Stem Cell Research

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As the research teams of the EuroStemCell project teach in their educational short film A Stem Cell Story, there are certain stages of development while in the uterus where most of our cells stop dividing and stabilize into a specific kind of cell. They do not mutate throughout our life. These cells are referred to as specialized cells. Once they are damaged or die they cannot regenerate themselves. There is one kind of cell that never specializes during development. They are called stem cells and they are the only known cells that can renew themselves. When they are in danger of dying they can divide into two new cells. These cells are referred to as daughter cells. The parenting stem cell has a choice to make as to what kind of cells they will divide into. The new cells can be new stem cells or a new kind of specialized cell. If a stem cell divides into a new specialized cell, it can usually only be that of whatever tissue is hosting it at the moment of division. Adult stem cells can produce eight different kinds of specialized cells. Information on the Nation Institutes of Health government website teaches us that there are many benefits and possibility that can come from the research of stem cells. Studying them can help researchers understand the transformation of cells during the development inside the womb. With this we can estimate when birth defects take place thus making prevention possible. As stated on the Neostem website, “Stem cells have remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.” They are used for cell therapeutics and the advantages are many. They offer a source of renewable cells to replace the damaged or dead cells that can be cause disabilitating ... ... middle of paper ... ...dult_vs_Embryonic_S.aspx. Donald Bruce; ‘Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells.’ EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013. Goran Hermeren; Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013. John Deigan; Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013. Robertson, J. (2010). Embryo stem cell research: ten years of controversy. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(2), 191-203. doi:10.1111/j.1748-720X.2010.00479.x Dr. Farouk Mahmoud; Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013. Brian Chapman; Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013. Kristina Hug; Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. EuroStemCell. Youtube, 2013. Youtube. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

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