Seems like every woman in today's culture longs for a curvy figure complete with an ample, full bust line. Let's face it, cleavage and curves are sexy and attractive. For years, women have been trying various methods to increase their bust line measurement. Creams, exercises, injections, and implants have been tried over the decades, some with more success than others.
There has been recent advancement in the field of breast augmentation using a method involving stem cells. Stem cells are taken from a woman's fatty areas in her abdomen and thighs. They are then injected into the breasts which, after several months, have grown by at least one bra cup size.
Studies have proven successful in trials of women who have lost breast tissue due to cancer. This option is now apparently moving into the realm of cosmetic rather than reconstructive augmentation.
Traditional breast augmentation involves surgically implanting a medical device called an implant into the woman's breast. The implants are either filled with silicone or filled with a saline solution which is similar to the salty water consistency found naturally in a human body.
Incisions are made in scar hiding areas such as the armpit, underneath the drooping portion or beneath the areola area. The downside to the implants is that they may rupture or not feel as soft and natural as non-implanted tissue.
With stem cell augmentation, the result is said to be very soft and natural feeling. The downside is that while the amount of tissue is increased, it will not be tightened up or uplifted, if that is something that is necessary.
Stem cell injections are different from fat transfers. Fat transfers involve moving adipose tissue from one area to the other. Often the fat will die and be reabsorbed by the body, but the stem cells will grow new tissue over a period of months. The rejection rate for the new procedure is reportedly lower.
This method remains controversial in the United States. It has been performed with success in both Japan and Great Britain, but the U.S. has hurdles to clear regarding the regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is the governmental agency that oversees the safety of medical devices and drugs, among other things. Transferring items such as stem cells from one's own body is a tricky procedure in terms of classification and the legalities of overseeing.
If you're still waiting for the perfect new way to augment your breasts, this may be the one for you.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Leukemia For Twins and Stem Cells Solutions
Although there are no accurate data for concordance rates of leukemia in infant twins, anecdotally it seems to be exceptionally high, perhaps approaching one hundred percent that is, if one twin has it, unfortunately so will the other. If correct, this suggests that MLL gene fusion in utero has a dramatic impact, ensuring subsequent leukemia. But for children aged two to six years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the concordance rate is considerably lower at around five percent. This still represents a one hundred fold extra risk of leukemia for the twin of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia but also indicates the need for some additional postnatal event for which there is a one in twenty chance, or ninety five percent discordance. This suggests, at a minimum, a "two hit" model for the natural course of childhood leukemia.
If this model of leukemia development is correct, then, for every child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who have had a chromosome translocation, a functional leukemia fusion gene, and a covert preleukaemic clone generated in utero. This possibility has been investigated by screening unselected samples of newborn cord blood for fusion genes. About six hundred samples have been screened, and around one percent have a leukemia TELAML1 fusion gene. This one percent represents a hundred times the cumulative rate or risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, indicating that the frequency of conversion of the preleukaemic clone to overt disease is low. The real bottleneck in development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia therefore seems to be a stringent requirement for a second "hit" after birth-that is, exposure and additional chromosomal or molecular abnormality.
A key issue to resolve is what exposures or events might precipitate the chromosome breaks whose improper repair initiates or promotes childhood leukemia. Given the biological diversity of leukemia, it is highly unlikely that there is a single cause. Even for a defined biological subtype of the disease, there probably is not one cause as such but a causal mechanism. As with other cancers, this is likely to involve an interaction of exposure, exogenous or endogenous, with inherent genetic susceptibility, and chance. Epidemiological evidence suggests that ionizing radiation; certain chemicals such as benzene, viruses, and bacteria may play a part in the development of some subtypes of leukemia and lymphoma in adults and children.
Whether any of these exposures have a major role in childhood leukemia is uncertain, but large scale case control molecular epidemiological studies in Britain and the United States may provide answers. The United Kingdom children's cancer study (UKCCS) seeks to address several hypotheses on different exposures, combined with definition of biological subtypes of disease and genetic studies. It and a parallel US study have already ruled out electromagnetic fields as a major factor in leukemia aetiology.
Having stem cells extracted from the cord blood at birth and stored in a cord blood bank or a stem cells bank is a way to protect your child from future diseases.
It can be very useful as it contains hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells. The stem cells in the cord blood are mainly used to treat blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders like diabetes or leukamia.
If this model of leukemia development is correct, then, for every child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed, there should be at least twenty healthy children who have had a chromosome translocation, a functional leukemia fusion gene, and a covert preleukaemic clone generated in utero. This possibility has been investigated by screening unselected samples of newborn cord blood for fusion genes. About six hundred samples have been screened, and around one percent have a leukemia TELAML1 fusion gene. This one percent represents a hundred times the cumulative rate or risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, indicating that the frequency of conversion of the preleukaemic clone to overt disease is low. The real bottleneck in development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia therefore seems to be a stringent requirement for a second "hit" after birth-that is, exposure and additional chromosomal or molecular abnormality.
A key issue to resolve is what exposures or events might precipitate the chromosome breaks whose improper repair initiates or promotes childhood leukemia. Given the biological diversity of leukemia, it is highly unlikely that there is a single cause. Even for a defined biological subtype of the disease, there probably is not one cause as such but a causal mechanism. As with other cancers, this is likely to involve an interaction of exposure, exogenous or endogenous, with inherent genetic susceptibility, and chance. Epidemiological evidence suggests that ionizing radiation; certain chemicals such as benzene, viruses, and bacteria may play a part in the development of some subtypes of leukemia and lymphoma in adults and children.
Whether any of these exposures have a major role in childhood leukemia is uncertain, but large scale case control molecular epidemiological studies in Britain and the United States may provide answers. The United Kingdom children's cancer study (UKCCS) seeks to address several hypotheses on different exposures, combined with definition of biological subtypes of disease and genetic studies. It and a parallel US study have already ruled out electromagnetic fields as a major factor in leukemia aetiology.
Having stem cells extracted from the cord blood at birth and stored in a cord blood bank or a stem cells bank is a way to protect your child from future diseases.
It can be very useful as it contains hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells. The stem cells in the cord blood are mainly used to treat blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders like diabetes or leukamia.
Actual Embryonic Stem Cells Derived Without Killing the Embryos
When you receive the Seal you will understand the value of human life. Now (Jan 12 2008) human embryo stem cells have been produced from embryos without destroying the embryos.
In the last few months of 2007 there were breakthroughs in producing cells that were very much like human embryo stem cells (hESC) from ordinary skin cells. That was a tremendous breakthrough itself.
