. They are not a good substitute.
My word to stem cell research is – go ahead. We are not playing God of all things. If we are doing anything, we are only saving lives and this perfectly moral and ethical. If we want to see a world without cancer, tumours and numerous other diseases this is the only solution!
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Bibliography
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