Stem Cell Breakthrough - No Embryos or Ethical Dilemmas
October 9th 2006 07:05
Stem Cells Without Embryos or Ethical Objections
The latest breakthrough in stem cell research involves a possibility of creating stem cells without using the cells of an embryo, but using skin cells instead.
Stem Cells - The Background
Stem cells are essentially blank cells that have not yet been designated a function and can turn into any cells such as blood cells, hair cells or brain cells and multiply. In the human body they come in when other cells have died and take over their job, becoming whatever cell is required.
Stem cells are being intensively studied for their potential to fight against disease as they can repair specific tissues or grow organs. To obtain a desirable stem cell, embryonic cells are grown outside the body (in vitro in a test tube) and after a tweak by a scientist they can be assigned any function desired and implanted in the sick. The scientists change the chemical composition of the cell culture medium, alter the surface of the culture dish, or modify the cells by inserting specific genes. Through years of experimentation scientists have established some basic protocols or "recipes" for some specific cell types.
The Breakthrough
The recent forward step in stem cell research hopes to totally wipe out the typical ethical problems that comes with it - i.e. using human embryos which are eventually destroyed. Tests have been performed on mice whereby skin cells are obtained and are exposed to four messenger chemicals that are only found in embryonic stem cells which results in the production of what are effectively embryonic stem cells. The scientists responsible for this recent discovery are Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi of Kyoto University in Japan.
With ethical objections overcome, replacement tissues for the re-creation of organs means that organ transplant waiting lists could become a thing of the past. And because the stem cells would be from the patient (from their own skin cells, for example) there would be no problem with the body trying to reject the newfound organ, as there can be with donated organs. Currently, patients can spend the rest of their lives on immunosuppressive drugs.
Obviously it would be absolutely fantastic if the tests performed on mice worked in humans too, and apparently experiments on human cells are currently being undertaken. The studies on mice showed successful generation of tissues and organs like nerves, muscles, cartilage, heart and liver.
Although, stem cell expert Stephen Minger of Kings College in London is doubtful. He says it seems a bit too easy and I think many people thought it would be much more complicated than this, and whether the cells are stable, safe, and have full differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells remains to be seen. But John Gurdon of the Gurdon Institute in Cambridge believes it just could work in humans, and that if it works, it would be remarkable and immensely useful, both scientifically and therapeutically.
So fingers crossed everyone, we may be one step closer to tackling disease with the aid of stem cells.
Original article - New Scientist
Reference - US National Institute of Health
The latest breakthrough in stem cell research involves a possibility of creating stem cells without using the cells of an embryo, but using skin cells instead.
Stem Cells - The Background
Stem cells are essentially blank cells that have not yet been designated a function and can turn into any cells such as blood cells, hair cells or brain cells and multiply. In the human body they come in when other cells have died and take over their job, becoming whatever cell is required.
Stem cells are being intensively studied for their potential to fight against disease as they can repair specific tissues or grow organs. To obtain a desirable stem cell, embryonic cells are grown outside the body (in vitro in a test tube) and after a tweak by a scientist they can be assigned any function desired and implanted in the sick. The scientists change the chemical composition of the cell culture medium, alter the surface of the culture dish, or modify the cells by inserting specific genes. Through years of experimentation scientists have established some basic protocols or "recipes" for some specific cell types.
The Breakthrough
The recent forward step in stem cell research hopes to totally wipe out the typical ethical problems that comes with it - i.e. using human embryos which are eventually destroyed. Tests have been performed on mice whereby skin cells are obtained and are exposed to four messenger chemicals that are only found in embryonic stem cells which results in the production of what are effectively embryonic stem cells. The scientists responsible for this recent discovery are Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi of Kyoto University in Japan.
With ethical objections overcome, replacement tissues for the re-creation of organs means that organ transplant waiting lists could become a thing of the past. And because the stem cells would be from the patient (from their own skin cells, for example) there would be no problem with the body trying to reject the newfound organ, as there can be with donated organs. Currently, patients can spend the rest of their lives on immunosuppressive drugs.
Obviously it would be absolutely fantastic if the tests performed on mice worked in humans too, and apparently experiments on human cells are currently being undertaken. The studies on mice showed successful generation of tissues and organs like nerves, muscles, cartilage, heart and liver.
Although, stem cell expert Stephen Minger of Kings College in London is doubtful. He says it seems a bit too easy and I think many people thought it would be much more complicated than this, and whether the cells are stable, safe, and have full differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells remains to be seen. But John Gurdon of the Gurdon Institute in Cambridge believes it just could work in humans, and that if it works, it would be remarkable and immensely useful, both scientifically and therapeutically.
So fingers crossed everyone, we may be one step closer to tackling disease with the aid of stem cells.
Original article - New Scientist
Reference - US National Institute of Health
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Comment by Chantal
One of my dearest friends has Cystic Fibrosis and Stem Cell research would be prolific in the creation of a cure for him!
Comment by RachDegab
Yes, if this works (let's hope it does!) it'll be great for an immeasurable number of diseases!
RachDegab
Comment by Home Natural Remedies
Comment by RachDegab
RachDegab