But hESC is still considered the "gold standard" for research and is still considered highly valuable and even necessary for research. Now thanks to this new research, it is possible to create hESC without killing embryos.
In 2006 a study showed that hESC could be derived from a single blastomere. A blastomere is the kind of cell created by the embryo in the very first week following fertilization when the embryo begins to divide.
But in that first study in 2006, many cells were taken out of each embryo so that they could not develop anymore. In this study, researchers derived five hESC lines without destroying the embryos, including one without co-culture.
Co-culture is the growth of distinct cell types in a combined culture. This meant that stem cells were needed from other embryos that ended up being destroyed. Co-culture is not a necessary part of this new procedure.
In this procedure, single blastomeres were taken out of the embryos using a process similar to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD.) PGD is a procedure whereby embryos are made free of disease before implantation.
The "biopsied" embryos were further grown until they became blastocysts and then were frozen (instead of killed.) A biopsy is the removal of cells from the embryo, and the blastocyst stage is right after the zygote stage and before the embryo is known as an "embryo."
The blastomeres were cultured with a technique that was comparable in efficiency to "whole embryo derivations" which destroy the embryos. This is important--the high level of efficiency makes it a viable procedure.
And the derived stem cell lines had the same kind of pluripotency as whole embryo derivations. Pluripotency is the ability of the stem cell to become a cell of any of the three germ layers--ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
The White House still needs to approve this new technique as a way to get stem cells without destroying the embryos. But this is a major advancement in science--a step forward for the sanctity of life.
This is a solution to the ethical problem of stem-cell research, since embryos can now "share" their life-giving cells with researchers who desperately need them, and still grow up to be healthy adults.
When you are sealed you will begin to understand the sanctity of life. You will understand how God gave Life to people in the beginning and continues to give Life to them.
Of course, the greater kind of life is spiritual Life. The life in this world is a gift from God but the spiritual Life for eternity in Heaven is the ultimate gift and much better than the short and miserable opportunity in this world.
When you are sealed God will give you new life. He will give you a second chance. And He will give you the chance to live forever with Him in Heaven when you receive the Seal.
In the last few months of 2007 there were breakthroughs in producing cells that were very much like human embryo stem cells (hESC) from ordinary skin cells. That was a tremendous breakthrough itself.
But hESC is still considered the "gold standard" for research and is still considered highly valuable and even necessary for research. Now thanks to this new research, it is possible to create hESC without killing embryos.
In 2006 a study showed that hESC could be derived from a single blastomere. A blastomere is the kind of cell created by the embryo in the very first week following fertilization when the embryo begins to divide.
But in that first study in 2006, many cells were taken out of each embryo so that they could not develop anymore. In this study, researchers derived five hESC lines without destroying the embryos, including one without co-culture.
Co-culture is the growth of distinct cell types in a combined culture. This meant that stem cells were needed from other embryos that ended up being destroyed. Co-culture is not a necessary part of this new procedure.
In this procedure, single blastomeres were taken out of the embryos using a process similar to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD.) PGD is a procedure whereby embryos are made free of disease before implantation.
The "biopsied" embryos were further grown until they became blastocysts and then were frozen (instead of killed.) A biopsy is the removal of cells from the embryo, and the blastocyst stage is right after the zygote stage and before the embryo is known as an "embryo."
The blastomeres were cultured with a technique that was comparable in efficiency to "whole embryo derivations" which destroy the embryos. This is important--the high level of efficiency makes it a viable procedure.
And the derived stem cell lines had the same kind of pluripotency as whole embryo derivations. Pluripotency is the ability of the stem cell to become a cell of any of the three germ layers--ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
The White House still needs to approve this new technique as a way to get stem cells without destroying the embryos. But this is a major advancement in science--a step forward for the sanctity of life.
This is a solution to the ethical problem of stem-cell research, since embryos can now "share" their life-giving cells with researchers who desperately need them, and still grow up to be healthy adults.
When you are sealed you will begin to understand the sanctity of life. You will understand how God gave Life to people in the beginning and continues to give Life to them.
Of course, the greater kind of life is spiritual Life. The life in this world is a gift from God but the spiritual Life for eternity in Heaven is the ultimate gift and much better than the short and miserable opportunity in this world.
When you are sealed God will give you new life. He will give you a second chance. And He will give you the chance to live forever with Him in Heaven when you receive the Seal.
Stem Cell Enhancers For Healthy Stem Cells
Stem Cell Enhancers are a natural botanical extract that assists your body by maintaining healthy stem cell physiology. It is the first of it's kind of the latest phytoceutical product category "stem cell enhancers." Stem Enhancers are a blend of two compounds extracted from cyanophyta Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). The first extract contains an L-selectin ligand, which supports the release of stem cells (CD34 cells) from bone marrow. The secondary extract, a polysaccharide-rich fraction named Migratose, contributes to the migration of stem cells out of the blood and into the tissue.
Stem Cell Enhancers aid in the release of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. This is beneficial to the body because stem cells are able to travel through the bloodstream to areas of the body where they are most crucial. Stem Cell Enhancers acts to support optimal organ and tissue function. As the body ages, numbers and quality of stem cells gradually decrease which makes the body more vulnerable to injury and other deleterious health issues. The benefits of healthy stem cell support can combat the effects of aging by making one feel stronger and more vigorous. Adult stem cells are found in bone marrow. Stem cells replace ailing or dysfunctional cells which is imperative to maintaining optimal health.
The effectiveness of Stem Cell Enhancers was established in a triple blind study. First, blood samples were taken, then volunteers were given Stem Enhance or a placebo. Another blood sample was then taken at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion of the consumables. Using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) it was determined that the consumption of Stem Enhance illicited a 25-30% increase in the number of circulating stem cells.
The benefits of healthy stem cell support includes enhancing optimal wellness and can fight effects of aging. Healthy stem cells can help you feel stronger and more vigorous as you advance into retirement years.
Let's face it, people today regardless of their age want to enjoy good health, fell and look better, and be able to do more play and hard work without tiring out to fast.
Stem Enhance is the all natural supplement that helps support the natural release of adult stem cells.
Stem Cell Enhancers aid in the release of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. This is beneficial to the body because stem cells are able to travel through the bloodstream to areas of the body where they are most crucial. Stem Cell Enhancers acts to support optimal organ and tissue function. As the body ages, numbers and quality of stem cells gradually decrease which makes the body more vulnerable to injury and other deleterious health issues. The benefits of healthy stem cell support can combat the effects of aging by making one feel stronger and more vigorous. Adult stem cells are found in bone marrow. Stem cells replace ailing or dysfunctional cells which is imperative to maintaining optimal health.
