STEM CELLS

Stem cells. What are they? You might have heard about different clinical trials involving stem cells, and

you might actually know a little about them. But did you know that these tiny cells hold so much power

and so much potential. Regardless of their size these cells consist of three general properties. Firstly, they

are unspecialized, which means that they don’t have a given purpose. This leads to their second unique

property, they are able to give specialization to specific cell types. They are able to do this because they

don’t have a given purpose, so because of that, stem cells are able to become whatever the body needs at

that point in time. For example: if your body is lacking in blood cells null potent stem cells become blood

cells as they usually do. Finally, stem cells are able to divide and renew for a lengthy period of time. But

why are they able to do this? Well, unlike blood cells that do not replicate themselves, stem cells can

replicate many times this is also known as proliferation. For example: scientists in a laboratory use a

starting population of stem cells and over many weeks and months the cells proliferate and are able to

produce thousands upon millions of cells, the newly produced stem cells are unspecialized like their

parent cells. Even though these properties apply to all stem cells, they can be a little different when

applied to different types of stem cells.

These different types of stem cells come in two forms Adult stem cells and Embryonic stem cells.

According to Science Daily (2000), “Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the

body that divide to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues.” Adult stem cells are also

known as somatic cells, and contrary to popular belief, Adult stem cells can be found in both Adults and

children. Adult stem cell research is pushed by the abilities renew and divide, and regenerate different cell

types of the body part from which it originates. Scientists believe that adult stem cells can potentially

regenerate entire organs from just a few cells. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that develop

from eggs that have been fertilized in an in vitro fertilization clinic were the embryo is destructed and

donated for research purposes both medically and bio medically, however the use of embryotic stem cells

are viewed as immoral, unethical, and controversial. Unlike its counterpart Adult stem cell research is not
considered controversial because it does not require the destruction of an embryo, the can be isolated

from a tissue sample obtained from an adult. Adult stem cells are somewhat localized in several different

areas of the differentiated cells in the adult body, while the blastocyst’s inner cell mass gives rise to

embryonic stem cells. The main difference between these two stem cells is that embryonic stem cells are

pluripotent and adult stem cells are multipotent. Pluripotent means that the unspecialized stem cells are

free to become any type of cell, while multipotent means that the unspecialized stem cells can become

any type of cell EXCEPT embryonic cells. This research is truly fascinating, but would not be possible

without the stem cell sources.

What sources you may ask? Well for research to be done you must obtain the materials you need and this

case we must obtain stems from different parts of your body. Adult stem cells can be retrieved from bone

marrow. Bone marrow stem cells are used for tissue regeneration because of their revascularization

properties and their ability to support mesenchymal stem cells in the body. Fat tissue is another source of

adult stem cells as well. Fat or adipose tissue is a rich source of t-regulatory cells (modulate the immune

system) and mesenchymal stem cells. These “Adipose” cells can be used for treating irregular

inflammatory conditions and autoimmune deficiencies. While there are many ways to obtain adult stem

cells there are also ways to obtain embryonic stem cells. However, the topic of embryonic stem cells is

very controversial, seeing that it does come from an embryo. The first source of embryonic stem cells is

aborted fetuses. After the babies are aborted the mothers are allowed to choose whether or not they want

their fetus to be used in stem cell research. If they agree then the human embryos are collected and the

embryonic stem cells are harvested. Another way to obtain embryonic stem cells is by using the left over

from in vitro fertilization. In Vitro Fertilization or IVF is a complex series of procedures to aid in the

process of conception of a child. During IVF fertilized eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm in a lab.

Sometimes the left overs are used in the process of obtaining stem cells similar to the process in which

embryonic cells are collected from aborted fetuses. IVF is seen as a less controversial and unethical
method of collecting embryonic stem cells. Even though stem cells are very controversial they hold great

potential.

