Stem Cell Research Essay

Troy Oliver
Machalak
English 12
24 April 2014
Stem Cell Research
Stem cells are not a brand new discovery, but in recent years, there have been many advances in stem cell research. We are steadily learning more and more about stem cells, and becoming capable of better and more complex things with them. Stem cells are cells with the ability to divide and differentiate into more specialized cell types. They can give rise to any other type of cell in the body, but there are many different kinds of stem cells, and some can only become a certain set of cell varieties. Those that can become all cells are called totipotent, while those that can become nearly any cell (with the exception of cells that form the embryo/placenta) are called pluripotent. In addition, those that can only become some cells are multipotent. Finally, those that can only become one type of cell are unipotent. Stem cells, especially pluripotent stem cells, carry an enormous amount of promise, but they are not a miracle cure, and there are limitations and risks everyone must be aware of to use them safely and responsibly. They cannot be injected with reckless abandon, and they do carry ethical concerns, such as the embryonic variety that can only be obtained from blastocysts or the tissues of early fetuses.
Stem cells have an interesting history, a wide variety of abilities, a wide variety of current uses and benefits, and a promising future of further advancement in the field. But they also have a plethora of risks and disadvantages, and ethical concerns. They are far from fully understood, and to achieve that, every aspect of them must be observed.
HISTORY
Stem cells have been used and studied for over fifty years. In 1957, there was a successful first attem...

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...ccessful enough to progress to mainstream medicine, along with the myriads of other proposed uses of stem cells. For now, however, even what we have is highly advanced compared to just a couple of decades ago. Despite the risks, protests, setbacks, and concerns, stem cells are undoubtedly a very popular and well known topic.
CONCLUSION
Stem cells come in countless varieties, from embryonic to iPSCs to hematopoietic, and they can become any other kind of cell in the body. In their lengthy history, stem cells have gone from poorly understood and mostly unknown to a rapidly growing field generating massive amounts of interest. We have already benefitted in multiple ways from stem cells. Despite the risks and controversy, there are still many potential uses for stem cells in the future. Perhaps one day, we’ll unlock all the secrets of these mysterious, potent cells.