The effectiveness of Stem Cell Enhancers was established in a triple blind study. First, blood samples were taken, then volunteers were given Stem Enhance or a placebo. Another blood sample was then taken at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion of the consumables. Using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) it was determined that the consumption of Stem Enhance illicited a 25-30% increase in the number of circulating stem cells.
The benefits of healthy stem cell support includes enhancing optimal wellness and can fight effects of aging. Healthy stem cells can help you feel stronger and more vigorous as you advance into retirement years.
Let's face it, people today regardless of their age want to enjoy good health, fell and look better, and be able to do more play and hard work without tiring out to fast.
Stem Enhance is the all natural supplement that helps support the natural release of adult stem cells.
How Can Stem Cell Research Be Used to Treat Congestive Heart Failure?
The potential needs for stem cells have made it a highly available focus in medical articles today. Stem cells are the precursors to all cell in the human body, and are primarily produced in the bone marrow in adults. During times of crisis, such as when a patient suffers from leukemia, the spleen and other organs that contain stem cells during infant development will take over production. This is the body's way of preserve proper cell balances and replenishing itself as old cells die. For example, red blood cells in the circulation merely have a lifespan of approximately four months; during that time the hematopoietic stem cell in the bone marrow are continuously producing new rubriblasts, the precursor cells that will over time become mature erythrocytes.
Heart failure is a devastating blow to the human body system, and despite the best efforts of major hospitals and researchers often results in permanent organ damage and eventual death. Researchers are fighting to put a stop to the high mortality rate of congestive heart failure, and believe stem cells may be the way to do it.
There are many forms of stem cells; for the sake of following a line of investigation scientists they are currently focusing on the embryonic and adult varieties. Embryonic stem cells come from a blastocyst, a four to five day old human embryo. During gestation these pluripotent cells will displace and breed, forming the human body and internal organs of the fetus. Embryonic stem cell are highly valued for inquiries for some reasons; they are able to provide large numbers of replenishing cells and have no limitations on what form of cells they can become. The use of embryonic stem cells is highly polemical, however, due to the fact that collection often requires the destruction of the embryo.
Stems cells may also can be grown for the purpose of transplants.Ts to be had for an organ transplant are not as easily obtained as physicians would wish for, and there are often waiting lists years long for every available organ. Stem cells grow readily in a laboratory nature, and if unstimulated to differentiate will imitate pluripotent daughter cells. This results in a tissue that will in effect adapt to whatever environment it is placed in. Research scientists theorize that with the proper environment essentially grow heart tissue and transplant it to the patient who has suffered signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, replacing the dead and damaged tissues with live, vital tissue. This procedure would allow the heart to function more easily and hopefully give the patient a better chance for survival.
There are respective methods that have been published in research journals regarding the application of stem cells in the remedy of signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure failure. Congestive heart failure results when cells in the heart are dysfunctional or destroyed and the heart is unable to properly pump blood all the way through the body. Several patients are able to be treated using mechanical aids or transfer, but this is not each time the case. Several years ago a assemblage of patients with no other to be had options for treatment agreed to be part of a test analyze regarding stem cells. Autologous stem cells were taken out from the marrow and injected into the failing heart tissue through the chest wall. Patients who acknowledged this treatment showed clear progress, presumptively as a outcome of stem cell action. The microscopic means by which this occurs is still unknown; however, research scientists anticipate that the stem cell is either growing new vessels or acting as a beacon to bring other cells in to repair the damaged tissue.
With current medicine the prognosis for sufferers of congestive heart failure is grim. At least fifty percent will die within five years of being diagnosed, and individuals who are not victims of this mortality rate will feel the effects of their heart failure for the rest of their lives. Stem cell research represents at least a chance for those patients to beat these odds. With anything that is good there is also evil but in my humble opinion after much research I feel that stem cell research should continue.
Heart failure is a devastating blow to the human body system, and despite the best efforts of major hospitals and researchers often results in permanent organ damage and eventual death. Researchers are fighting to put a stop to the high mortality rate of congestive heart failure, and believe stem cells may be the way to do it.
There are many forms of stem cells; for the sake of following a line of investigation scientists they are currently focusing on the embryonic and adult varieties. Embryonic stem cells come from a blastocyst, a four to five day old human embryo. During gestation these pluripotent cells will displace and breed, forming the human body and internal organs of the fetus. Embryonic stem cell are highly valued for inquiries for some reasons; they are able to provide large numbers of replenishing cells and have no limitations on what form of cells they can become. The use of embryonic stem cells is highly polemical, however, due to the fact that collection often requires the destruction of the embryo.
Stems cells may also can be grown for the purpose of transplants.Ts to be had for an organ transplant are not as easily obtained as physicians would wish for, and there are often waiting lists years long for every available organ. Stem cells grow readily in a laboratory nature, and if unstimulated to differentiate will imitate pluripotent daughter cells. This results in a tissue that will in effect adapt to whatever environment it is placed in. Research scientists theorize that with the proper environment essentially grow heart tissue and transplant it to the patient who has suffered signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, replacing the dead and damaged tissues with live, vital tissue. This procedure would allow the heart to function more easily and hopefully give the patient a better chance for survival.
There are respective methods that have been published in research journals regarding the application of stem cells in the remedy of signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure failure. Congestive heart failure results when cells in the heart are dysfunctional or destroyed and the heart is unable to properly pump blood all the way through the body. Several patients are able to be treated using mechanical aids or transfer, but this is not each time the case. Several years ago a assemblage of patients with no other to be had options for treatment agreed to be part of a test analyze regarding stem cells. Autologous stem cells were taken out from the marrow and injected into the failing heart tissue through the chest wall. Patients who acknowledged this treatment showed clear progress, presumptively as a outcome of stem cell action. The microscopic means by which this occurs is still unknown; however, research scientists anticipate that the stem cell is either growing new vessels or acting as a beacon to bring other cells in to repair the damaged tissue.
With current medicine the prognosis for sufferers of congestive heart failure is grim. At least fifty percent will die within five years of being diagnosed, and individuals who are not victims of this mortality rate will feel the effects of their heart failure for the rest of their lives. Stem cell research represents at least a chance for those patients to beat these odds. With anything that is good there is also evil but in my humble opinion after much research I feel that stem cell research should continue.
Taking a Look at the Controversy Behind Stem Cell Research
Several studies have indicated that the human body may have regenerative properties if given the right circumstances. For example, a child under ten years old may be able to regrow a lost fingertip if the wounds aren't stitched up to prevent the regrowth.