This potential can be seen in both medicinal and biomedical research. In biomedical research scientist at

John Hopkins are trying to figure out how stem cells can give rise to a complex body, and also the

possibility of reverting them back to stem cells. They want to use this knowledge to develop therapies for

diseases and injuries. They are working on the development of tissues that can be used for replacement

surgeries and eventually prosthesis. In biomedicine, specifically biomedical engineering scientists are

trying to find ways to influence both embryonic and adult stem cells to become any material that is

needed for medical purposes. For example: At John Hopkins Warren Grayson Ph.D. takes stem cells from

bone marrow and fat and coaxes them to become bone. Cartilage and even blood vessels. He does this by

incubating them in biosynthetic structures to give them a three dimensional surface to grow, and then

places them in bio reactors that exposes the cells to the exact environment it would have needed to

produce a specific cell type. In medicine stem cells are being used for a wide variety of procedures,

ranging anywhere heart diseases and cancer treatments, to tissue replacement. By watching stem cells

divide and how they develop, scientists are better understanding how the human body grows, matures and

functions. Stem cells today are used to treat patients with leukemia, by using the stem cells in bone

marrow to fight off cancerous cells. They are also used for blood system restoration as well. Even though

these cells are making quite an impact on the medical and biomedical world, there also challenges facing

stem cell research.

When it comes to a topic like stem cell research there are many challenges, some of these challenges

might seem trivial but all of them make it more difficult for stem cell researchers to continue their studies.

Topics such as immorality come in to play when discussing obstacles in stem cell research. As mentioned

in previous paragraphs, there is some level of controversy, unethicality and immorality. This is because

many people are against the use of aborted fetuses and remains of IVF to harvest embryonic stem cells.

Many people believe that it is even shameful to resort to such methods in the first place, especially when
Christianity is involved, the topic of embryonic stem cells raises quite an obstacle for researchers.

Another obstacle would have to involve technical hurdles, both adult and Embryonic stem cells are

difficult to control, they both present challenges. Even though they are present in adult tissue, they are not

present in large amounts, which makes them hard to find and even more difficult to harvest. Obstacles

also present themselves as legal limitations. Certain laws limit the use of embryonic stem cells in research

because of the demands of the people, who at that point in time were livid at the idea of harvesting

embryonic stem cells. Materials and cost act as huge obstacle for non-government run (private) facilities.

The materials needed for stem cells are very rare, one would need to obtain stem cells and obtain a fully

functioning laboratory, with all the necessary commodities to be able to create an efficient stem cell line.

This material does no come cheap however with different research centers investing millions upon

millions of dollars to keep their research running. Stem cell research is considered new and a lot has yet

to be discovered about them, which leads into the next challenge: The Unknown. A lot remains to be

discovered about stem cells, and breakthroughs are made every year. Scientists have a lot to develop to be

able to keep up with these discoveries. Real applications are still decades away, but if progress keeps

rising these cells that were once unspecialized will become the most important thing in the medical world.

Finally, the risks of using stem cells in medicine. While doctors have been successfully using stem cells

for certain medical treatments, there are still many advancements in place. For example: scientists are

attempting to influence stem cells to become actual vital organs and they have no idea what the risks are

as yet. They do not know if a human body would reject the organ or if it would be dysfunctional,

therefore being harmful to its human host. There are still trials being done, but scientists hope to

overcome these obstacles being thrown at them, and use the research that they have gathered to change

the medical world.

To be able to change the world however, scientists must harvest the most important thing, they must

harvest the stem cells. In a previous paragraph we discussed where the stem cells come from, now using

the sources we will explain how they are harvested. Bone marrow: bone marrow is usually harvested from
the posterior iliac crest which is located in the lower back region connected to your “tail bone” or Sacrum.

The extraction can either be an inpatient or outpatient procedure, or through aspiration from the anterior

iliac crests and sternum. The amount needed to achieve hematopoiesis -process in which blood cells are

formed- 10-155ml/kg of the recipient body weight is then extracted. Bone Marrow is used to treat patients

with Leukemia. Adipose Tissue: adipose tissue, or fat, is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes.

Adipocytes are cells that store fat. Adipose cushions and insulates the body, it also stores energy.

