Nepomuceno
Kayla-kae Nepomuceno
Ms. Stallings
IB Biology Period 1
13 September 2012
The Therapeutic Uses of Stem Cells in Humans
The human body structure is exceedingly complex and is composed of various types of cells. Amongst the numerous cells is the stem cell, which is an unspecialized cell that is able to give rise to one or more specialized cells. A more specific type of stem cell is the embryonic stem cell, which can be developed in a laboratory and can perpetuate themselves if contained in suitable conditions. The major purpose of the production of embryonic stem cells is for therapeutic treatments on living organisms such as humans or animals. Scientists that attain the right conditions for these cells are able to cultivate them for repair or replacement of injured, diseased, or dead organs and tissues. Two of the therapeutic uses for stem cells are for treating Parkinson’s disease by replacing the deteriorating cells and for growing new heart cells to repair damaged heart cells from heart attacks.