If the membrane surrounding one's rib is left intact, a damaged rib can regenerate. Scientists also speculate that livers and kidneys have some regenerative abilities as well. To further study this realm of science, we must rely on stem cell research. However, there is much stem cell controversy blocking the path to enlightenment.
In an embryo that is just three days old, stem cells are found that will later transform into the heart, lungs, skin, tissues, bone marrow, muscle and brain. Advocates of stem cell research believe that there may be a way to generate replacement cells for parts of the body lost through injury, disease or aging. What makes stemcells different than blood, muscle or nerve cells is their innate ability to replicate for months in a laboratory setting. Scientists are hopeful about the potential for long term rejuvenation using these self-renewing human stem cells.
In addition to embryonic research, there is also adult stem cell research being done. Undifferentiated adult stem cells are found amid similar cells and they exist to repair damaged tissue. Scientists are examining where adult stem cells are naturally found in the body, as well as which factors control the differentiation and proliferation of these stem cells. Stem cells can be harvested easily from the adult human body and this branch of research does not involve the destruction of a human embryo, so there is much less stem cell controversy surrounding adult cells.
While stem cell research has been full of controversy in America, other nations, notably Iran, have nothing against stem cell research at all. "Policies that may be classified as liberal in the American political system seem to be common sense to Iranian politicians," explains Hassan Ashktorab of the Howard University Cancer Center in Washington, DC. While George W. Bush banned research on fetal stem cells, Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei embraced the modern science. While human cloning is still condemned in Iranian culture, they believe it is their duty to do their best to prevent illness and protect human life.
If the membrane surrounding one's rib is left intact, a damaged rib can regenerate. Scientists also speculate that livers and kidneys have some regenerative abilities as well. To further study this realm of science, we must rely on stem cell research. However, there is much stem cell controversy blocking the path to enlightenment.
In an embryo that is just three days old, stem cells are found that will later transform into the heart, lungs, skin, tissues, bone marrow, muscle and brain. Advocates of stem cell research believe that there may be a way to generate replacement cells for parts of the body lost through injury, disease or aging. What makes stemcells different than blood, muscle or nerve cells is their innate ability to replicate for months in a laboratory setting. Scientists are hopeful about the potential for long term rejuvenation using these self-renewing human stem cells.
In addition to embryonic research, there is also adult stem cell research being done. Undifferentiated adult stem cells are found amid similar cells and they exist to repair damaged tissue. Scientists are examining where adult stem cells are naturally found in the body, as well as which factors control the differentiation and proliferation of these stem cells. Stem cells can be harvested easily from the adult human body and this branch of research does not involve the destruction of a human embryo, so there is much less stem cell controversy surrounding adult cells.
While stem cell research has been full of controversy in America, other nations, notably Iran, have nothing against stem cell research at all. "Policies that may be classified as liberal in the American political system seem to be common sense to Iranian politicians," explains Hassan Ashktorab of the Howard University Cancer Center in Washington, DC. While George W. Bush banned research on fetal stem cells, Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei embraced the modern science. While human cloning is still condemned in Iranian culture, they believe it is their duty to do their best to prevent illness and protect human life.
Helping You Research Stem Cells Online
Imagine a world where a new liver or kidney can be grown from your own stemcells in a Petri dish and then transplanted into your body. A knee injury, a burn or a damaged heart can be fixed with a patch that regroups with surrounding tissues and repairs itself.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's would become a thing of the past, as fresh stem cells work diligently to make new connections in the brain. Imagine a world where stem cells can be implanted into spinal cords or eyes to restore full functioning in the disabled. This world is not so distant, given recent advances. There are a number of places where you can research stem cell treatments.
One place to do some research on stem cells is the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Despite former President Bush's ban on federal stem cell research funding, the rogue Californians approved a 2004 ballot initiative (Proposition 71) that set aside state funds for just that purpose.
As a result, $3 billion was appropriated to California research facilities, making the state an epicenter of stem cell news. On their site, you might like to read their comprehensive annual report, which reads much more like a magazine than a lofty scientific publication. You can read about awards, its therapy treatments, studies and stem cell research facilities at Cirm web site.
Another great place to research stem cells is Medical News Today (at Medicalnewstoday). Here you'll read the latest articles on this topic news adapted from press releases, reports, newspaper articles and medical journals. You can sign up for daily or weekly newsletters to keep you abreast of all trials, treatments and research being conducted. You can watch a Youtube video titled "Everything You Wanted To Know About Stem Cells." You can learn all about "What Are Stem Cells," in addition to looking up current news on this comprehensive site.
With the new allocation of federal stem cell research funding, a number of facilities across the country will be receiving money to research stem cell therapies. For instance, the University of Buffalo will receive $4.9 million for human stem cell research. The University of California at Irvine will receive $27.2 million to build a new research facility and the University of San Diego will get $2.8 million to improve their current facilities. It may take another 10 years to produce a widely recommended cure, but research has been promising.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's would become a thing of the past, as fresh stem cells work diligently to make new connections in the brain. Imagine a world where stem cells can be implanted into spinal cords or eyes to restore full functioning in the disabled. This world is not so distant, given recent advances. There are a number of places where you can research stem cell treatments.
One place to do some research on stem cells is the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Despite former President Bush's ban on federal stem cell research funding, the rogue Californians approved a 2004 ballot initiative (Proposition 71) that set aside state funds for just that purpose.
As a result, $3 billion was appropriated to California research facilities, making the state an epicenter of stem cell news. On their site, you might like to read their comprehensive annual report, which reads much more like a magazine than a lofty scientific publication. You can read about awards, its therapy treatments, studies and stem cell research facilities at Cirm web site.
Another great place to research stem cells is Medical News Today (at Medicalnewstoday). Here you'll read the latest articles on this topic news adapted from press releases, reports, newspaper articles and medical journals. You can sign up for daily or weekly newsletters to keep you abreast of all trials, treatments and research being conducted. You can watch a Youtube video titled "Everything You Wanted To Know About Stem Cells." You can learn all about "What Are Stem Cells," in addition to looking up current news on this comprehensive site.
With the new allocation of federal stem cell research funding, a number of facilities across the country will be receiving money to research stem cell therapies. For instance, the University of Buffalo will receive $4.9 million for human stem cell research. The University of California at Irvine will receive $27.2 million to build a new research facility and the University of San Diego will get $2.8 million to improve their current facilities. It may take another 10 years to produce a widely recommended cure, but research has been promising.
Where is Regenerative Medicine Heading?