Concentrated adipose tissue is used when harvesting stem cells. It is created when fat is aspirated from

your body and placed in a centrifuge to create a graft composing of mesenchymal stem cells. This graph

is ready to be injected into the application cite. Adipose is used for reconstructive surgery, orthopedic

surgery, neurosurgery and even used to treat inflammatory disorders. Fetus: When fetus’ are aborted, their

embryos can be sued to harvest stem cells. A small sample of the fetus’ liver can produce stem cells that

can be harvested and influenced to split into millions of pluripotent stem cells that can be used to create

medical advancement. The liver is carefully grinded and centrifuged, and then purified liver and blood

forming stem cells are extracted. This can be used for transplants in the future. In Vitro Fertilization: Is a

series of very complex procedures that aid sterile couples in conception. A woman’s eggs are extracted

and sent to a laboratory where it is fertilized by sperm and tested to make sure that the “conception” was a

success. Discarded human embryos from IVF clinics are used as an important source of embryonic stem

cells. Harvested similar to that of the aborted fetus, IVF harvesting seems a less controversial and less

inhumane option for embryonic stem cell research. The extraction and use of stem cells is beneficial to

medical and biomedical research and is looked up on as a right step to the future for most people.

For researchers all across the globe, stem cells seem like the best option. They can be used for many

things. Stem cells are used in therapy; they play an important role in the regeneration of tissues. They

divide easily and can keep replacing dead cells. This can offer potential treatment for diabetes and heart

disease. They can also be used in drug development. Induced Pluripotent stem cells are cells that have

been specialized, but are genetically reprogrammed with use of controlled viruses. They resemble
unspecialized embryonic stem cells and new specialized cells can be grown and influenced to resemble

the diseased cell, from this then drugs can be tested against the disease to combat it. Stem cells can also

be used in prosthetics. Basically, biomedical engineers are working to create an advanced level of

prosthesis where stems cells can be used to create whole limbs. It would be more expensive in

comparison to the prosthetics we have now but it would save energy and it would not have the limitations

that present prosthetics have. Currently, the idea of stem cells aiding in the treatment of cancer has

expanded across the globe. Researchers have found that they can combat cancer by performing a stem cell

transplant. A typical transplant for cancer very high doses of chemo and radiation therapy kill cancer

cells, but also kills stem cells. Stem cells are given to replace the destroyed ones. It helps with the patient

regaining his/her strength and regulates the bone marrow count. While this paragraph sought out to

defend stem cell research, there are some people that still believe that the use of stem cells is wrong.

To some, stem cell research is wrong for many reasons. People believe using aborted fetuses or discarded

IVF embryos is a crime. They believe using the poor, innocent, lifeless being for scientific research is

cruel and sadistic. They believe that abortion and unnatural conception is wrong, and that taking

advantage of this wrong for research is even worse. Apparently to some this is considered a violation of

human rights. Some also believe that depriving a human being of their stem cells is being selfish, and also

counts as a violation of rights. Non supporters take advantage of the fact that stem cell research is not one

hundred percent reliable as yet, and claim that it could even be dangerous. How are we sure that it will

work? How are we sure that there is no risk? Another element to this argument would be the controversy

that has sprouted over the “unused” human eggs. Many believe that they too could have been used to

create life, and not used in favor of research that finds pride in using dead fetuses that never got the

chance to live. Stem cells have also been used to dabble with the different species. Some consider this a

harm to both that species and human kind. All-in-all everyone’s opinion on this topic may vary.

Personally I side with stem cell research. I believe that it is a great opportunity for science and medicine. I

disagree with the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells. It was never the researchers will to
destroy the fetus’ life. They simply saw something that had been destroyed by the hands of someone else,

and decided to created something much more amazing with their ow hands. I also believe that in the case

of discarded IVF embryos, at this point in time it cannot be known if scientists purposefully discard the

remaining embryos or if they really are unusable but, I can say that whatever the case may be those

embryos are being used to make advancements in science. While writing this research paper I was able to

deduce for myself that the use of stem cells in science is purely beneficial. While some experiments may

not always succeed, researches can be able to learn from that and perfect what needs to be perfected. Stem

cell research is marvelous and can make real advancements to some of man kinds biggest issues in the

medical and biomedical field, and I agree with this research one hundred percent. I can envision it

growing and becoming use in everyday life. envision a day where a human being finds out that they have

cancer and not being fazed because they can go to the drug store and purchase medication to stop it. That

might be a stretch, but honestly with this research anything is possible.

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