Embryonic Stem Cells and Adult Stem Cells

Unlike a regular cell, which can only replicate to create more of its own kind of cell, a stem cell is pluripotent. When it divides, it can make any one of the 220 different cells in the human body. Stem cells also have the capability to self-renew -- they can reproduce themselves many times over. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from an embryo -- the mass of cells in the earliest stage of human development that, if implanted in a woman's womb, will eventually grow into a fetus.

These embryos are called blastocysts and they are pluripotent which means the embryos are able to divide into more stem cells or any other type of cell. This adaptability allows the cells to repair damaged tissues and organs. In adult stem cells, recent evidence has been discovered that the cells may be able to create new stem cells that have no relation to the original stem cell’s purpose. However, scientists first believed that adult or somatic stem cells could only produce similar type of cells. For example, bone marrow stem cells could only divide into more bone marrow cells.

Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of a developing blastocyst. ES cells are both pluripotent and self-renewing. Pluripotency refers to the ES cell’s ability to differentiate into any type of cell or tissue except cells that form a placenta or embryo (Fritsch et al., 2008; Young, 2011). Self-renewal is the process where stem cells divide to make more copies of themselves (Young, 2011). Since these cells are capable of differentiating into nearly all cell types, they serve as imperative research tools for the improved development of treatments and therapies for a vast number of diseases and conditions.

Embryonic stem cells can be taken from leftover embryos at fertility clinics or from embryos from terminated pregnancies (Freedman 10). Scientists take the stem cells from early embryos and use them to create cells found in 200 different types of tissues (Freedman 8). There are also umbilical cord stem cells that can be obtained from the blood that comes out of umbilical cords (Freedman 9). They are less mature than adult stem cells but more mature than embryonic stem cells (Freedman 10). There is a lot of research being done about stem cells today.

Stem cells are the unspecialized cells in the human body that can become specialized cells, with new specialized cell functions. An example of a stem cell is the bone marrow stem cell that is able to turn into specialized blood cells, such as white blood cells and red blood cells. The new cell types have new special functions, that can produce antibodies, combat infection and transport gases. It is called “stem cell” because one function stems from the other. Stem cells have properties of developing into a array of cell types in the body.

However, these stem cells come at a high price. A second source of stem cells is placental and umbilical cord stem cells that can differentiate into all types of blood cells. Another type of stem cells is induced pluripotent stem cells. These are old stem cells that are artificially modified into their original pluripotent state similar to that of embryonic stem cells. The last sources of stem cells discussed in this paper are adult stem cells.

They are most commonly used type are bone marrow, the spinal cord, and human induced pluripotent cells. Through research I learned what stem cells are and how they work, how a stem cell procedure works, and the ever growing controversy of the use of stem cells. Stem cells, by definition, are cells that “potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth” (Frequently Asked Questions). The most commonly used stem cells are embryonic and non-embryonic. The embryonic cells are found in from embryos that have been in vitro fertilized.

2000), embryonic stem cells are cells consequent from the early embryo that can be proliferated indeterminately in the primitive undifferentiated state while continuing pluripotent as they share these properties with embryonic germ cells. Embryonic stem cells and germ cells lines from the human blastocyst and embryonic gonad can be differentiated into multiple types of somatic cell. On the other hand, according to Thompson et al. (1998), they mentioned that “embryonic stem cells are derived from totipotent cells of the early mammalian embryo and are proficient of unlimited, undifferentiated proliferation in vitro”. It has been further scientist discovered by scientist th... ... middle of paper ... ...searchers all over the world, whether it gives more benefits or it just give disadvantages in term oh ethics and morale.

They have the capacity to construct a number of specially designed cells such as heart muscle cells, liver tissue cells, brain tissue cells, etc. Embryonic stem cells are extracted from aborted fetuses or embryos left over from in vitro fertilization. Adult stem cells are found in both children and adults. Adult stem cells can be utilized for a circumscribed number of other kinds of cells while embryonic stem cells are able to individualize into over two hundred types of cells. Embryonic stem cell research is so controversial because society is judging whether or not taking stem cells from days old embryos is immoral, or if doctors should look past the cons and do what is necessary to eventually preserve many lives.

During the first stages of a developing embryo, stem cells organize themselves into a certain order which will give rise to the multiple specialized cell types that make up the heart, lung, skin, and other tissues. In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and brain, adult stem cells are found. These stem cells are used to generate replacements for cells that are lost through normal wear and tear, injury, or disease. The benefits of stem cells can be great. They can be used to cure many debilitating diseases.