"When we know, in effect, what our cells know, health care will be revolutionized, giving birth to regenerative medicine - ultimately including the prolongation of life by regenerating our aging bodies with younger cells," Dr. William Haseltine, CEO of Human Genome Sciences Inc., told the New York Times in a November 2000 article. He added that by learning the cell's language and chemical processes that turn on/off cell repair, we can in essence connect with our internal fountain of youth. That's not all stem cells research, nanotechnology and regenerative medicine can do though.
Regenerative medicine has great potential to help patients suffering from severe injuries and lost limbs. Take Lee Spievack, for instance. He sliced off his fingertip while working with a hobby shop airplane propeller. His brother happened to be a medical researcher and instructed him to apply a special powder to his wound.
After four weeks, Spievack's entire fingertip had grown back; the skin, nail, blood vessels and all! The powder was made from the extracellular matrix of a pig bladder containing proteins, connective tissues and stem cells. "It tells the body, start that process of tissue regrowth," explains Dr. Steven Badylak of the University of Pittsburgh. Theoretically, if a person can regrow a body part, they can even regrow a missing limb, he added.
Another focus of regenerative medicine is to replace ailing body parts in a more natural way, using adult stem cell research as a springboard. "The cells have all the genetic information necessary to make new tissue," says Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute explained. "That's what they are programmed to do.
So your heart cells are programmed to make more heart tissue, your bladder cells are programmed to make more bladder cells." Clinical trials are already underway that involve creating a patch of bladder cells or kidney cells or liver cells that may work with surrounding tissue to become a fully functioning transplant. Rather than go through the trouble of finding qualified donors, scientists will one day be able to grow organs from one's own cells or stimulate the cells to repair the tissue internally.
Much of the progress being made in regenerative medicine involves studying animals that possess this asset. For instance, salamanders can regrow tails or lost limbs. Most stem cells research suggests that mammals have the ability to regenerate skin, bone and liver, but cannot regenerate entire limbs on their own. If scientists can harness regenerative capabilities, then the life span of humans can be extended indefinitely and new ways to reverse the effects of aging will be uncovered.
Regenerative medicine has great potential to help patients suffering from severe injuries and lost limbs. Take Lee Spievack, for instance. He sliced off his fingertip while working with a hobby shop airplane propeller. His brother happened to be a medical researcher and instructed him to apply a special powder to his wound.
After four weeks, Spievack's entire fingertip had grown back; the skin, nail, blood vessels and all! The powder was made from the extracellular matrix of a pig bladder containing proteins, connective tissues and stem cells. "It tells the body, start that process of tissue regrowth," explains Dr. Steven Badylak of the University of Pittsburgh. Theoretically, if a person can regrow a body part, they can even regrow a missing limb, he added.
Another focus of regenerative medicine is to replace ailing body parts in a more natural way, using adult stem cell research as a springboard. "The cells have all the genetic information necessary to make new tissue," says Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute explained. "That's what they are programmed to do.
So your heart cells are programmed to make more heart tissue, your bladder cells are programmed to make more bladder cells." Clinical trials are already underway that involve creating a patch of bladder cells or kidney cells or liver cells that may work with surrounding tissue to become a fully functioning transplant. Rather than go through the trouble of finding qualified donors, scientists will one day be able to grow organs from one's own cells or stimulate the cells to repair the tissue internally.
Much of the progress being made in regenerative medicine involves studying animals that possess this asset. For instance, salamanders can regrow tails or lost limbs. Most stem cells research suggests that mammals have the ability to regenerate skin, bone and liver, but cannot regenerate entire limbs on their own. If scientists can harness regenerative capabilities, then the life span of humans can be extended indefinitely and new ways to reverse the effects of aging will be uncovered.
The Pros and Cons of Adult Stem Cells
Years ago, scientists became intensely interested in the inner-workings of embryonic stem cells. At just three to five days old, this mass of protean cells were a blank canvas, yet under normal circumstances, these cells would develop into tissues, organs and more than 200 other body parts. Early animal and human stem cell research focused on cells taken from extra embryos frozen at in vitro fertilization labs. More recently, it's been discovered that adult stem cells can also be versatile under the right circumstances.
There are some advantages to using adult stem cells over embryo-derived ones. For one, adult cells are easier to harvest, as they can come from skin, muscle, bone marrow and fat. Often those treated with their own stem cells will not suffer immune system rejection.
It's also easier to encourage these already specialized cells to differentiate the way the scientists want them to, which is impressive considering they're still not 100% sure what causes a cell to become a certain organ or tissue. Lastly, donated adult stem cells clear up the stem cell controversy surrounding the destruction of human embryos in the name of science.
Mice are not people. We know this. Even so, it's hard not be excited that the first mouse has successfully regrown muscles and regenerated damaged tissue thanks to adult stem cells. Researchers from the University of New South Wales say the mice were given a gene making them resistant to chemotherapy, which clears out damaged cells and encourages new ones to take hold. "What has been the realm of science fiction is looking more and more like the medicine of the future," said Peter Gunning, one of the study's co-authors.
What moral grounds are scientists subject to adhere to? This is one of the controversies surrounding adult stem cells. Once techniques for creating a new stem cell are in place, who's to say the scientist won't fall naturally into therapeutic cloning or even human cloning? If a human can regrow a limb like a salamander, will there be some so curious as to create a human-animal hybrid? Is there a danger in manipulating germs, diseases and mutagens in Petri dishes that could lead to more resistant strains? Will researchers exercise enough patience to ensure the long-term safety of their products containing human stem cells? Can our earth sustain a population that can live even longer and regenerate? To what extent are we playing God?
There are some advantages to using adult stem cells over embryo-derived ones. For one, adult cells are easier to harvest, as they can come from skin, muscle, bone marrow and fat. Often those treated with their own stem cells will not suffer immune system rejection.
It's also easier to encourage these already specialized cells to differentiate the way the scientists want them to, which is impressive considering they're still not 100% sure what causes a cell to become a certain organ or tissue. Lastly, donated adult stem cells clear up the stem cell controversy surrounding the destruction of human embryos in the name of science.
Mice are not people. We know this. Even so, it's hard not be excited that the first mouse has successfully regrown muscles and regenerated damaged tissue thanks to adult stem cells. Researchers from the University of New South Wales say the mice were given a gene making them resistant to chemotherapy, which clears out damaged cells and encourages new ones to take hold. "What has been the realm of science fiction is looking more and more like the medicine of the future," said Peter Gunning, one of the study's co-authors.
