Stem Cell Science and Applications: Hype and Reality

GYAN PRAKASH RAI

BOTANY (HONS.)
DYAL SINGH COLLEGE

Stem Cell Science and Applications: Hype and Reality

The very word STEM CELL connotes an elixir cure. It has been part of science
fiction tales, but today it is a reality. For as long as humans exit, optimal health
continues to remain vital for a productive life. As new medical discoveries
increase and the humans become healthier, their life expectancy rises. Stem cell
research is a relatively new field that is being used to improve and lengthen
human life.
Why do stem cell debates making so much of noise? Why are stem cells so
important? Stem cell posses the potential to give rise to arise into hundreds of
different cells in the body and for this reason, stem cells are also referred to as
undifferentiated cells. They also have an ability to proliferate or replicate many
times. They can acquire the ability to treat weak immune complications such
as: Diabetes, Osteoarthritis, Alzheimers disease, Heart disease, Spinal cord
injury, Stroke, Burns, Rheumatoid arthritis.
Stem cells are obtained from two sources: embryos and adults. Embryonic stem
cells are found in three to five days old embryo, also known as blastocysts, but
obtaining this type of stem cells causes mandatory death of the embryos. This
causes concern in people. Still embryonic stem cells are preferred because they
are pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to transform into all types of body
cells except the placenta. Utilizing human embryonic stem cells, Hans R
Keirstead found that paralyzed rats could partially regain the ability to walk after
their spinal cord has been damages. This experiment has lead scientists to believe
that stem cell technology can be used to treat injuries.

Adult stem cells are found in many places of the body like such as the bone
marrow, muscle, brain, umbilical cord, adipose tissue and even inside the teeth.
Many scientists are not sure about efficacy of adult stem cell because they

typically generate those types of cell in which they reside. However, in 2006, a
Kyoto University team discovered the ability to engineer adult stem cell into
pluripotent stem cells.
India is leading from the front in stem cell research and its applications in human
welfare. In comparison to other countries, including the USA, where today no
Federal funding is available for new cell lines, India has more free rules and
regulations governing stem cell research.
The main focus behind stem cell application is to grow new tissues and organs.
In India, the incidence of blindness is high (over 10 million people). By
regeneration of corneas using stem cell we can solve this problem. Dental stem
cell research hopes to be able to regenerate teeth and dentin. The National
centre for Research, Pune, has worked on stem cell transdifferentiation into
pancreatic islets. At AIIMS and PGI Chandigarh, effort is on to treat renal
degeneration and stroke using stem cell technology. CLRI (Central Leather
Research Institute) Chennai are working on tissue engineering and nano
technology.
NIIH (National Institute of Immunohaematology) has been able to differentiate
umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells into cardiac muscles.
Why is there so much hype on stem cell research? Researching of stem cells
encompasses various advances in human wellbeing, but the question remains: is
the hype justified? What is the reality? In present time we have less information.
We are frequently not using stem cell due to social, ethical and cultural values
and these issues at present are working against stem cell research. Fears of
cloning and misuse had led to governments of almost all countries, including
India (in 2004), in banning reproductive cloning. We have also not transplanted
and regenerated more tissue or organs. So the hype or the potential of stem cell
technology has not been realized, but in future it may be reality. We have some
examples. In March, 2008, in California a two-year old boy diagnosed with
Cerebral Palsy, was successfully treated with cord blood obtained while in-utero.
In 2003, Cryo-International saved a three year old boy suffering from T-cell
lymphoma, through a cell transplant using cryo-preserved hematopoietic stem
cells from the childs younger siblings cord blood.
Above examples have shown where the real hope lies in stem cell research.
Despite certain discrepancies, research demonstrates stem cells retain the facility
to improve humans. Who wants to be troubled by the sicknesses of life? If
research proceeds, stem cell may the key to unlocking flawless health.