What moral grounds are scientists subject to adhere to? This is one of the controversies surrounding adult stem cells. Once techniques for creating a new stem cell are in place, who's to say the scientist won't fall naturally into therapeutic cloning or even human cloning? If a human can regrow a limb like a salamander, will there be some so curious as to create a human-animal hybrid? Is there a danger in manipulating germs, diseases and mutagens in Petri dishes that could lead to more resistant strains? Will researchers exercise enough patience to ensure the long-term safety of their products containing human stem cells? Can our earth sustain a population that can live even longer and regenerate? To what extent are we playing God?
What You Should Know About Adult Stem Cells
Adult stem cell research has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past decade. What was once viewed as inflexible, unable to proliferate and set in its ways has now been found to revert back to its earlier state. New evidence suggests that taking an adult stem cell from bone marrow or the spinal cord can become a blank slate like fetal stem cells, rather than possessing the sole ability to produce more bone marrow or more spinal cord tissue only. As a result of this finding, scientists hope to create more effective treatments for a wide range of degenerative diseases and disabling injuries.
The adult one shares two characteristics with the fetal stem cell. They can both replicate to create identical copies of themselves for extended periods of time, thus are self-renewing. Additionally, they can morph into other cell types and perform specialized functions. While it was previously believed that adult stem cells were set in their ways and committed to becoming a particular cell type, it's recently been discovered that they are, in fact, much more flexible than was ever imagined.
One of the most exciting adult stem cell discoveries occurred in 2008 when researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California coaxed mouse brain stemcells to differentiate into support cells and function with the surrounding neuronal network. When pampered in a Petri dish, scientists found that they could encourage oligodendrocyte cells to form the fatty myelin sheath that speeds up the transfer of electrical signals along the axons.
They could also stimulate cellular growth in the hippocampus; the brain's center for memories and learning. Scientists hope this research can provide a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, stroke and epilepsy.
There are a few challenges to working with the adult stem cell. If used outside the body, scientists must take great care to ensure the culture is 100% germ-free and pure. In many studies using mice, the cultures have been only 80% pure. As an organism ages, there are a number of factors that could jeopardize the purity of the stem cell sample, such as exposure to toxins, disease or DNA errors, for instance.
Great care must also be taken to ensure that cells replicate as needed and don't go crazy to form cancerous tumors. Since the immune system is trained to attack any foreign invaders, any stem cell transplants may be subject to intense scrutiny, even if it is derived from one's own cells. Despite these challenges, there is much to be excited about in the field of adult stem cell research.
The adult one shares two characteristics with the fetal stem cell. They can both replicate to create identical copies of themselves for extended periods of time, thus are self-renewing. Additionally, they can morph into other cell types and perform specialized functions. While it was previously believed that adult stem cells were set in their ways and committed to becoming a particular cell type, it's recently been discovered that they are, in fact, much more flexible than was ever imagined.
One of the most exciting adult stem cell discoveries occurred in 2008 when researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California coaxed mouse brain stemcells to differentiate into support cells and function with the surrounding neuronal network. When pampered in a Petri dish, scientists found that they could encourage oligodendrocyte cells to form the fatty myelin sheath that speeds up the transfer of electrical signals along the axons.
They could also stimulate cellular growth in the hippocampus; the brain's center for memories and learning. Scientists hope this research can provide a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, stroke and epilepsy.
There are a few challenges to working with the adult stem cell. If used outside the body, scientists must take great care to ensure the culture is 100% germ-free and pure. In many studies using mice, the cultures have been only 80% pure. As an organism ages, there are a number of factors that could jeopardize the purity of the stem cell sample, such as exposure to toxins, disease or DNA errors, for instance.
Great care must also be taken to ensure that cells replicate as needed and don't go crazy to form cancerous tumors. Since the immune system is trained to attack any foreign invaders, any stem cell transplants may be subject to intense scrutiny, even if it is derived from one's own cells. Despite these challenges, there is much to be excited about in the field of adult stem cell research.
Natural Stem Cell Enhancers - an Exciting New Paradigm in Health
For many years now, research involving stem cells has been all over the news headlines... for a good reason.
According to the U.S. government's National Institutes for Health (NIH), "Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell."
This revelation has opened up huge opportunities in the stem cell research arena, creating a major frenzy among medical researchers. After all, the number of potential health benefits provided by cells that can become different types of cells when needed is only limited by the size of one's imagination!
The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial on many levels. But what most people don't realize is that during recent years, the scientific community's intense interest in the potential benefits of stem cells has led to many exciting discoveries in a closely related area - that of adult stem cell function.
Under no circumstances should adult stem cells be confused with embryonic stem cells -they are entirely different.
Embryonic stem cells develop in the embryo from a ball of cells (called a "blastula") into the many different types of cells - liver, heart, lung, eye, skin, etc. - that make up a newborn. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are continually produced after you are born, circulating in the bloodstream and fueling your body's natural renewal system.
Medical researchers, whose focus is on what to do AFTER someone begins to have health challenges, are working feverishly to overcome the many problems inherent in stem cell transplants, such as the issue of immune rejection.
However recent scientific data shows that greater numbers of the body's OWN circulating adult stem cells equate to greater health and wellness. And, based on the significant results of a double-blind peer reviewed clinical study, a momentous breakthrough has now been made in this area.
In essence, the study showed that by simply adding 2 capsules a day of a patented concentrate of an aqua-botanical known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) to the diet, the number of circulating stem cells was increased by an average of 25%. The health implications of this study are huge, and for those who help get this AFA concentrate into the marketplace the financial potential is extraordinary.
According to the U.S. government's National Institutes for Health (NIH), "Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell."
This revelation has opened up huge opportunities in the stem cell research arena, creating a major frenzy among medical researchers. After all, the number of potential health benefits provided by cells that can become different types of cells when needed is only limited by the size of one's imagination!
The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial on many levels. But what most people don't realize is that during recent years, the scientific community's intense interest in the potential benefits of stem cells has led to many exciting discoveries in a closely related area - that of adult stem cell function.
Under no circumstances should adult stem cells be confused with embryonic stem cells -they are entirely different.
Embryonic stem cells develop in the embryo from a ball of cells (called a "blastula") into the many different types of cells - liver, heart, lung, eye, skin, etc. - that make up a newborn. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are continually produced after you are born, circulating in the bloodstream and fueling your body's natural renewal system.
Medical researchers, whose focus is on what to do AFTER someone begins to have health challenges, are working feverishly to overcome the many problems inherent in stem cell transplants, such as the issue of immune rejection.
However recent scientific data shows that greater numbers of the body's OWN circulating adult stem cells equate to greater health and wellness. And, based on the significant results of a double-blind peer reviewed clinical study, a momentous breakthrough has now been made in this area.
In essence, the study showed that by simply adding 2 capsules a day of a patented concentrate of an aqua-botanical known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) to the diet, the number of circulating stem cells was increased by an average of 25%. The health implications of this study are huge, and for those who help get this AFA concentrate into the marketplace the financial potential is extraordinary.
StemEnhance, Stemulite, Stem Cell Enhancers - Where's the Beef?
The National Institutes of Health has a whole subdomain dedicated to stem cells and stem cell research. It is well worth reading up on exactly what are stem cells and other frequently asked questions. The site is set up to be understood by the lay person, but true to current scientific knowledge. The medical possibilities are many, and the scientific interest is great.
Your body maintains a certain balance at all times. One of the many balances is in your bone marrow. A stock of stem cells in your bone marrow, called hematopoietic stem cells, receives biochemical signals from your body about what blood cells are needed at any given time. A cut in your finger is fighting off a bacterial infection? Your body signals your bone marrow to produce more granulocytic cells such as neutrophils. Fighting off a virus? Your body sends in the "go" to make more lymphocytes. The total life cycle of most blood cells is on the order of weeks, so you must continuously make more.
This balance is amazingly beautiful, "natural", and outstandingly important to your health. One of the most important aspects of your immune system is your blood. The balance between different blood cells gives your body the edge it needs to stay healthy.
In normal healthy individuals, the amount of stem cells circulating in the peripheral blood is very, very small.
Is more of a good thing better?
There are currently on the market products called "stem cell enhancers" that can show with laboratory results that they will increase your circulating stem cells. The results are indeed published that these chemicals (by the time they are extracted from the original natural source, they really are just chemicals) increase the amount of stem cells circulating in your blood stream.
The question remains whether it's a good thing to have this happen.
During diagnosis of many illnesses of the blood, one of the things that a doctor looks at is how many of what kind of blood cell is circulating in the peripheral blood, and how many of what kind are in the bone marrow. Imbalances beyond certain norms are considered warning signs at least, diagnostic markers for illness at most.
Current scientific research is inconclusive about exactly what adult stem cells do when released into the peripheral blood stream. There is great interest in whether these cells can be somehow drawn to areas of the body that are in need of cellular regeneration, such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and muscles. There is still not enough evidence for anyone to be able to say that circulating stem cells can migrate to where you would like them, or even where you may need them. There are cases for such a view, as well as cases against. The cold hard fact is that there is just not enough data at this time to draw conclusions.
On the other side of the inconclusive coin, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that stem cells can contribute to tumor growth in certain cases. This alone should tell you to speak with a well trained health care professional before taking "stem cell enhancer" products.
To sum, yes, the products mentioned will indeed cause your bone marrow to spit out stem cells into your peripheral blood system. It remains medically and scientifically unclear as to whether this is a good thing for your body at all.
Sources:
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
PubMed Abstract of 'Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Minireview.'
Xiong-Zhi W, Dan C, Guang-Ru X. Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Neoplasma. 2007;54(1):1-6.
Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation
Takakura, N. Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation. Cancer Sci. 2006 Jul;97(7):568-74.
Stem Cells and Neurogenesis in Tumors
Varner J, Zänker KS, Entschladen F (eds): Neuronal Activity in Tumor Tissue. Prog Exp Tumor Res. Basel, Karger, 2007, vol 39, pp 122-129
About the author:
Samantha Rangen writes about home health issues. She has a BA in chemistry and has worked as a research technician for over 20 years in biochemistry, genetics, biochemistry, and cancer research.
Your body maintains a certain balance at all times. One of the many balances is in your bone marrow. A stock of stem cells in your bone marrow, called hematopoietic stem cells, receives biochemical signals from your body about what blood cells are needed at any given time. A cut in your finger is fighting off a bacterial infection? Your body signals your bone marrow to produce more granulocytic cells such as neutrophils. Fighting off a virus? Your body sends in the "go" to make more lymphocytes. The total life cycle of most blood cells is on the order of weeks, so you must continuously make more.
This balance is amazingly beautiful, "natural", and outstandingly important to your health. One of the most important aspects of your immune system is your blood. The balance between different blood cells gives your body the edge it needs to stay healthy.
In normal healthy individuals, the amount of stem cells circulating in the peripheral blood is very, very small.
Is more of a good thing better?
There are currently on the market products called "stem cell enhancers" that can show with laboratory results that they will increase your circulating stem cells. The results are indeed published that these chemicals (by the time they are extracted from the original natural source, they really are just chemicals) increase the amount of stem cells circulating in your blood stream.
The question remains whether it's a good thing to have this happen.
During diagnosis of many illnesses of the blood, one of the things that a doctor looks at is how many of what kind of blood cell is circulating in the peripheral blood, and how many of what kind are in the bone marrow. Imbalances beyond certain norms are considered warning signs at least, diagnostic markers for illness at most.
Current scientific research is inconclusive about exactly what adult stem cells do when released into the peripheral blood stream. There is great interest in whether these cells can be somehow drawn to areas of the body that are in need of cellular regeneration, such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and muscles. There is still not enough evidence for anyone to be able to say that circulating stem cells can migrate to where you would like them, or even where you may need them. There are cases for such a view, as well as cases against. The cold hard fact is that there is just not enough data at this time to draw conclusions.
On the other side of the inconclusive coin, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that stem cells can contribute to tumor growth in certain cases. This alone should tell you to speak with a well trained health care professional before taking "stem cell enhancer" products.
To sum, yes, the products mentioned will indeed cause your bone marrow to spit out stem cells into your peripheral blood system. It remains medically and scientifically unclear as to whether this is a good thing for your body at all.
Sources:
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
PubMed Abstract of 'Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Minireview.'
Xiong-Zhi W, Dan C, Guang-Ru X. Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Neoplasma. 2007;54(1):1-6.
Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation
Takakura, N. Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation. Cancer Sci. 2006 Jul;97(7):568-74.
Stem Cells and Neurogenesis in Tumors
Varner J, Zänker KS, Entschladen F (eds): Neuronal Activity in Tumor Tissue. Prog Exp Tumor Res. Basel, Karger, 2007, vol 39, pp 122-129
About the author:
Samantha Rangen writes about home health issues. She has a BA in chemistry and has worked as a research technician for over 20 years in biochemistry, genetics, biochemistry, and cancer research.
Stem Cells: The Fountain of Youth
What are stem cells?
How are stem cells obtained?
What other potential stem cell sources are there?
Why are we and special groups interested in stem cells?
What are the goals of stem cell research?
How will stem cells affect our future?
If you are deeply interested in stem cells for the first time and want to go beyond this article, go to the National Institute site and read their very comprehensive list of frequently answered questions (FAQs). The URL is http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.asp.
If you are deeply interested in stem cell research, go to: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/.
What are stem cells?
The question should be phrased in terms of embryonic stem cells because that is what we are talking about here.
A human embryo is obtained when a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm. This occurs in the human body but it can also be done in a laboratory. The procedure is often used in cases of infertility.
I have three grandchildren formed in this way. Their mother donated eggs, their father donated sperm, and the technicians watched the fertilization take place under a microscope. The fertilized eggs were placed in the mother and she gave birth to triplets.
If embryos formed in this way are not placed in the mother they can be and are used for medical research. Often extra fertilized eggs are produced during this process. Scientist would like to harvest these extra eggs rather than discard them. They could then use them to obtain stem cells.
Stem cells are never obtained from fertilized eggs that reside in a woman’s body.
The embryos obtained after they are a few days old are in the form of a mass of cells called a blastocyst; the embryo of about 150 cells. The blastocyst consists of a sphere made up of an outer layer of cells (the trophectoderm), a fluid-filled cavity (the blastocoel), and a cluster of cells on the interior (the inner cell mass).
How are stem cells obtained?
Cell cultures are grown in the laboratory by transferring the inner cell mass of about 30 cells into a culture dish which has a nutrient broth. The cells quickly multiply and fill the dish. They are then transferred to other culture dishes and the process goes on for months.
Once the cells are obtained they can be frozen and shipped to other laboratories.
What other potential stem cell sources are there?
Adult stem cells are a potential source. They can be used to reproduce cell of their type. That is, while embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell, adult stem cells can only reproduce cells of their type. If they are muscle cells, they can be used to reproduce only muscle cells. However, recent work has indicated that some adult stem cells may be able to differentiate into other cell types.
Why are we and special groups interested in stem cells?
Because stem cells can differentiate, that is, can be used to reproduce other cell types, they have tremendous potential for solving many human health problems.
Some groups do not want scientist to take human embryos for research in any way whatsoever. Because of this, President Bush restricted stem cell research to existing stem cell sources. Other governments have stayed out of the research arena and stem cells are collected at the whims of the scientist.
Scientists argue that excess stem cells are produced in fertility clinics and that they should be used to benefit mankind.
So, what do you think?
What are the goals of stem cell research?
First, scientists want to understand differentiation. We all know that the human embryo creates all the cell types in the human body. Scientists want to know how and when genes turn on and off to create a particular cell type. Abnormal cell divisions cause birth defects and cancer. Scientists want to know what signals a change in the process of cell development. This could lead to cures for cancer and birth defects.
Stem cells could be used to test new drugs rather than human guinea pigs and animals. Damage to the stem cells would eliminate the drug before it could do damage in the market place, as so many drugs do now.
I would like to quote http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics6.asp directly at this point: Perhaps the most important potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for Cell-based therapies—treatment in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required to repair damaged or depleted adult cell populations or tissues.
Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace ailing or destroyed tissue, but the need for transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. Stem cells, directed to differentiate into specific cell types, offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How are stem cells obtained?
What other potential stem cell sources are there?
Why are we and special groups interested in stem cells?
What are the goals of stem cell research?
How will stem cells affect our future?
If you are deeply interested in stem cells for the first time and want to go beyond this article, go to the National Institute site and read their very comprehensive list of frequently answered questions (FAQs). The URL is http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.asp.
If you are deeply interested in stem cell research, go to: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/.
What are stem cells?
The question should be phrased in terms of embryonic stem cells because that is what we are talking about here.
A human embryo is obtained when a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm. This occurs in the human body but it can also be done in a laboratory. The procedure is often used in cases of infertility.
I have three grandchildren formed in this way. Their mother donated eggs, their father donated sperm, and the technicians watched the fertilization take place under a microscope. The fertilized eggs were placed in the mother and she gave birth to triplets.
If embryos formed in this way are not placed in the mother they can be and are used for medical research. Often extra fertilized eggs are produced during this process. Scientist would like to harvest these extra eggs rather than discard them. They could then use them to obtain stem cells.
Stem cells are never obtained from fertilized eggs that reside in a woman’s body.
The embryos obtained after they are a few days old are in the form of a mass of cells called a blastocyst; the embryo of about 150 cells. The blastocyst consists of a sphere made up of an outer layer of cells (the trophectoderm), a fluid-filled cavity (the blastocoel), and a cluster of cells on the interior (the inner cell mass).
How are stem cells obtained?
Cell cultures are grown in the laboratory by transferring the inner cell mass of about 30 cells into a culture dish which has a nutrient broth. The cells quickly multiply and fill the dish. They are then transferred to other culture dishes and the process goes on for months.
Once the cells are obtained they can be frozen and shipped to other laboratories.
What other potential stem cell sources are there?
Adult stem cells are a potential source. They can be used to reproduce cell of their type. That is, while embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cell, adult stem cells can only reproduce cells of their type. If they are muscle cells, they can be used to reproduce only muscle cells. However, recent work has indicated that some adult stem cells may be able to differentiate into other cell types.
Why are we and special groups interested in stem cells?
Because stem cells can differentiate, that is, can be used to reproduce other cell types, they have tremendous potential for solving many human health problems.
Some groups do not want scientist to take human embryos for research in any way whatsoever. Because of this, President Bush restricted stem cell research to existing stem cell sources. Other governments have stayed out of the research arena and stem cells are collected at the whims of the scientist.
Scientists argue that excess stem cells are produced in fertility clinics and that they should be used to benefit mankind.
So, what do you think?
What are the goals of stem cell research?
First, scientists want to understand differentiation. We all know that the human embryo creates all the cell types in the human body. Scientists want to know how and when genes turn on and off to create a particular cell type. Abnormal cell divisions cause birth defects and cancer. Scientists want to know what signals a change in the process of cell development. This could lead to cures for cancer and birth defects.
Stem cells could be used to test new drugs rather than human guinea pigs and animals. Damage to the stem cells would eliminate the drug before it could do damage in the market place, as so many drugs do now.
I would like to quote http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics6.asp directly at this point: Perhaps the most important potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for Cell-based therapies—treatment in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required to repair damaged or depleted adult cell populations or tissues.
Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace ailing or destroyed tissue, but the need for transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. Stem cells, directed to differentiate into specific cell types, offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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